Introduction

This documentation describes how to become a Dolby Creator Lab Affiliate or Dolby Creator Lab Certified Academic Partner for educational facilities. This tiered model is designed to allow educational institutions to teach their students how to use Dolby Technologies to the extent available to them.

Your participation as a Dolby Creator Lab educational partner has requirements specific to each tier. These requirements must be verified by sending equipment lists, as well as extensive photo documentation of your setups, quarterly reporting, training with Dolby Creator Lab professionals and designated faculty responsible for the relationship. In addition, you must ensure that at least one of your teaching or coaching staff have participated in a Dolby instructor-led training and certification and maintain ongoing education and training certification with these instructors for the length of the partnership. Lastly, student work should be provided on an annual basis to ensure that your program is actively participating in Dolby training. This student work can be content provided by Dolby, or original work.

Instructor led training is dependent upon tier and includes a mandatory 2 – 6 hour virtual Dolby hosted seminar (over 1 - 3 sessions), led remotely, in which faculty and staff will learn the Dolby Vision and/or Atmos ecosystem and content creation workflows. This will provide access to the Dolby Learning Management System for self-guided training and be followed up with future remote or in-person meetings as necessary. Quarterly or annual check-ins with the Dolby instructor of record will determine the need for future training. On-site trainings will be facilitated on a case by case basis determined by availability.

Although the learning resources (curriculum) are openly available to the public, only Dolby Creator Lab Partners will have the rights/ability to copy curriculum assets and utilize them copyright free in their institutions learning program. These resources can also be provided as SCORM packages and implemented directly into the schools LMS if desired.

Objective

By reading this document, the reader will understand the different requirements necessary to be considered a Dolby Creator Lab educational partner. This documentation outlines two tiers:

• Tier 1 “Dolby Creator Lab Certified Academic Partner”
• Tier 2 “Dolby Creator Lab Affiliate”

Both tiers have the same access to all resources with the exception of certification exams and the designation of certified partner which will be reserved for Tier 1 partners. Tier 1 partners will also acquire other privileges as outlined below. Approval for either program may take up to 90 days.

Legal Disclaimers

This documentation does not imply any commitment on the part of Dolby to offer or deliver the technologies and setups described herein and all information is subject to change.

Contacting Dolby Creator Lab

If you have comments or feedback about this documentation, send us an email at: DCLeducation@dolby.com

 

Tier 1 – Dolby Creator Lab Certified Academic Partner

The Tier 1 designation is aimed at institutions that wish to provide their students with a professional environment similar to the most advanced setups in major facilities around the world. Such a setup allows your students to transition as seamlessly as possible into the working world and the systems commonly used. This setup allows for mixing, mastering, and QC in multiple playback environments.

Tier 1 – Dolby Atmos System Requirements

System	Info
Dolby Atmos Renderer	Both internal and/or external renderer capabilities (one computer vs. two). Dolby Atmos Renderer stand-alone software and Dolby Atmos Renderer integrated into DAW (Apple Logic Pro, Black Magic DaVinci Resolve Studio, Fender Studio One, Steinberg Nuendo or Cubase).
Loudspeaker management and calibration	Dedicated Monitor Controller
7.1.4 Monitoring System Minimum	L/R/C/LFE/LS/RS/LRS/RRS + LTF/RTF/LTR/RTR
Ability to monitor and QC across multiple delivery standards	Speakers, headphones, consumer playback systems
Synchronization	Either hardware or software (Dolby LTC plug-in)
Dolby Atmos Professional Tools	Dolby Atmos Album Assembler, PHRTF, Dolby Conversion Tool, and other future releases
Dolby Approved Mixing Room	Conforms to Dolby Minimum Standards

Tier 1 – Dolby Vision System Requirements

System	Info
HDR Reference Display	Grade 1A or 1B*
Display calibration software & probe	Calibration software & color meter
Color Corrector	With Dolby Vision support
Color control panel	With access to Dolby Vision trim controls
Video I/O	Must support 4:4:4 SDI
Dolby Vision consumer TV	One per school, Ideally OLED, for review purposes
Dolby Vision Professional Tools	Either installed on the color correction system workstation or on a separate system

*HDR display must comply with EBU Tech 3320

Tier 1 – Certification Course Requirements

The following outlines Tier 1 certification requirements. Any institution that cannot meet the Tier 1 requirements, but fulfills Tier 2 requirements, may apply for the Affiliate (Tier 2) program. Failure of Tier 1 certification partners to adhere to requirements set forth below will result in suspension of priveleges and access to certification exams and listings at Dolby’s discretion.

