Remembering Ray Dolby, Audio and Video Pioneer

For most people, “Dolby” is just a light on their home entertainment system. For working audio and video professionals, the Dolby Company founded by Ray Dolby has been the backbone of technically superior products and technologies for over 4 decades. Ray died September 12th 2013 at the age of 80.

I first experienced Ray Dolby’s genius in the early 1970’s. At the time, tape based audio players and recorders had limited dynamic rage and audible “hiss”. Dolby offered the early processing features needed to expand the fidelity and reduce noise in the studio and home. This early awareness of merging technology and solving practical problems would be Dolby’s focus for many decades to come.

As a chairman of one of the Audio Engineering Society chapters I experienced personally for many years, Ray being very active in promoting the highest quality engineering practices and bringing new people into the world of professional audio and video. It would be impossible to touch on all of Ray’s life accomplishments in a single blog or even a book. We simply wish to thank one of our industries most influential pioneers for his great work and service. (View an interview with Ray from the AES website).

Thanks Dr. Ray, your work will live on for generations!

-Ed Vogt

Today Dolby is primarily a licensing company and still very centric to the broadcast and entertainment world’s advancing technologies. EAR has been a Dolby reseller since 1978.