Dolby Audio Support Clarified For PS3, Wii

Representatives from Dolby Laboratories have announced the the upcoming Nintendo Wii console will use Dolby Pro Logic II audio technology, while Sony's PlayStation 3 platform will feature the company's more advanced Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. The PlayStation 3 will feature interactive Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound for games. In addition, the console will feature Dolby Digital and Dolby TrueHD for decoding up to 7.1 channels for Blu-ray movie playback, providing discrete multichannel surround sound for home theater systems that are equipped with Dolby technology. The Dolby Pro Logic II technology supported by the Wii, while not offering the pure digital audio of Dolby Digital, is still a universal format capable of 5.1 surround sound that's compatible with all stereo and matrix-encoded surround software. “In the age of high definition, games need to look and sound better than ever before,” said John Griffin, games marketing director at Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital 5.1 will bring new levels of emotion and realism to movies and games. We think people will be amazed once they connect their PlayStation 3 to an audio/video receiver or home theater system.” Looking to the Wii, Griffin offered, "Dolby Pro Logic II technology ensures that the Wii console can offer rich, immersive surround sound, which is essential to a great gaming experience. We're looking forward to hearing how great Nintendo's games sound at launch." The PlayStation 3 is expected to launch in Japan on November 11, with a North American release on November 17. In addition, Nintendo recently confirmed that the Wii will be available in North America on November 19, following with a launch in Japan on December 2 and in Europe on December 8.