Amazon will join competing services like Netflix and Vudu in offering Dolby Atmos audio. The company original series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan is the first confirmed title.
Dolby Atmos on Amazon
Dolby Atmos is one of several object-based audio formats that offer a more immersive listening experience. This is achieved by freeing sound from the constraints of fixed channels. Instead sound “objects” in the sound mix can be placed in a three-dimensional space around you, and above you.
Netflix added support for Dolby Atmos in June 2017 and Amazon will soon join the party. On August 31, Amazon will release its original series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, which will also be the first title with Dolby Atmos from the streaming player.
- “Prime Video will soon support Dolby Atmos. Feel like you’re inside the action of Prime Original series, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan coming soon to Prime Video,” Dolby said.
Amazon has yet to comment on technical details so we do not know which devices that will be capable of delivering streaming service’s best audio streams. The company’s Fire TV and Fire TV Cube both support Dolby Atmos and are likely candidates. In addition, devices such as Nvidia Shield and Xbox One as well as TVs such as LG’s latest OLED TVs support Dolby’s latest audio format. Apple TV 4K and iTunes will gain support later this year with tvOS 12.
Streaming services generally use the more compressed version of Dolby Atmos audio (in a Dolby Digital Plus container) as opposed to the lossless variant found on discs (in a Dolby TrueHD container).
To enjoy the immersive sound experience you need an Atmos-enabled soundbar or a full HiFi system.
Dolby Atmos has seen strong uptake in cinema and at home. Together with Dolby Vision, which is the company’s HDR video format, it represents Dolby’s vision for the future of video entertainment.
- Source: Dolby
