Dolby the name synonymous with movie theater surround-sound systems partnered with German virtual reality company Infitec GmbH to develop a three-dimensional theater projection system for theaters. The technology intitially developed by Daimler Chrysler for automotive design will be integrated with Dolby's digital cinema playback system. Digital 3-D systems are one tool Hollywood is using to staunch competition from DVDs, the Internet and video games to bring consumers back to theaters. Last week's 3-D debut of Columbia Pictures' animated movie "Monster House" raked in more than twice the average per-screen box office of the 2-D version, showing that 3-D systems can boost a movie's appeal.

Existing 3-D systems that use white screens also require theater-goers to wear expensive, battery-charged glasses to view the 3-D images. Dolby said its solution allows theater patrons to use the inexpensive polarized plastic glasses used by Real D systems. Dolby has deployed its digital playback system on 160 theater screens worldwide. The company expects its 3-D technology to be available by spring of 2007.
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