Home Cinema Insight | New Sound Formats
The 3D Audio Lowdown
Overwhelmed with immersive sound options? Dolby Laboratories,
DTS and Auro Technologies present their very own simplified
guides as to how to properly set up their 3D audio systems –
advising on configurations, recommended products and how to
make the most out of their home cinema sound offerings.
Dolby Atmos
Stephen Auld, senior manager, broadcast and licensing at
Dolby explains all things Atmos.
How does Dolby Atmos differ
to other 3D sound formats?
Dolby Atmos stands out as it gives the film producer
the ability to reproduce up to 128 simultaneous audio
objects in a mix, as opposed to the one single channel of
sound. With Dolby Atmos, sound moves around you in
a 3D space, filling the room and flowing all around you
with breath-taking realism to create a powerfully moving
entertainment experience, unlike no other.
Comparatively, (to other 3D sound formats) a
key strength of Dolby Atmos is the support from the
Hollywood and international studios. So far we have
support from Lionsgate, Universal, HBO, Sony, Warner
Bros., Paramount and Fox. There are over 120 HD
and UHD Blu-ray titles with Dolby Atmos soundtracks
(globally). A growing number of titles can also be
accessed using over the top (OTT) services in Europe
and the US.
How to properly set up Atmos for the home
The setup and installation guidelines for Dolby Atmos
will differ greatly depending on the desired Dolby
Atmos installation and existing home theatre set up.
Broadly speaking, there are three component parts to
a Dolby Atmos set up, including: Dolby Atmos enabled
AV receivers (AVR), surround sound speakers (including
subwoofer) and Dolby Atmos enabled up-firing speakers.
Devices such as the Dolby Atmos soundbar would
represent the easiest to set up, as they combine the
AVR, listener level speakers and up-firing speakers – all
in one box. It is also relatively cost effective and easy
for consumers to upgrade from a traditional 5.1 or 7.1
surround sound system to Dolby Atmos. In this instance,
a consumer can simply purchase Dolby Atmos up-firing
speakers as modules, sitting on top of the existing speakers
– assuming the AVR is already Dolby Atmos-enabled.
What set-ups are possible with Atmos?
There are many possible variations of Dolby Atmos home
theatre installs, from a conventional 5.1.2 configuration all
the way up to 24.1.10. However, most of us are restricted
by space. The size of the room plays a big part of each
configuration. Traditional configurations in the UK include:
5.1.2, 5.1.4, 7.1.2 or 7.1.4 – the final .2 or .4 indicates the
number of upward-firing Dolby Atmos enabled speakers
or modules for overhead sound.
Top Install Tricks
We have various guides online that will help plan the right
system for the room, with tips on choosing the type of
system, including speakers, AVRs and TV.
To create an immersive home theatre environment,
you’ll want, at a minimum:
• A surround sound system, the biggest HDTV or UHDTV
you can manage.
• A broadband Internet connection.
Room acoustics can affect your sound almost as much
as your component choices can and the decor of the
room you choose for a home theatre affects the acoustics.
You can do a few things to help: If you have hardwood
floors, try placing some area rugs directly in front of the
speakers; Close the drapes when you’re watching or
listening; Use bookshelves – with books – to help tame
reflections. Set up a clear line of sight from speakers
to listening seats; Have some people over – physically
speaking, we’re great absorbers. If you’re lucky enough
to have a room dedicated to your home theatre, you have
a lot more control. Balance hard and soft surfaces – for
example, compensate for a hard ceiling with a carpeted
floor. Pull your front speakers further into the room than
your TV, experiment further with speaker placement and
consider specialised room-tuning components, such as
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New Sound Formats.indd 24
26/09/2016 16:48