In recent years, developers of technologies for virtual entertainment have launched a fierce competition. Innovative algorithms and formats replace each other at incredible speed, presenting users with more and more new ideas and ways to implement surround sound effects, processing and distribution of audio signals. One of the latest innovations on the market is the revolutionary Dolby Atmos technology, which has managed to bring movie viewing in home and public cinemas to a previously unattainable level.
What is Dolby Atmos technology
According to information from Wikipedia, the world first heard about Dolby Atmos in 2012. Over the past eight years, the technology has been repeatedly refined and improved. Today it is relevant and in demand more than ever. A key goal in creating Atmos was to expand the audio capabilities and functions of traditional multi-channel public and home theater systems.
The technology provides for the presence of a specific arrangement of speakers in the room: in a horizontal plane at the level of the viewers’ heads and under the ceiling, due to which a special three-dimensional space is formed. This approach allows you to deliver good sound to any point in the room in the form in which the sound engineers intended it.
Atmos technology is based on the legacy Dolby Digital 5.1 sound system. To create a volumetric effect, it was equipped with additional upper channels. Let's give a simple example. If you watch a movie in the usual 5.1 audio format, you will hear the sound of helicopter blades rotating. If we are talking about a film with Atmos, you will hear a helicopter flying overhead, and the sound will fade as it moves away. The significance of Dolby Atmos is determined not by the number of channels, but by its advanced capabilities for creating the effect of maximum immersion. It is thanks to this fact that the technology enjoys consistently high popularity among global electronics brands, which are releasing more and more new devices with Atmos.
Pros and cons of technology
Dolby Atmos compares favorably with similar modern developments, but at the same time has virtually no disadvantages. To get an idea of the new product from Dolby Laboratories, you should pay attention to its pros and cons.
Advantages and disadvantages
Allows you to distribute sound throughout the entire space (cinema or room), providing clear and realistic sound.
Makes the sound deep, multidimensional and voluminous.
Turns the viewer into a participant in the events on the screen.
Allows you to reproduce sound not only in the horizontal, but also in the vertical direction at the expense of the upper channels.
You need to purchase a subwoofer and a large number of speakers, or a high-quality soundbar.
The complexity of installing ceiling speakers, which only a specialist can handle.
The need for the correct location of objects and individual settings for each of them.
How Dolby Atmos works
Perhaps the most effective option of Dolby Atmos is the transmission of three-dimensional audio images: the rustling of the wings of a bird flying in the sky, the creaking of cracked wooden doors, the sound of falling raindrops, the ringing and vibration of a telephone. To obtain such sounds, the developers propose to use a fundamentally new approach to working with audio files. Just five to ten years ago, to build a sound stage, a sound engineer had to work separately with each sound track. Today the situation has changed. When using Atmos, each sound source is considered as an independent object, for which all the necessary parameters can be configured, including its position in space, direction of movement, etc. In accordance with the information specified by the sound engineer, the system independently determines which speakers will reproduce a particular sound.
At first glance, everything is quite simple, however, it should be understood that standard speakers are still used to play audio tracks. To improve the quality and accuracy of sound, you will need a lot of them. According to the developers, to achieve the desired spherical effect, 64 speakers are enough, while Atmos technology provides simultaneous support for 128 channels at once.
Of course, placing 64 speakers in a room in an ordinary private house will be problematic. However, this is not necessary. Full-fledged Dolby Atmos today is used exclusively in professional cinemas, while for home cinemas 5-12 speakers, correctly placed in the horizontal and vertical planes, will be sufficient.
Which devices support Dolby Atmos sound?
The key to obtaining high-quality Atmos sound is correctly selected and installed ceiling speakers. If, due to various circumstances, their installation is impossible, as an option, you can consider purchasing speakers that are directed in such a way that the sound is reflected from the ceiling, thereby providing the desired three-dimensional audio effect. You will also need a compatible Atmos-enabled audio receiver to operate the speakers.
The option with speakers is designed primarily for large rooms. For rooms with limited space, developers recommend using special Dolby Atmos soundbars. Most of them are equipped with a built-in directional sound configuration, while some audio system models are capable of artificially simulating a surround sound environment.
The “heart” of any audio system is a device that acts as a signal source. So, for example, for movies, the best option would be to buy a modern Blu-ray player, which will transmit a direct bit stream to an audio receiver or sound bar.
