Company releases enhanced Dolby E suite with broad platform support

MINNETONKA, MN — Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc., a leader in production software for motion picture, broadcast surround sound and consumer electronics applications, announced today a new 2.1 release of their SurCode for Dolby E family of software encoders and decoders. They also announced a new 2.0 release of their SurCode for Dolby E Stream Player purpose-built for Apple’s Final Cut Pro.

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Company demos new reference loudness control solution along with new product releases

Company experiences record breaking sales of loudness control solutions

MINNETONKA, MN – Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc., a leader in production software for motion picture, broadcast surround sound and consumer electronics applications, reported today that their installed base for the AudioTools Server automated audio processor line has outstripped all projections for FY 2011 and sales are setting records for the first half of FY 2012. more

Minnetonka Audio Provides SurCode for Dolby Digital 5.1 Technology to DVEO

MINNETONKA, MN - Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc., a leader in production software for motion picture, broadcast surround sound and consumer electronics applications, announced today that DVEO, a provider of professional broadcast quality subsystems since 1982, has entered into an OEM agreement to license SurCode for Dolby(r) Digital 5.1 encoder and decoder technology from Minnetonka Audio Software.

SurCode for Dolby Digital 5.1 creates fully compliant Dolby Digital AC-3 files from multichannel WAV or AIFF sources. As a Dolby-certified product, the encoded audio files are compatible with all Dolby Digital-branded decoders, in either software or hardware versions. DVEO, the broadcast division of Computer Modules, Inc., has licensed the OEM version of SurCode for Dolby Digital as an option for their MultiStreamer(tm) and MPEG Gearbox product families of broadcast quality multichannel MPEG-2 to H.264 streaming transcoders.

"We are proud to have DVEO as our newest OEM partner," said Eric Jorde, North American Business Development Manager for Minnetonka Audio. "DVEO needed to add Dolby Digital encoding to their powerful video transcoding products and they chose Minnetonka Audio to meet this requirement. This agreement creates a complete solution for standards-compliant video streaming."

The MultiStreamer and MPEG Gearbox transcoders capture various video formats and send multiple simultaneous IP streams to iOS, CDNs, and remote video capture devices. DVEO will enhance their transcoders by offering a reliable solution for converting audio files to AC-3, so they chose SurCode for Dolby Digital 5.1 OEM.

"Minnetonka Audio is a well-established audio company with an excellent reputation," stated Scott Grizzle, Product Manager for DVEO. "We are very happy to license their plug-ins and SDK, which enable best-of-class encoding. MultiStreamer and MPEG Gearbox customers now have the option of transcoding their audio into high quality AC-3 via SurCode for Dolby Digital 5.1."

DVEO will demonstrate the new SurCode for Dolby Digital integration at the upcoming NAB show in Las Vegas. For more information on DVEO and their MultiStreamer and MPEG Gearbox product family of streaming transcoders, visit www.dveo.com or visit NAB booth SU2114. To learn more about Minnetonka Audio's OEM licensing solutions for media production and post, along with all of Minnetonka Audio's products, visit booth SL7706 at the NAB show, head to minnetonkaaudio.com on the web, or call Minnetonka Audio at 1-952-449-6481.

About Minnetonka Audio Software
An award winning solutions provider for motion picture, video, broadcast, game, and optical disc production, Minnetonka Audio Software creates essential technology for top media professionals around the world. Their SurCode, discWelder, AWE and revolutionary AudioTools Server product lines broadly support the CD, DVD, BD and DTV standards, and represent the definitive leader in OEM codec licensing, as well as file-based QC and loudness control. Spanning over two decades of operation and based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. has a subsidiary in Germany in addition to an international network of distributors and channel partners who share their commitment to quality and service.

SurCode for Dolby E, SurCode, discWelder, AWE, AudioTools Server and the Minnetonka Audio Software logo are trademarks of Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Minnetonka Audio Software will distribute & resellbellwether dialog loudness benchmark

MINNETONKA, MN – Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc., a leader in production software for motion picture, broadcast surround sound and consumer electronics applications, announced today that they have finalized a worldwide agreement with California-based Dolby Laboratories, Inc. to distribute and resell the Dolby(r) Media Meter 2 product.

Dolby Media Meter 2 is a software tool that measures loudness in audio content for broadcast, packaged media, cinema, VOD and games. Differences in audio levels between programs and channels or between programs and commercials can cause major annoyances to TV viewers. These differences have proven much easier to hear than to measure. Dolby Media Meter 2 addresses this issue with award-winning Dialogue Intelligence(tm) technology. Dialogue Intelligence automatically detects speech in the audio track and only then measures loudness. Dolby Media Meter 2 also supports ITU-R BS.1770 and the EBU R-128 loudness measurement specifications.

