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Work is the most important thing in life.

Do you agree with the statement? What is your point of view?

Write 200—250 words.

Use the plan below:

– make an introduction (state the problem)

– express your personal opinion giving 2—3 reasons to support it

– express an opposing opinion giving 1—2 reasons for it

– explain why you do not agree with the opposing opinion

– write a conclusion restating your position

CHECK POINT

18. Complete the sentences choosing from the words in brackets. Use the information you have learnt from Unit 1, Part 2.

1) Though some advances introduced by the film studios in the 1950s were just … (gimmicks, failures, digital schemes) to attract viewers, other ones eventually developed into significant improvements.

2) The stereo recordings of a … (child, ping – pong ball, football) bouncing between speakers encouraged the growth of the modern consumer surround sound.

3) In the early 1970s, the … (research, experiment, record) into the consumer surround sound led to an analog four – channel configuration called Quad.

4) The «LFE channel» invented by Dolby specialists in the 1970s really (decreased, made, increased) dynamic range in cinematic configurations.

5) In the name «5.1» the». 1» stands for the LFE channel because it carries only approximately (one-third, one-fifth, one-tenth) of the frequency range of the other channels.

Text 3. Part 3. The 1990s – today

PRE-READING

1. Guess the meaning of the following words from the text.

Organization, information, communication, optimum, allocation, classical, material, effect, result, document, accompany, professional, standard, factual, industry, recommendation, modern, mix, method, equally, film, production, role, studio, number, laser, disc, encoded, industry, theater, mass, public, manufacturer, multitrack, component, console, monitor, integral, automobile, gadget, content, compromise.

2. Think of some more words or phrases to supplement the list above.

3. Think of some achievements in the sphere of sound production that have come in sight over the past 30 years. How have they influenced ordinary customers’ lives?

SUBJECT AND LANGUAGE STUDY

Reading

4. Skim the text. Are the following statements true or false?

1) The ITU carried out research to determine the optimal position of the speaker in a 5.1 system.

2) The ITU document «Recommendation for Multichannel Stereophonic Sound System With and Without Accompanying Picture» came out in 1990.

3) In the 1990s, at least five major film digital surround sound encoding formats made appearance.

4) The DVD appeared in the middle 90s.

5) Using high definition formats to allocate content surround sound producers can do without clipping and sonic compromise.

In the early 1990s, the organization that is responsible for information and communication technologies throughout the world known as the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) conducted research aimed at determining the optimum speaker allocation in a 5.1 arrangement. The research was based mainly on the classical music as source material and the rear speakers were described only as «effects» or «ambience» speakers. As a result, a document entitled «Recommendation for Multichannel Stereophonic Sound System With and Without Accompanying Picture» was issued in 1994. Actually, professionals widely accepted it as a factual industry standard. The ITU Recommendation, however, may not be considered to be perfectly suitable for many music applications, since it came out long before the appearance of modern surround sound mixing methods which treat all the five speakers as equally important.

The 1990s were featured by development and proliferation of digital audio systems. Employment of digital audio for film production was practically becoming a commonplace; the role of digital audio workstations (DAWs) in recording studios all over the world was getting more and more important. There were plans for creating a digital television broadcast system that gradually would mature into High Definition Television (HDTV). Researchers made a focus on embedding surround sound into the second-generation digital audio systems that were growing in number successfully. In that period, at least three major film digital surround sound encoding formats saw the light of the day. These were Sony SDDS ^TM, Dolby ^R Digital ^TM (technically called «AC-3»), and DTS ^TM. Moreover, the introduction of laser discs (with their ability to carry encoded surround sound) greatly encouraged advance of a nascent industry known as home theater. People began to add supplementary subwoofers and surround speakers to their home listening sets.

In the mid – 1990s, the DVD was released. It provided the mass public with a medium delivering surround sound right into the comfort of their homes. Audio manufacturers started offering different surround sound tools that whetted the consumer’s appetite for high quality digital multitrack systems and a variety of components such as surround – ready mixing consoles, monitoring units and effects devices have found their way into people’s living rooms as well as into professional studios.

Today, surrounds sound is an integral part of home theater and has also made its appearance in the automobile. Multichannel audio is used in the digital television broadcast, gaming gadgets, and in the Internet (through streaming codecs). High definition formats (like SA – CD Multichannel and DVD – Audio) enable the surround sound producer to allocate content without clipping and sonic compromise. This makes their advent one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of the sound production.

