Analog Devices ships Dolby Virtual Speaker chipset

CHIP FIRM Analog Devices will be the first to introduce a silicon version of Dolby Virtual Speaker technology, the firm said today.

The Melody SHARC Ultra also includes Dolby Headphone technology and will be used in digital TVs, mini-disk systems, video game consoles, DVD video players, portable DVD players and other entertainment systems, said Dolby.

The chipset will supply decode 6.1 and 5.1 channel digital audio formats, using an Analog Devices' DSP (digital signal processing) technology.

Soon, Cyberlink will release the PowerDVD XP 4.0, said Dolby, which also supports Dolby Virtual Speaker technology, but for PCs.

In fact, Dolby claims it's been able to reproduce the effect of five or six speakers just using headphones.

A representative of Dolby said that for reasons of noise and space, many people can't integrate a full 5.1 surround speaker system in their bedrooms or living rooms, but the Virtual Speaker technology and headphone will allow people to listen to this type of sound.

Without upsetting the neighbours. µ