To watch paid or free TV channels that support Dolby Atmos sound, you will need a 4K set-top box. In this case, you will be able to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of being present during the broadcast of a football match involving your favorite team.
The sound format we are considering is also available for popular game consoles: PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The release of TVs supporting Dolby Atmos is still just gaining momentum. The pioneers in this area were LG and Samsung. The number of Android devices (Windows laptops, smartphones and tablet computers) capable of providing the effect of immersive sound is also growing. However, in the context of the capabilities of headphones and speakers of mobile gadgets, Atmos involves a virtual simulation of a three-dimensional sound environment, without the use of overhead speakers. This means that when you turn on a movie, video clip or mobile application on a laptop or smartphone with Atmos support, the quality of playback of sound tracks will indeed be higher, but you will not be able to get spatial sound, as in a full-fledged acoustic system.
Atmos and VR
With virtual reality (VR) still gaining momentum, 3D audio is important. Replicating the way we hear sounds in everyday life is critical to the feeling of immersion in virtual reality.
Dolby has already worked with VR content creator Jaunt to add Atmos audio to three of the company's VR experiences: Black Mass, Kaiju Fury! and a video from a Paul McCartney concert entitled “Live and Let Die.”
Atmos support has since been expanded to support virtual reality experiences on iOS, Android, OS X and Windows. Dolby lists Oculus Rift and HTC Vive as supported devices if you have Windows 7 or higher.
In addition, the company says that Samsung Gear VR is compatible with Atmos technology. You can also get the Atmos experience with Google Cardboard, the company's foldable device that turns your smartphone into a VR viewer.
Most Samsung and Apple phones are capable of Atmos audio.
How to check the operation of acoustics with Dolby Atmos support
Once all the components of the audio system have been purchased and placed in their places, you need to connect the acoustics. Standard cables are used for this purpose. As a rule, there are no problems with solving this problem - it is enough to match the sockets and cable ends of the same color. Next, to check the functionality and start the system for the first time with Dolby Atmos support, it is recommended to perform the following algorithm of actions.
- After connecting the speakers, you need to calibrate the system by entering the appropriate command in the setup program on the receiver. Select the three-digit configuration (5.1.2 or 7.1.2) according to the system combination supplied by Dolby Atmos.
- The next step is to turn on your audio equipment and connect it to a TV that supports Atmos technology.
- We launch content in the format we need.
The result of all the measures taken should be the creation of a full-fledged sound space. If you hear thunder roaring in the sky above your head, leaves rustling under your feet, music playing clearly around you, then the setup is done correctly and the acoustics are working as they should. If not, check that the connection is correct and return to the equipment settings.
You can see the algorithm for checking equipment with Atmos support in the following video:
The history of Dolby
The history of Dolby begins in 1964 in New York. It was founded by engineer Ray Dolby. The company later moved to San Francisco. The world first learned about Dolby in 1971. At this time, a noise reduction system appears in recordings on magnetic tapes. The following year, the company demonstrates an optical method for recording sound on film.
In 1975, the company created analog technology Dolby Stereo. It already has 4 sound channels. They accommodate the right and left channels for music. A central channel for speech or dialogue, as well as a fourth channel for surround. The latter can complement the soundtrack with atmospheric or background sounds. Dolby received maximum publicity with the release of the film “Star Wars” in 1977.
When the director of the film said that the sequel to the already popular film at that time would be shot with Dolby Stereo, all cinemas in America became interested in the technology. And if at that time only about 50 cinemas in the United States had Dolby support, then after the release of the new episode of Star Wars, films with technology could be seen everywhere.
This is interesting: searching for music by sound online.
Which is better, stereo speakers or Dolby Atmos?
First of all, we note that stereo speakers do not exist as such. This term most often refers to several independent speakers that are used to reproduce so-called stereo sound. In turn, stereo sound is the reproduction of a sound recording while maintaining a stereo panorama relative to the viewer. Those. Unlike classical formats, when the audio signal comes from one place, with stereo sound there will be several sources of audio tracks, thereby creating a surround sound effect.
Thus, we see that stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos are based on similar technologies for creating a three-dimensional sound space. The purpose of these technologies is also similar: the sound signal, which moves around the room during the playback of video content, adds realism to everything that happens on the screen, providing an immersive effect.