Essential glossary

• aimed at – нацеленный на

• allocation – расположение, расстановка

• source – источник

• ambience – окружение, обстановка, среда

• suitable – подходящий, соответствующий

• application – приложение, (прикладная) система

• proliferation – распространение

• employment – использование

• commonplace – привычное явление, обычное дело

• gradually – постепенно

• to encode – кодировать, шифровать

• nascent – рождающийся, в стадии возникновения, появляющийся

• supplementary – дополнительный, добавочный

• medium (pl. media) – носитель

• a variety of – разнообразие

• integral part – (неотъемлемая) составляющая

• codec – кодек (компрессор-декомпрессор) данных

• high definition format – формат с высоким разрешением

• allocate – размещать, распределять

• content – содержание

• clipping – ограничение (сигнала), отсечение

5. Scan the article and use the words in brackets to complete the statements.

1) The document «Recommendation for Multichannel Stereophonic Sound System With and Without Accompanying Picture» was issued in 1994 as a result of the… conducted by the ITU.

2) The 1990s are characterized by development and proliferation of…

3) In the 1990s, at least three main film digital surround sound encoding formats arrived on the scene: …, Dolby ^R Digital ^TM (technically called «AC-3»), and DTS ^TM.

4) The DVD, which appeared in the mid – 1990s, provided the mass public with a… bringing surround sound right into their homes.

5) Today, high definition formats enable the surround sound producer to allocate content without clipping and…

(digital audio systems, Sony SDDS^TM, sonic compromise, research, medium)

6. Read the article in detail to find the answers to the questions below.

1) What was the purpose of the ITU research done in the 1990s?

2) Why may the ITU recommendation not be ideal for many music applications?

3) What was one of the main characteristics of the 1990s regarding the sound production technologies?

4) What was the focus in the exploration into surround sound throughout the 1990s?

5) What event served as a springboard to a newly – born industry called home theater?

6) What fact may be considered as one of the most important achievements proving that surround sound has finally come of age?

7. Find the English equivalents of the following words and expressions in the text.

Отвечающий, ответственный за; проводить научное исследование; главным образом; исходный материал; идеально подходящий; одинаково важные; использование цифрового аудио; по меньшей мере; появились на свет; способность нести закодированный объёмный звук; цифровое телевизионное вещание; их появление; одно из самых значительных достижений.

Grammar revision: comparative and superlative adjectives

The comparative form of adjectives is —er or more… The superlative form is —est or the most

We use —er and —est for one-syllable words (short adjectives).

High-higher-the highest, cheap-cheaper-the cheapest

We use more… and the most… for longer adjectives.

Difficult-more difficult-the most difficult, expensive-more expensive-the most expensive

Some words are irregular: good-better-the best, bad-worse-the worst, and others.

8. Use the adjectives given below in the comparative and superlative degrees. Mind the grammar rules. Some of the words are irregular.

Example: suitable – more suitable – the most suitable

Important, long, successful, little, high, good, remarkable, far, modern, popular, significant, short, meaningful, advanced.

Present continuous and present perfect (simple).

The present continuous is be + verb + ing (am/is/are + verb + ing)

We use the present continuous tense.

1) To talk about an action that is happening at the moment of speaking

Don’t enter the studio. They are recording a song at the moment.

2) To describe a temporary situation

The engineers are working at the new audio scheme this month.

3) To talk about changes occurring around now

The role of this digital audio arrangement in recording studios all over the world is getting more and more important.

4) When we are irritated (with always)

He is always listening to loud music in the evenings.

5) When we talk about arrangements and plans

They are trying out the new device tomorrow.

The present perfect simple is have + past participle.

We use the present perfect tense.

1) To talk about actions and states that started in the past and continue up to the present

He has been a sound engineer for ten years.

2) When we see the result of a past action now

Look! They’ve left a terrible mess in the laboratory.

3) When we talk about repeated actions in the past continuing in the present

The company has taken part in every exhibition so far.

4) To talk about our life experience

I have never visited Disney Land.

5) To say how many times we have done something.

That is the second time they’ve won the award.

6) With superlatives

This is the worst film I have ever seen.

