This is how Dolby Atmos works
Dolby Atmos is a hybrid audio format primarily intended for cinemas . Such hybrid formats have advantages and disadvantages . Here ’ s how the approach works :
• Dolby Atmos combines channel-based and object-oriented audio source material .
• “ Channel-based ” means that each speaker comes with its own audio track . For example , Stereo , Dolby Digital , DTS and Auro-3D are channel based .
• The downside here is that the playback system must have the exact same speaker placement as whoever created the audio content . Otherwise , localization and realism can suffer greatly .
• “ Object-oriented ” means that a sound source gets its own audio tracks . Metadata then indicates the desired position or movement of that sound source . In this way , a mixer in the playback system can generate the necessary loudspeaker signals itself .
• There are many small disadvantages here : On the one hand , the sound must now either be calculated in real time or pre-calculated individually for each cinema hall .
• On the other hand , the data to be transmitted is very large if , for example , 128 objects are to be played back simultaneously instead of seven discrete channels .
• In addition , Dolby Atmos continues to rely primarily on the lossy AC-4 compression , which is also used in Dolby Digital .
• Dolby Atmos provides a special home cinema variant in which directional loudspeakers radiate sound from the ceiling . The reflection should then give the listener the impression of increased sound sources .
As far as the world of hi-fi audio is concerned , a lot of formats have come and gone . Dolby Atmos is very different from a lot of them . It doesn ’ t need expensive , specialized playback equipment to work . A lot of modern smartphones come equipped with built in Atmos decoding units . This allows all users to enjoy high-quality Dolby Atmos – encoded audio with their existing earbuds . More recent versions of iPhones and equivalent Android devices have speakers which are built for playing immersive content .
A lot of recent major-label releases have also been mixed in the Dolby Atmos format . A lot of old hits have also been remixed in this more immersive format . Audiophiles all over the world have welcomed these with open arms . Even the world ’ s largest streaming platforms like Amazon Music , Tidal and Apple Music are supporting immersive content like Dolby Atmos .
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