Dolby Media Meter 2 runs as a stand alone, cross-platform application and as a plug-in for AudioSuite, RTAS, and VST formats. To better address the needs of the post-production community, Minnetonka Audio has created a new, all-inclusive product bundle that gathers together Dolby Media Meter 2 with SurCode for Dolby E Encoder and Decoder plus SurCode for Dolby E Stream Player. The SurCode for Dolby E Master Suite package replaces the existing Production Suite bundle. Dolby Media Meter 2, along with the new Master Suite, are available to channel partners and customers through a fully automated, online order fulfillment system.

As experts at surround encoding and decoding, dealing with correct dialnorm settings has been a vital part of Dolby Media Meter integration into AudioTools Server from the very beginning. Markus Hintz, Director of Global Sales and Business Development at Minnetonka Audio, reflected on the intrinsic value of Dolby Media Meter 2. “Dolby Media Meter is the most comprehensive loudness metering tool on the market, a solid and unobtrusive multi-platform work horse, with varied and unique measurement types. Dolby Media Meter is also the only assessment tool that can measure loudness within encoded audio and easily point to discrepancies between metadata settings and measured loudness.”

“Loudness metering and encoding are two essential steps to a successfully encoded program,” Hintz continued, “and Minnetonka Audio has an interest in assisting content producers to correctly encode their material, which hinges on correct dialnorm settings. Since software metering and software-based encoding products are typically used together, it can only benefit our customer base now that Minnetonka is able to offer a comprehensive solution. We are proud to be selling the pioneer in loudness measurement, bundled with our market leading encoding products.”

Dolby Media Meter is available for immediate delivery from Minnetonka Audio resellers and distributors and also directly from their eShop. Minnetonka Audio will be demonstrating the Dolby Media Meter 2 package at the upcoming NAB convention in April. For in-depth information on Dolby Media Meter 2 and how it integrates into the AudioTools Server family of automated QC and loudness control solutions for media production and post, visit booth SL7706 at the NAB show, head to minnetonkaaudio dot com on the web or, call Minnetonka Audio at 1-952-449-6481 or 49-2162-1062622.
About Minnetonka Audio Software
An award winning solutions provider for motion picture, video, broadcast, game, and optical disc production, Minnetonka Audio Software creates essential technology for top media professionals around the world. Their SurCode, discWelder, AWE and revolutionary AudioTools Server product lines broadly support the CD, DVD, BD and DTV standards, and represent the definitive leader in OEM codec licensing, as well as file-based QC and loudness control. Spanning over two decades of operation and based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. has a subsidiary in Germany in addition to an international network of distributors and channel partners who share their commitment to quality and service.

SurCode for Dolby E, SurCode, discWelder, AWE, AudioTools Server and the Minnetonka Audio Software logo are trademarks of Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Minnetonka Audio Software provides Dolby E OEM codec technology to AmberFin Ltd.

MINNETONKA, MN — Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc., a leader in production software for motion picture, broadcast surround sound and consumer electronics applications, announced today that UK–based AmberFin, a leading developer of file-based media ingest, transcoding and quality control solutions has entered into an OEM agreement to license Dolby™ E encoder and decoder technology from Minnetonka Audio.
SurCode for Dolby E is a complete, high performance file-based tool kit for Dolby E production. Available as a full encoder/decoder OEM application suite, SurCode for Dolby E enables fast processing and management of file-based Dolby E assets and metadata from within AmberFin’s iCR family of modular software products.
“We’re happy to extend our Dolby E OEM offering to AmberFin and broaden our partnership beyond Dolby Digital,” said John Schur, President of Minnetonka Audio. Markus Hintz, Director of Global Sales and Business Development for Minnetonka Audio, stressed the ease of integration afforded by their OEM offerings. “We are proud to join forces with AmberFin, enabling them to quickly add full Dolby E compatibility to their iCR range of products, including their new Unified Quality Control (UQC) module. AmberFin UQC with SurCode for Dolby E will dramatically increase QC workflow efficiency.” UQC combines multiple tools for baseband checks during ingest, file-based post-ingest QC and global supervised QC, including annotation and mark-up.
After researching the available solutions for file–based Dolby E processing, AmberFin decided on SurCode for Dolby E. “We’ve been working with Minnetonka for a long time and we’re really excited about introducing their Dolby E solution into iCR. Minnetonka is a great partner whose passion for quality and value matches our own,” said Bruce Devlin, CTO of AmberFin. Devlin tapped Minnetonka Audio’s deep codec knowledge to improve their user experience. “iCR customers will now be able to create workflows that seamlessly encode and decode Dolby E in files containing mixed audio formats and virtually any video format. These can then be fed into AmberFin’s unique Unified QC solution to validate metadata and transcoding to create the most trustworthy integrated system in the industry today.”
AmberFin will be demonstrating the new SurCode for Dolby E integration at the upcoming NAB convention in April. For in–depth information on AmberFin, Ltd. and their iCR family of products, visit www.amberfin.com or visit NAB booth SU9005. To learn more about Minnetonka Audio’s OEM licensing solutions for media production and post, along with all of Minnetonka Audio’s products, visit booth SL7706 at the NAB show, head to minnetonkaaudio dot com on the web or, call Minnetonka Audio at 1-952-449-6481.

