Microsoft says its new Windows 8 operating system will offer Dolby Digital Plus surround sound on tablets and PCs. Audio encoding and decoding will be supported on x86 and ARM-based devices.
Tami Reller, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for Windows and Windows Live at Microsoft, said “With the incredible growth of online download and streaming media, particularly for video content, this agreement ensures a great audio experience for those consumers who wish to download or stream TV and movies containing Dolby Digital Plus. Additionally, all of their existing and future home videos recorded with Dolby Digital Plus audio will work great on Windows 8 right out of the box.”
The news was announced as Microsoft also said the new Windows 8 OS wouldn’t support DVD video playback ‘out of the box’, although this will be available to customers who buy the company’s Windows 8 Media Center Pack, the Windows 8 Pro Pack or other compatible third-party software.
[Building Windows 8 blog]