At CES 2024, Google and Samsung provided an update on their work to create a royalty-free alternative to Dolby Atmos, saying that it will roll out in 2024 to TVs, YouTube, and more.
In late 2023, Google and Samsung started talking openly about IAMF (Immersive Audio Model and Formats), a new open-source spatial audio technology to rival Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Think of IAMF as the audio equivalent to the HDR10+ video format that is meant to rival Dolby's HDR video format, Dolby Vision. Late to the party, but royalty-free. Is that enough?
Coming to Samsung TVs in 2024
Samsung told a group of industry people at CES 2024, including Chris Chinnock from Insight Media, to expect support for IAMF – which is probably not the final name – to show up in devices and services later in 2024.
This includes Samsung TVs and audio systems, most likely soundbars. It may even include some older Samsung hardware that can be firmware upgraded, although Samsung is not making concrete promises.
Samsung has been offering Dolby Atmos soundbars since 2016 but apparently it still wants its own alternative. Photo: Samsung
YouTube support this year
Google-owned YouTube is also planning to roll out support for the new spatial audio format later in 2024.
YouTube does not currently support Dolby Atmos or Dolby Vision.
Google and Samsung's front against Dolby was first detailed a report in 2022 as "Project Caviar", an effort by the two companies to push royalty-free alternatives to Dolby Vision and Atmos.
It is also worth noting that IAMF is adopted by the Alliance for Open Media (AOM) – the alliance behind the AV1 video format. The group counts heavy-hitters as founding members, including Amazon, Apple, Arm, Google, Intel, Meta, Microsoft, Mozilla, Netflix, Nvidia, and Samsung.
Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF)
| In Samsung's own words:
1. Ability To Express Sound Vertically
Previous open-source audio codecs only supported horizontal sound expression. With IAMF technology, audio can now be expressed vertically so that sound is increasingly multi-directional.
2. AI-Based Scene Analysis and 3D Audio Effects
IAMF utilizes AI and deep-learning technology to analyze scenes and emphasize certain aspects of the content — adjusting audio levels for more enhanced sound throughout the viewing experience.
In addition, IAMF technology provides optimal sound despite changes in the device environment.
3. Highly Customized Audio
Users will be able to freely adjust sound according to their preferences with IAMF technology. Whether viewers are looking to amplify sound effects from an action scene or enhance dialogue, IAMF gives them the flexibility to customize content audio for a more personalized experience. |
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