New Dolby AC-3 Encoder Uses TI DSP Platform

The next generation Dolby Digital Professional Encoder will use the TI TMS320C67x floating-point DSP chip as its processor. The new DSP will permit the AC-3 (as we broadcasters know it), or as it is known otherwise, Dolby Digital, encoder to have 3 times the audio channel density of the existing encoder.

Previous versions of the encoder used a 24-bit fixed-point DSP chip, and required a separate chip for each stereo pair, but a single new floating point chip will handle three stereo pairs.

The new encoder will also feature Dolby Digital Plus encoding capability. Dolby Digital Plus is a new advanced audio coding technology that is intended to become part of the new Extended VSB (EVSB) service being considered by ATSC.