Note that we often use these adverbs with the present perfect: yet, since, ever since, already, ever, never, still, before, this morning, this week, this month, this year.

9. In the following sentences, change the present continuous to the present perfect. Translate the sentences into Russian.

Example:

The scientists are conducting research to determine optimum speaker placement.

The scientists have conducted research to determine optimum speaker placement.

1) In the experiment, the researchers are describing the component as «effects» or «ambience» part only.

2) Gradually, manufacturers are accepting this recommendation as a de facto industry standard.

3) Usage of this audio digital format is becoming a commonplace.

4) Some of these technological advances are obviously maturing into meaningful improvements.

5) The laboratory engineers are making a focus on incorporating the invention into the digital audio systems.

6) The new generation audio systems are growing in number successfully.

7) Modern surround sound tools are certainly whetting the consumer’s appetite for adding extra units to their home listening environments.

8) The new device is also finding its way into gaming consoles.

Vocabulary work

10. Write a list of key words for text 3. Compare your list with the classmates’ key words. Use them in your own sentences.

TALKING AND DISCUSSING POINT

11. Explain these words and expressions from the text. Paraphrase them; give synonyms or/and antonyms to them where possible.

Conduct research, industry standard, equally important, proliferation of digital audio systems, become a commonplace, gradually, nascent industry, whet appetite, professional studio, integral part, enable.

12. Write a list of five questions to the text. Exchange your list with your classmate and answer their questions.

13. Think of a plan to the article. Make a summary of the article according to your plan.

14. What information about audio systems today would you add to the article?

15. Talk to your classmate. Express your attitude to the following quotation:

Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.

Christian Lous Lange

Report your idea to the class. Discuss, compare and contrast your points of view.

WRITING

16. You want to enter a short story competition. The rules say that your story must start or end with the words: «There is music everywhere…» The story should contain 120—180 words (FCE Writing).

17. Make a report, do an electronic presentation or a project on one of the topics:

– The International Telecommunications Union

– Development and usage of digital audio systems

– High Definition Television (HDTV)

– Home theater (home cinema). History and later development

– DVD format

– Audio systems today

CHECK POINT

18. What have you learnt from the text in Unit 1, Part 3 about the following?

– The document «Recommendation for Multichannel Stereophonic Sound System With and Without Accompanying Picture»

– Achievements in the audio and video practices throughout the 1990s

– Surround sound systems in common use today

Unit 2
The history of Dolby Laboratories

Text 4. Dolby Laboratories. Historical events and personalities

PRE-READING

1. Name some words and expressions related to the subject.

2. What do you know about Dolby Laboratories? Can you answer these questions?

1) When and where was the company founded?

2) Who started it?

3) What does Dolby Labs do?

4) Name some of the company’s most significant achievements.

5) What Dolby formats do you know and use?

Dolby Laboratories (often called Dolby Labs for short) is an American company which specializes in audio encoding/compression and audio noise reduction. Dolby Labs was founded by an American Ray Dolby in London in 1965. In 1976, it was moved to San Francisco, the USA. The first issue it manufactured was a simple compander, Type A Dolby Noise Reduction. The compander was distinguished from the others of the kind by capability to process only the quiet sounds that would be veiled by tape noise. Henry Kloss (a prominent American engineer and businessman) persuaded Ray Dolby to produce a consumer version of his noise reduction. In 1968, Dolby Company made an introduction of a compounding system Type B.

Dolby also searched to develop film sound. The company’s history writes:

Upon investigation, Dolby found that many of the limitations in optical sound stemmed directly from its significantly high background noise. To filter this noise, the high-frequency response of theater playback systems was deliberately curtailed… To make matters worse, to increase dialogue intelligibility over such systems, sound mixers were recording soundtracks with so much high-frequency pre-emphasis that high distortion resulted.

A Clockwork Orange (1971) was the first film with Dolby sound that utilized Dolby noise reduction on all pre-mixes and masters, but with traditional optical soundtrack on release prints. Callan (1974) became the first film with a Dolby encoded optical soundtrack. In 1975 Dolby introduced Dolby Stereo including a noise reduction system as well as more audio channels (it could have additional center and surround channels matrixed from the left and right). The first film with A Dolby – encoded stereo optical soundtrack was Lisztomania (1975), but it was only made in an LCR (Left-Center-Right) encoding technique. The first movie containing the true LCRS (Left-Center-Right – Surround) encoded soundtrack was called A Star is Born in 1976. Having reworked the system a bit for home viewing, Dolby released Dolby Surround, which only extracted a surround channel, and the more advanced Dolby Pro Logic, which actually was the domestic counterpart of the theatrical Dolby Stereo.