The main difference between stereo and Atmos is that the latter technology involves in-ceiling speakers. In addition, the differences lie in the number of simultaneously supported speakers, the number of which in the case of Dolby Atmos can reach 128, which ensures the creation of a maximum immersive effect when watching videos.
Before proceeding directly to the comparison of stereo sound and Dolby Atmos sound reproduction technology, it should be noted that content can contain both audio tracks, which allows the viewer to independently choose the most preferred format.
So, the most significant differences between the two technologies are:
- Stereo is said to be capable of supporting higher bit rates, which ensures high quality sound. However, Dolby representatives assure users that the effectiveness of its codecs and the original sound quality are maintained no matter how bad the data transfer rate is.
- Stereo technology does not place strict demands on speakers. If the speakers are compatible with stereo sound, they can be placed as the viewer needs or likes it. Meanwhile, Dolby Atmos requires certain requirements for speaker placement. The way you will achieve a surround sound effect will depend on how they are placed.
- Movies with Dolby Atmos support are less common than those with stereo. And indeed it is. However, the situation is changing for the better almost every month. In addition, Atmos is supported by Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Of course, Dolby Atmos is the future, however, you shouldn’t expect that stereo will become a thing of the past in the coming years either. This is also evidenced by the interest from developers who recently presented an improved version of surround sound - SPATIAL SOUND. For this reason, most global brands produce audio and video receivers, televisions, and surround sound systems that support both technologies. This means that the end user does not have to rack his brains over choosing the best solution that will allow him to create his own cinema in a private house or apartment.
Why do our mobile phones need these technologies?
This is the first thing we have to ask ourselves when we talk about the Dolby systems that have gained such popularity in theaters around the world over the years. The existence of these technologies makes a lot of sense because they allow us to fully utilize the capabilities of our mobile screens, as well as the audio part. Although a mobile phone has top-notch hardware in both ways, if it does not have the software and a certain Dolby compatible chip, it will not be able to deliver all that it is capable of.
Thus, the compatibility of a mobile phone with these systems gives us additional picture and sound quality . And this may not matter to you if you use your mobile phone to chat or surf social media. But if you like to see a lot of visual content and listen to high-quality audio, you will have to use mobile phones that are compatible with this technology, which is even superior to other more common mobile phones such as HDR. Therefore, our mobile phones need these technologies as long as the consumer demands the best picture and sound quality for the content they like.
List of films in Dolby Atmos format
Currently, more than 2,000 professional cinemas have already installed or are installing equipment that supports Dolby Atmos. This format is actively used by about 150 film studios located in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan, China, Korea and Russia. More than 500 films have already been released in Dolby TrueHD format, many of them have already been translated and shown in our country, while others will only be translated into Russian.
The list of high-profile movie premieres with the highest level of surround sound includes: “Suicide Squad”, “Monster Trucks”, “Kubo”, “Wonder Woman”, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, “Rio 2”, “ I, Frankenstein, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, The Hobbit 2: The Desolation of Smaug, The Incredible Life of Walter Mitty. These spectacular and large-scale projects can already be seen in cinemas or downloaded for home viewing, enjoying the incredible soundtrack of the films. A fundamentally new approach to surround sound will allow viewers to be transported to the very center of the events taking place on the screen, receiving a lot of impressions and vivid emotions.
According to Russian and Western experts in the field of high technology and virtual entertainment, Dobli Atmos technology is one of the best inventions of mankind. Movies played in this format sound as if a sound engineer came into your room and began mixing sound scenes, taking into account the parameters, area and configuration of the room and the characteristics of your equipment, making you forget that you are watching a movie at home and not in a professional one. cinema hall
Content:
- 1 What is Dolby Atmos?
- 2 What do I need to get Dolby Atmos quality sound?
- 3 Dolby Atmos soundbar - a compact solution
- 4 What other equipment do I need for Dolby Atmos?
- 5 TVs that support Dolby Atmos 5.1 Features of speakers for Dolby Atmos
A home theater means not only a high-quality image on the screen, but also high-quality acoustics. For many years we used 5.1 and 7.1 audio systems that created surround sound for us. But with the widespread adoption of Dolby Atmos, the situation is changing.
The arrival of Dolby Atmos in cinemas and homes has been a major development, comparable to the release of Blu-ray Disc and 4K Ultra HD video technology.
But what is Dolby Atmos? And why are audiophiles and cinephiles so excited about this term?
