TV resolutions continue to climb higher and higher, and streaming dominates more of the entertainment industry. We are truly living in a golden age of home entertainment. However, amongst all of the talk of higher resolutions, high refresh rates, and HDR technology, it can be easy to forget the role that sound can play in a truly immersive home entertainment setup.
Good sound can mean the difference between a true cinema-like experience and an unsatisfying and dull watch! There are numerous sound formats and devices that you can use to improve the experience of watching content on your TV. Perhaps the most recognised of these is Dolby Atmos.
But what is Dolby Atmos? How do you use it? And is it worth making use of? Join us down below to find out!
What Is Dolby Atmos?
Dolby Atmos is a premium sound format that recreates immersive and space-filling sound. Dolby Atmos is prized across the industry. This is thanks to its atmospheric sound that helps listeners easily immerse themselves in their favourite content.
However, you might wonder what really sets Dolby Atmos apart from similar surround sound technologies. One of the biggest innovations that sets Dolby Atmos apart is its application of height channels. Ordinary surround sound systems provide sound that surrounds you from behind, and to the left and right, to create a sense of space. Dolby Atmos adds the extra dimension of height. This helps create the sense of objects passing overhead.
With Dolby Atmos, the sound is no longer relegated to just a small number of audio channels surrounding you on just one plane. Now sound can travel overhead, or elsewhere within your space.
How Do You Access Dolby Atmos?
Dolby Atmos is actually incredibly easy to access and is even supported by a number of top platforms. For instance, if you love streaming the latest boxsets on Netflix You can make use of Dolby Atmos to draw you closer to the action.
Many modern TVs come with access to Dolby Atmos pre-installed. So you can enjoy immersive content right away. You might need to head to the settings menu for your specific TV model to activate Dolby Atmos.
If your TV does not currently have Dolby Atmos enabled, don’t worry. Simply give your TV a firmware update. It may simply be that it is not currently up to date!
However, you will want to make sure that you have access to a suitable sound system to really make the most of Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos works particularly well through top-of-the-range soundbars. These devices allow sound to be projected more clearly. Provided your sound system is Dolby Atmos-enabled, the sound will automatically be adjusted to best suit your space.
If Dolby Atmos is on your TV, and you have the right sound system, all you need is the right content.
What Content Supports Dolby Atmos?
Luckily, there is absolutely no shortage of amazing content that takes full advantage of Dolby Atmos. As Dolby Atmos becomes more and more accessible in homes across the world, it continues to expand its support for different types of content.
If you enjoy streaming content on Netflix, Disney+, or even Amazon Prime, you can rest assured that content will automatically play using Dolby Atmos wherever possible! All you need to do is start up a compatible title, and the platform will automatically play with Dolby Atmos sound enabled.
Dolby Atmos can even be used alongside some of the biggest gaming titles. If you want to truly immerse yourself in your favourite interactive worlds, then Dolby Atmos is a must.
Dolby Atmos is incredibly easy to access on your smart TV, and is compatible with a growing range of content types and streaming libraries. We definitely recommend making use of it if compatible with your smart TV!
Dolby Atmos is also used extensively throughout the TV and film industries. Not only is it a format used in cinemas and home theatre setups, but it is also used in the production of new content. Albums, films, and TV shows are often produced with Dolby Atmos in mind. If you want to enjoy your content at its best for years to come, we’d definitely recommend getting with the Dolby Atmos hype!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Dolby Atmos?
Dolby Atmos is a premium audio format that acts as a natural evolution of popular surround sound audio formats. Dolby Atmos is a surround sound format that offers an extra dimension for sound to take advantage of. Sound not only surrounds users to the sides and the front and back but also surrounds them from above and below. Dolby Atmos allows distinct sound objects to float around an audio space!
Do I Need A Special HDMI Cable For Dolby Atmos?
To make the most of Dolby Atmos sound, you will need to make sure that you are watching HD content through a 2.0 HDMI cable. HDMI 2.0 cables can send sound directly from your TV to an associated sound system, to provide easy access to immersive sound.
Is Dolby Atmos Always On Or Automatic?
In most cases, Dolby Atmos will activate automatically provided it’s being used with a compatible sound system. Simply hook up your Dolby Atmos-supported headphones or speakers to your TV, and start enjoying your favourite content. In some cases, you may need to head to a system menu to activate the sound format.
Does Netflix Have Dolby Atmos Movies?
Yes! Netflix has long been at the forefront when it comes to premium streaming using premium video and audio formats. Many of Netflix’s original TV shows and films can be enjoyed with Dolby Atmos sound, as well as a number of licensed titles on the platform. All you need to do is look out for content that supports it!
