PENTEO SURROUND ANNOUNCES ORBAN CONTRACT FOR 5.1 TV

“Panorama Slicing” Automates Stereo-to-Surround and Back Again.

San Francisco, CA, August, 2009 – Broadcast leader Orban/CRL is the first to license the new automated stereo-to-surround system from Bay Area trailblazer Penteo, LLC.  The proprietary process follows closely on the heels of the conversion of U.S. television broadcasts to all-digital.  Penteo now makes it possible for television stations to effortlessly and automatically broadcast all their legacy stereo programming and stereo commercials in 5.1 Surround.  Unlike other methods, Penteo 5.1 snaps back automatically to the two original channels for traditional stereo broadcast.  Orban is licensing Penteo’s technologies to include in their Optimod-Surround 8585 audio processor and upcoming broadcast appliances.

Robert Orban, Chief Engineer of Orban/CRL stated, “When choosing an upmix algorithm to complement Orban’s Optimod-Surround 8585 audio processor, I auditioned a number of different processes. Of these, only the Penteo Surround upmix sounded like discrete five-channel while preserving the balance of the stereo source without coloration. I was particularly impressed by its ability to place dialog firmly in the center channel even when the mix included other elements placed around the stereo soundstage. Penteo was the hands-down winner of my shoot-out.”

“The Penteo system is based on entirely new stereo analysis,” says John Wheeler, Penteo, LLC founder and inventor of the new technology.  “We believe it’s the first truly significant breakthrough in the art of converting stereo into 5.1 surround sound in the last 15 years. We’re thrilled that this major player has stepped up to the plate.”

Penteo has developed a system of processes and patent-pending proprietary technology that cleanly and efficiently converts any stereo mix of music, film, and TV soundtracks directly into superior-quality 5.1 surround sound.  At the core of this system is the new stereo “panorama slicing”(tm) algorithm that Wheeler says creates a much cleaner, clearer, more discrete 5.1 surround experience than any other 5.1 conversion technology available today.  “Most importantly, our surround masters downmix back to stereo with absolutely no sonic artifacts,” Wheeler said. “Our approach absolutely respects the vision of the original mixing engineers.”

Most recently, the Penteo 5.1 process was used for the Warner Bros. blockbuster “Watchmen” and Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” as the first major motion pictures to take advantage of the new direct stereo-to-5.1 surround sound processing system.  Drastically reducing cost and delays, Penteo easily processed numerous classic songs for theatrical release, including Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence,” Jimi Hendrix’s version of “All Along the Watchtower,” and Richard Wagner’s full orchestral ” Ride of the Valkyries” into 5.1 surround sound for Watchmen’s top mixing team.

The company recently developed the “Penteo/RT” broadcast algorithm that converts live stereo broadcasts into 5.1 surround on the fly, giving broadcasters the ability to automatically send out all their programming as a 5.1 mix simultaneously with their stereo transmission. Penteo is currently in discussions to license the technology to consumer electronics makers and professional production hardware manufacturers.

“We view this Orban agreement as strategic validation of our technology and look forward to a strong and growing relationship with Orban/CRL,” said John Wheeler, president and CEO of Penteo.  “With their stature in broadcast technology we have a perfect launching pad for Penteo in this new era of quality television, radio, and modern media delivery.”

ABOUT PENTEO(r)
Penteo, LLC, based in San Francisco, California, has created cutting-edge technologies and services that convert any stereo audio into 5.1 surround sound, with automatic downmixing back to stereo. The company has developed proprietary, patent-pending technologies and applications that allow television, film, and music industry professionals to convert and deliver their stereo content and assets into superior-quality 5.1 surround sound automatically, setting a new standard in completely downconvertible, stereo-compatible 5.1 audio processing.
Penteo is a registered trademark of Penteo, LLC.

http://www.penteosurround.com

ABOUT ORBAN/CRL
From ESPN to the BBC, Orban products are at work in radio and television stations around the world. Designing audio products for the challenges of broadcasting has kept Orban busy, and successful, for over thirty years.
Bob Orban founded the company because he wasn’t happy with the sound of albums being heard on the “new” stereo FM stations. He developed the OPTIMOD solution that combines several processing structures into a single box to maximize loudness and still meet government broadcast regulations. OPTIMOD is still the largest selling Orban product as we move from analog transmission to the new digital media of DTV, DAB and Webcasting.  It is this focus on radio and television that makes Orban’s products the choice for broadcasters worldwide.
http://www.orban.com

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