The Rizla+ Dutch TT will be a milestone for TV broadcasts of MotoGP. During the racing weekend at Assen, tests for the implementation of Dolby Surround audio quality will be performed for the first time ever, in order to check all the systems for a first full TV broadcast of our sport using this technology at the Cinzano British Grand Prix on July 9th.
Following months of studies and analysis with production companies and networks, Dorna TV is now moving forward to improve the audio quality of MotoGP broadcasts. Initially, the audio format that will be tested in Assen and then used in Donington Park is stereo Dolby Surround Prologic, although as all manufacturers have agreed on Dolby Digital 5.1 as the audio standard for DVD, this second system is the ultimate goal for the future of MotoGP live broadcasts.
Dorna is working closely together with Dolby to make this project a successful one. Both companies are putting together their technical resources and expertise. Dolby has a lot of background information from the use of these stereo formats in commercial movies and they have also had a few experiences in live sport transmissions.
For the Cinzano British Grand Prix, 50 microphones placed in the circuit will capture all the different sounds and bring them to the spectator at home to have the same sensations as if at the circuit.
These microphones will beam the signal through 15 km of cables and take them to the Master Control Unit, where an audio processing system that can manage up to 64 signal inputs will mix and process them to obtain four basic audio signals (front left, front right, center and back/surround). These ones will be immediately sent to a Dolby encoder that will convert them into a encoded stereo Dolby Surround signal.
The audio signal, together with the video signal, will be transmitted via satellite as for a conventional broadcast. Each of the four audio channels available in the satellite transmission will transport a different signal:
Ch.1 Standard Mono International Sound
Ch.2 Standard Mono Commentary mixed with International Sound
Ch.3 International Encoded Dolby Surround Channel Left
Ch.4 International Encoded Dolby Surround Channel Right
This means that every TV network broadcasting the MotoGP event can choose between three options: channel 1, channel 2 or the stereo mix of channels 3 plus 4.
At home, those spectators that have a Dolby Surround decoder will be able to fully enjoy this new experience for MotoGP. Currently one out of five homes in Europe is equipped with this system.
INFO 94. 19-06-2000
DORNA COMMUNICATIONS