About Minnetonka Audio Software
An award winning solutions provider for motion picture, video, broadcast, game, and optical disc production, Minnetonka Audio Software creates essential technology for top media professionals around the world. Their SurCode, discWelder, AWE and revolutionary AudioTools Server product lines broadly support the CD, DVD, BD and DTV standards, and represent the definitive leader in OEM codec licensing, as well as file–based QC and loudness control. Spanning over two decades of operation and based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. has a subsidiary in Germany in addition to an international network of distributors and channel partners who share their commitment to quality and service.

SurCode for Dolby E, SurCode, discWelder, AWE, AudioTools Server and the Minnetonka Audio Software logo are trademarks of Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Company demos reference implementation of ITU & ATSC loudness control for CALM Act



MINNETONKA, MN — Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc., a leader in production software for motion picture, broadcast surround sound and consumer electronics applications, will be exhibiting at the upcoming National Association of Broadcasters convention, demonstrating their loudness control solution. AudioTools Loudness Control Server (ALCS) represents the state of the art in loudness control technology that preserves artistic production intent. Because material is handled out of real time, the data essence can be processed to optimize both fidelity and CALM Act compliance.

“Streaming–mode loudness control is the sensible approach for playout to air as a last line of defense,” said John Schur, President of Minnetonka Audio. “However, the specifications dictate loudness control based on the entire program. Having access to the whole file means that ALCS can optimally process audio essence that requires it, while passing through material that already conforms to the recommended practice.”

Already in service providing automated, high fidelity measurement and correction at dozens of broadcaster sites across the European Union, AudioTools Loudness Control Server is solving loudness control problems stateside as well. Jayson Tomlin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Minnetonka Audio, observed that, “What was formerly a mandated issue only in the EU has now become critical path, here in the US with the FCC enforcement of the CALM Act, and real–time solutions, whether in a DAW or air chain, are not the best place to control loudness.”

“Dynamic range control is not loudness control,” Tomlin continued. “As the EBU R128 docs state, ‘Dynamic compression is…an artistic tool and not a loudness weapon.’ Since a real–time solution cannot capture the whole history of a program, fidelity usually suffers when you attempt CALM Act conformance with dynamics packages. In fact, dynamic range compression will cause your program to actually play quieter once it’s been adjusted.”

AudioTools Loudness Control Server’s programmatic, file–based approach avoids the pitfalls of manual and real–time measurement, so correction is always compliant without forcing the audio to conform to preset dynamics envelopes. AudioTools server also automates QC chores and seamlessly interoperates with Dolby E, MXF, QuickTime and other broadcast standards. Additionally, support for XML and SOAP protocols allows ATS to communicate with a facility’s existing asset management systems and workflow managers.

Minnetonka Audio will be demonstrating AudioTools Server configurations at the upcoming NAB convention in April. For in–depth information on Minnetonka Audio’s entry level to enterprise loudness control solutions for media production and post, visit booth SL7706 at the NAB show, head to minnetonkaaudio dot com on the web, or call Minnetonka Audio at 1-952-449-6481.


About Minnetonka Audio Software
An award winning solutions provider for motion picture, video, broadcast, game, and optical disc production, Minnetonka Audio Software creates essential technology for top media professionals around the world. Their SurCode, discWelder, AWE and revolutionary AudioTools Server product lines broadly support the CD, DVD, BD and DTV standards, and represent the definitive leader in OEM codec licensing, as well as file–based QC and loudness control. Spanning over two decades of operation and based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. has a subsidiary in Germany in addition to an international network of distributors and channel partners who share their commitment to quality and service.

AudioTools Loudness Control Server, AudioTools QC Server, AudioTools Server, ATS, SurCode, discWelder, AWE and the Minnetonka Audio Software logo are trademarks of Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.


Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc.
17113 Minnetonka Blvd
Minnetonka MN 55345
www.minnetonkaaudio.com

Company Will Launch, Demo & Preview New Professional Solutions

San Francisco — For the 129th Audio Engineering Society Convention, the world’s professional audio community will converge on the Moscone Center for the latest developments in the business of sound production. Sonic Studio, LLC will be exhibiting, and will launch new products, demonstrate new releases, and provide a glimpse at future technologies of interest. more

Company Set to Launch, Demo & Preview New Professional Solutions

London — Converging on Hammersmith via the A4 for this spring’s 128th Audio Engineering Society Convention, the world’s professional audio community will gather for the latest updates on the business of sound production. Sonic Studio, LLC will be at the UK show to launch new products, demonstrate new releases, and provide a glimpse at future technologies of interest. more

Company’s partners showcase Amarra as their ultra–fidelity source

Las Vegas – January 7, 2010 — Gear, gadgets and innovative technology will take center stage at the 43rd annual Consumer Electronic Show. Sonic Studio, LLC will be exhibiting at both CES and concurrently at T.H.E. Show, improving musical enjoyment in conjunction with several partners who have chosen Sonic Studio’s technology to complement their products.

Companies staging public demonstrations that leverage Sonic Studio expertise include: more