Dolby engineers also developed a digital surround compression scheme for the movie. Dolby Stereo Digital (now simply known as Dolby Digital) was first encoded on the 1992 film Batman Returns. Another Dolby format, AC-3 (the film Clear and Present Danger was offered at the home theater market on a laserdisc in 1995) did not make much profit in the consumer market and eventually became part of the DVD specification. Dolby Digital was included in the High Definition Television (Advanced Television Systems Television, HDTV and ATSC respectively) standard of the USA, DVD-players, and a lot of satellite-TV and cable – TV receivers. TV series The Simpsons used the Dolby digital surround sound compression scheme.

In 2005, the corporation offered its shares on the New York Stock Exchange, claiming to become public under the symbol DLB. The same year it celebrated the 40-anniversary.

In 2007, the company presented Dolby Volume at the International Consumer Electronics Show. It provides users with an opportunity to keep up a steady volume while switching from one channel to another.

On June 18, 2010, Dolby announced the arrival of Dolby Surround 7.1, which became widespread in the world market. The first movie released with this format was Pixar’s Toy Story 3. Later 50 more releases came out using the format. In April 2012, there were 3,600 Dolby Surround 7.1 movie theaters. In the same month a new cinematic technology, Dolby Atmos, was introduced by the company.

Essential glossary

• reduction – уменьшение, сокращение

• found – основать

• compander – компандер, расширитель

• capability – способность

• process – обрабатывать (данные, информацию)

• veil – скрывать, маскировать

• consumer – потребитель

• investigation – исследование

• frequency response – частотная характеристика

• intelligibility – разборчивость, отчётливость, внятность

• pre-emphasis – предыскажение, предварительная коррекция

• distortion – искажение, деформация

• utilize – использовать

• pre-mix – предварительное микширование

• master – первый оригинал

• home viewing – домашний просмотр

• domestic – домашний

• counterpart – аналог, копия, двойник

• profit – выгода, прибыль

• satellite – спутник

• receiver – приёмник, принимающее устройство

• share – акция

• keep up – поддерживать

SUBJECT AND LANGUAGE STUDY

Reading

3. Scan the text to finish the sentences.

1) The first issue produced by the company was…

2) A notable American engineer and businessperson Henry Kloss talked Ray Dolby into producing…

3) The first film with Dolby sound that used Dolby noise reduction on all pre-mixes and masters, although with traditional optical soundtrack on release prints was…

4 The film A Star is Born contained the true…

5) In 2010, Dolby announced the arrival of…

4. Read the text in more detail to answer the questions.

1) What does Dolby Labs specialize in?

2) Who established the company?

3) What was the main feature that set Dolby’s compander, Type A Dolby Noise Reduction, apart from the others?

4) What conclusion was made by Dolby’s analysts of the limitations in optical sound?

5) What was the first movie that used Dolby noise reduction, though not in the final version?

6) What film was the first real LCRS soundtrack encoded on?

7) Where was the digital surround sound compression scheme employed?

8) Which system enables consumers to maintain an invariable volume while switching through program elements or channels?

9) When was Dolby Surround 7.1 introduced?

5. Find the English equivalents of the following words and expressions in the text.

Обыкновенный компандер; выдающийся американский инженер и бизнесмен; сильный фоновый шум; немного переделав (изменив) систему; не принёс большой прибыли на потребительском рынке; соответственно; выставила свои акции на Нью-Йоркской фондовой бирже; 40-я годовщина (со дня основания).

6. Match the films in the left column with the new techniques encoded on them.

Grammar revision: the passive voice 2

We use the Passive Voice to say what happens to the subject:

1) when the agent of the action is unimportant, unknown or obvious from the context:

A few new studios have been built this year.

2) if we want to sound more formal or polite:

The document hasn’t been sent. (Instead of: You haven’t sent the document.)