• Learning Environments:
  • Dolby Creator Lab must approve classroom and studio environments
• Instructional Staff:
  • Institution must provide one instructor/professor/faculty member of record responsible for communication and compliance with certified designation requirements.
• Training:
  • Instructor of record must complete the following trainings:
    • 2 hour remote session covering Dolby Fundamentals and Learning Resource Overview
    • 2 hour remote session for Q and A
    • 2 hour remote session for Q and A, Advanced Workflows, Curriculum Review
• Instructor of record must pass the following exams:
  • Online Dolby Certification Exam
  • Dolby Practical Exam
  • Submission of “teach back” video on topic TBD provided to Dolby
• Instructor of record will be responsible for the following:
  • Quarterly reporting to Dolby
    • Dolby provided questionarre including but not limited to the following:
      • Number of Students Enrolled
      • Pass/Fail Rate
      • Student Practical Submissions (passing students only)
  • Dolby LMS student enrollment into Certification Exams
    • Number of students may be limited per semester (Dolby Vision only)
  • Maintenance of school logo for certificates (Dolby Atmos only) and distribution of successful certification documents to students
  • Participation in bi-annual survey and remote Program Advisory Committee Meetings
• Institution must use Dolby curriculum and resources designated for the certification program. Curriculum may be reorganized and supplementary materials may be added. Curriculum must be submitted to Dolby Creator Lab for approval.
• A practical exam must be included in the coursework, documented in the curriculum submission, and be included in the students evaluation (pass/fail) from the course.
  • Dolby Atmos – Student must pass practical exam before written exam is administered
  • Dolby Vision – Student must pass written exam before practical is administered
• Although instructional time may vary, it is estimated that intermediate to advanced students with adequate knowledge DAWs or Post Production tools will require 60 hours to complete the certification coursework. This includes instructional time, practical (hands-on) aided lessons, and additional self study.

Failure to adhere to any requirement as listed above will lead to immediate termination of partnership at Dolby’s sole discretion, and revoked access to certification exams on Dolby’s LMS.

 

Tier 1 – Certified Partner Benefits

• Dolby led presentations and/or events either remotely or onsite (subject to availability)
• Advanced training and Tier 1 support for instructors
• Access to certification exams
• Certified partner listing on Dolby Creator Lab
• Access to software NFRS in limited quanities
• Expanded use of Dolby Creator Lab Certification branding beyond school website (subject to approval)

 

Tier 2 - Dolby Creator Lab Affiliate

The Tier 2 designation includes environments typically utilized for content creation that may not completely conform to Dolby standards, and may not allow for QC across multiple playback environments. Such setups are also commonly used in compositional environments, editing, and music mixing, but are not equipped for audio and/or video mastering. Tier 2 participation requirements are outlined below.

Tier 2 – Dolby Atmos System Requirements

System	Info
Dolby Atmos Renderer	Dolby Atmos Renderer stand-alone software or Dolby Atmos Renderer integrated into DAW (Apple Logic Pro, Black Magic DaVinci Resolve Studio, Fender Studio One, Steinberg Nuendo or Cubase).
Studio Loudspeaker Setup	Adequate 7.1.4 Mixing Environment
Loudspeaker management and calibration	Minimum - calibration through the external Dolby Atmos Renderer, or calibration through Sonarworks
5.1.4 - 7.1.4 Monitoring System Minimum	L/R/C/LFE/LS/RS/LRS/RRS + LTF/RTF/LTR/RTR
Ability to monitor between speakers and headphones	Consumer playback systems optional
Synchronization	Either hardware or software (Dolby LTC plug-in)

