History of Dolby and In-Car Entertainment
Automotive

Dolby and In-Car Entertainment

Beginning with noise reduction for cassette decks, Dolby technologies have defined the cutting edge of car audio for more than a quarter of a century.

1977
Dolby® B-type noise reduction first appears in car cassette decks.

1982
Dolby C-type noise reduction first appears in car cassette decks.

1997 
Volvo introduces first in-car system with Dolby Surround Pro Logic® in its model C70. Additional Volvo models follow (S60, S80, V70, XC70).

Volvo 

1997-Volvo introduces first in-car
system with Dolby Surround
Pro Logic in the C70 

1998
Dolby Digital makes debuts in the automotive environment via aftermarket DVD products.

2000
Rockford Fosgate introduces first in-car Dolby Pro Logic II aftermarket product.

2001
Panasonic introduces first in-car DVD-Audio (MLP Lossless™) player.

                                                                                                                  

2002
First in-car system with Dolby Pro Logic II (Volvo XC90) receives international praise and Motor Trend's magazine's SUV of the Year award.

2003
Acura introduces the first in-car system with 5.1 DVD-Audio surround sound as a standard feature in the Acura TL (2004 model).

Volvo announces additional models (S40 and V50) with Dolby Pro Logic II audio systems.

Pioneer and Kenwood announce first mobile media center products that incorporate Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital, and MLP Lossless.

Alpine, Blaupunkt, Clarion, and Eclipse introduce aftermarket Dolby Pro Logic II and Dolby Digital in-car products.

2004
Aston Martin announces DB9 Coupe and DB9 Volante with Dolby Pro Logic II audio systems.

Alpine introduces first Dolby Digital EX aftermarket in-car product.

Kenwood announces first rear-seat DVD entertainment system with Dolby Headphone technology.

Cadillac STS (2004 model) introduces the first in-car system with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

2005
Alpine launches high end F#1 status aftermarket range, including DVD-Audio capable head units and a theatre amplifier featuring Dolby Digital EX and Dolby Pro Logic II.

                                        Jaguar
2005-Jaguar announces XK with
Dolby Pro Logic II audio systems

Volvo introduces new C70 coupe-cabriolet with Dolby Pro Logic II as an option. The entire Volvo range offers a premium sound system featuring Pro Logic II.

Jaguar announces that their forthcoming XK sports car will incorporate Dolby Pro Logic II as part of a premium audio option.

Daimler-Chrysler includes 5.1 DVD-Audio surround sound as an option for the new Mercedes-Benz S Class, scheduled for launch in 2006.