3) when the action itself is more important than who or what does it (in technological processes, reports, newspaper headings, manuals, instructions, regulations etc.):

Dolby Stereo Digital was first encoded in 1992.

4) to put more emphasis on the agent:

The awarding ceremony will be opened by the company president.

We form the passive voice with the verb to be and the past participle of the main verb:

be (is/was/have been etc.) + the past participle (made/ washed/done etc.)

In 2012, a new cinematic technology, Dolby Atmos, was introduced by the company. (past simple passive)

A new digital surround sound compression scheme is being developed by Dolby engineers for this movie. (present continuous passive)

See Unit 1 for more information about the passive voice.

7. Rewrite these sentences in the Passive Voice.

1) Ray Dolby founded the company in Great Britain in 1965.

2) In 1976, he moved it to the United States.

3) Henry Kloss of KLH persuaded Dolby to manufacture a consumer version of his noise reduction.

4) A Clockwork Orange was the first film that used Dolby noise reduction (though only on the pre – mixes and masters, not on release prints).

5) In 1975, Dolby Labs introduced Dolby Stereo.

6) Dolby specialists also developed a digital surround sound compression scheme for the cinema.

7) In 2010, Dolby announced the arrival of Dolby Surround 7.1.

8. Turn the sentences from Active into Passive. Omit the agent where it is possible.

1) The music company is producing a new video.

2) When did the company introduce the cinematic technology Dolby Atmos?

3) The company specialists have evolved an innovative sound scheme for the home theater.

4) The camera operator was shooting the video when the equipment failed to operate.

5) They had already built a stage for the gig in the square when we came there.

TALKING AND DISCUSSING POINT

9. Choose any two Dolby formats and compare them.

10. Prepare a report on the topic «Dolby Technologies». Pick from the following options:

– Analog audio noise reduction: Dolby A/B/C/S-Type NR; Dolby FM; Dolby HX Pro.

– Audio encoding/ compression: Dolby Digital (AC-3); Dolby Digital EX; Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3); Dolby Digital Live; Dolby E; Dolby Stereo (Dolby Analog); Dolby TrueHD; AAC; aacPlus; Dolby Pulse.

– Audio processing: Dolby Headphone; Dolby Virtual Speaker; Dolby Surround, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Pro Logic IIz; Audistry; Dolby Volume; Dolby Mobile.

– Video processing: Dolby Contrast; Dolby Vision.

– Digital Cinema: Dolby Digital Cinema; Dolby 3D; Dolby Atmos.

– Live Sound: Dolby Lake Processor.

11. Comment on the following quotation.

«People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.»

Steve Jobs

WRITING

12. Write a report on the topic «Ray Milton Dolby. Biography and achievements.»

13. Write a review of one of the films mentioned in the text: A Clockwork Orange, Callan, Lisztomania, A Star Is Born, Batman Returns, Clear and Present Danger, The Simpsons, Toy Story 3.

Follow the plan:

– Introduction (thesis paragraph, short summary plot, overview of the review body)

– Body paragraphs/analysis (cinematography, setting, acting, soundtrack, accomplishments and fails, the critic’s feelings)

– Recommendation (if the movie is worth watching)

– Conclusion (tied up with the thesis)

14. Write a letter to your friend (State Exam Writing).

This is part of the letter you have received from your English pen-friend Elizabeth:

In your next letter, please tell me about a film you like. What’s it about? Who is starring in the film? Why do you like it?

By the way, I’ve bought a new computer…

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

– answer her questions

– ask three questions about her new computer.

Write between 100 and 140 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.

CHECK POINT

15. Complete the sentences choosing from the words in brackets.

1) This company specializes in audio encoding/compression and audio noise … (increase, reduction, distortion).

2) The compander differed from the others by … (capability, pre-emphasis, intelligibility) to process only the quiet sounds that would be veiled by tape noise.

3) A Clockwork Orange (1971) was the first film that… (found, received, utilized) Dolby noise reduction on all masters and pre-mixes, but had traditional optical soundtrack on release prints.

4) Having reworked the system for home viewing, Dolby issued Dolby Surround and the more advanced Dolby Pro Logic, which actually was the domestic … (profit, counterpart, compander) of the theatrical Dolby Stereo.

5) In 2005, the corporation offered its … (shares, masters, consumers) on the New York Stock Exchange, claiming to become a public company under the symbol DLB.