Tier 2 – Dolby Vision System Requirements

System	Info
HDR Display	Grade 2 or 3* (≤ 500 nits) or equivalent HDR OLED TV
Display calibration software & probe	Calibration software & color meter
Color Corrector	With Dolby Vision support
Color control panel	With optional access to Dolby Vision trim controls
Video I/O	Must support 4:4:4 HDMI (and/or SDI)
Dolby Vision consumer TV	One per school, Ideally OLED, for review purposes
Dolby Vision Professional Tools	Either installed on the color correction system workstation or on a separate system

*HDR display must comply with EBU Tech 3320. If an OLED HDR TV is used, the TV must be set to its absolute PQ mode and calibrated for HDR and SDR purposes.

Tier 2 – Affiliate Course Requirements

The following outlines Tier 2 affiliate requirements. Failure of Tier 2 affiliate partners to adhere to requirements set forth below will result in suspension of privileges and access to certification exams and listings at Dolby’s discretion.

• Learning Environments:
  • Dolby Creator Lab must approve classroom and studio environments
• Instructional Staff:
  • Institution must provide one instructor/professor/faculty member of record responsible for communication and compliance with Tier 2 designation requirements.
• Training:
  • Instructor of record must complete the following trainings:
    • 2 hour remote session covering Dolby Fundamentals and Learning Resource Overview
    • 2 hour remote session for Q and A (If necessary)
• Instructor of record will be responsible for the following:
  • Annual reporting to Dolby:
    • Dolby provided questionarre including but not limited to the following:
      • Number of Students Enrolled in Dolby specific courses
      • Updated Facilities Information
      • Updated Faculty Information
• Curriculum must be submitted to Dolby Creator Lab for approval.
• Although instructional time may vary, it is estimated that intermediate to advanced students with adequate knowledge of the chosen DAWs or Post Production tools will require 20 - 60 hours of instructional time, practical (hands-on) aided lessons, and additional self study depending on the desired outcome.

Failure to adhere to any requirement as listed above will lead to immediate termination of partnership at Dolby’s sole discretion.

Tier 2 – Affilitate Partner Benefits

• Dolby led presentations (subject to availability)
• Training and T2 support
• Access to curriculum materials
• Use of Dolby Creator Lab branding on school website (subject to approval)

Checklist - Dolby Creator Lab Certified Academic Partner

• Online application completed and submitted
  • Instructor of record identified
  • Equipment list provided to Dolby
  • Photo documentation of finished installation and facilities provided to Dolby
• Training by DCL to Instructor(s) – time TBD (4-6 hours)
• Dolby content creation capabilities in place (hardware/software)
• Instructors self-train, develop curriculum, submit curriculum to DCL
  • Must show proof of integration of all DCL materials either in school curricula, or as student self-study assignments.
  • Must show practical exam inclusion in academic program (Dolby Atmos only)
• Instructors submit teach back session
  • Video lesson topic TBD, 10-20 minutes in length
  • Practical submission of AV content evaluation as requested
• Curriculum review by DCL
• Instructors take and pass certification
• Checklist of above reviewed by school and DCL
• Institution logos and branding assets provided for listing
• Certified DCL Partner agreement signed
• LMS portal for testing established
• Review cycles established for reporting

 

Checklist – Dolby Creator Lab Affiliate Academic Partner

• Online application completed and submitted
  • Instructor of record identified
  • Equipment list provided to Dolby
  • Photo documentation of finished installation and facilities provided to Dolby
• Training by DCL to Instructor(s) – time TBD (2-6 hours)
• Dolby content creation capabilities in place (hardware/software)
• Instructors self-train, develop curriculum, submit curriculum to DCL
  • Must show proof of integration of Dolby tech in curricula
• Curriculum review by DCL
• Checklist of above reviewed by school and DCL
• DCL Partner agreement signed
• Review cycles established for reporting