Kevin: November 2004 Archives

When I was in high school, I had a love affair with home theater -- and I lusted after a Kenwood receiver with Dolby Pro Logic, a surround sound format that made background noises in a movie come from behind you through a system where sound was included for extraction (called matrix) in the main channels of audio and processed out in the receiver. I saved up my pennies and bought the system. It was the latest and the greatest and I enjoyed it tremendously.

Fast Forward to today >> Dolby has registered an initial public offerring.

Dolby Digital (DD) is the market- and mind-share leader in multi-channel audio, in theaters domestic and commercial. For an interesting read regarding the history of DD and the other competing formats (DTS and SDDS), I would recommend reading this article as it seems to cover the lot in a better manner than I could manage.

As to the actual registration -- I haven't read it yet. But it goes without saying that this company has a level of market penetration that makes it worthy of a look at least -- the licensing model and roadmap to future formats is of most interest to me, as is its need for the share offer and the financial state of affairs. If you want to beat me to it and post a comment regarding what you find, go for it!

If you want to keep track of future SEC filings by Dolby Laboratories, Inc. via your favorite RSS newsreader, just drag this link (or copy and paste it) into that application.

from S-1 Registration Statement:

DOLBY LABORATORIES, INC.

Dolby Laboratories develops and delivers innovative products and technologies that make the entertainment experience more realistic and immersive in theatres, homes, cars and elsewhere. Since Ray Dolby founded Dolby Laboratories nearly 40 years ago, we have been at the forefront of developing sound technologies that enhance the entertainment experience for audiences and consumers. Our objective is to be an essential element in the best entertainment technology by delivering to both professionals and consumers innovative and enduring technologies that enrich the entertainment experience. Our technologies are used in sound recording, distribution and playback to faithfully recreate the original audio experience and enable digital audio and surround sound in applications such as movie soundtracks, DVDs, television, satellite and cable broadcasts, video games and personal computers. Our technologies have been adopted as standards throughout the entertainment industry. For example, virtually all major movie soundtracks throughout the world are encoded using our technologies, and virtually all DVD players incorporate our technologies.

Our products, services and technologies are used throughout the entertainment chain�from content creation, to distribution for large-scale playback, such as movie theatres, to repackaging and distribution for consumer media, such as DVDs, to consumer playback, such as DVD players and home theatre systems. We have built strong, long-lasting relationships with industry professionals at every link in the entertainment chain, including filmmakers, motion picture studios, broadcasters, film distributors, cinema operators, DVD producers, manufacturers of a broad array of consumer electronics products and software developers. Industry professionals and consumers rely on Dolby to ensure consistent quality as content moves through the chain. Moreover, we believe that the use of our technologies by professionals in the creation and distribution of content increases demand for the adoption of our technologies for use in consumer applications. We believe that we are a trusted vendor for professionals and consumers alike, and that the Dolby brand is recognized globally for quality, excellence and innovation.

In reading David Hornik's recent post over at VentureBlog regarding SEC filings I am encouraged -- in the long-run the market will bear fruit for those that take the time to understand the companies dealt in. That's why I've gone so far as to create my own tool for tracking those stocks and filings of note: Level 12. It is more than just a hobby, it is a need to understand how things work and to hold the companies I hold shares in accountable for their actions. I invest not just by my research, but by my moral barometer and reading the filings allows me to be better informed. I feel that if more people knew what resources were available to them, they'd do the same; hence the project.

The hard part is that the data set it so very large (in terms of records, not so much in terms of actual storage as I do not cache the filings) it takes more than just a single server to keep up. At this time, actually, there are at least 3 agents working, desegregating, and serving up content at any given time throughout the day; and usually there are more, as I have clients on my laptop, the iMac at home, and my G4 at BSU that do some processing when time allows. In the future there will be more and more processing to do as I add some extra features to the system, such as: keyword tagging, tracking the amount -- and fluctuation -- of the particular holdings, as well as merging in market data. Should be fun!

The good news is that I'm looking for help! If you have an interest in the market, some good programming skills, and a want to understand working within some large data drop me a line! help@level12.org

Occasionally I come across things that are so timely and well written that I can't help but want to share them -- Bank Blitz Memo: Tour De Lance is one of them. This article was written back in August but shows some great insight into Lance Armstrong and the way he approaches work in a selfless manner.

From the article, here are a few simple and powerful lessons from Armstrong's story:

1. Major setbacks may happen that are beyond our control. How we react to those events defines who we are and what we become.
2. When times are tough, focus on the aspects of your career that drew you to it in the first place. What parts of your job do you love? Remember those parts.
3. The hardest worker usually wins. Good luck happens. Bad luck happens. But in the end, bet on the person who keeps his drive and works the hardest.
4. Few people are solely responsible for their own success. Make acknowledging and rewarding the people that help you succeed a top priority.
5. Remember who pays your bills. Always strive to make sure they get their money's worth and know they are appreciated.

Great stuff. The author (David Martin) ends with this:

Too many folks "write themselves off" far too easily. As Lance Armstrong proves, nobody else can write your story for you or tell you how your final chaprter will read. Each of us is a work in progress. And some folks are working harder than others. Be one of those people.

via bankstocks.com