Netflix now supporting Dolby Atmos

Netflix is set to deliver the first global combined Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision high-dynamic range (HDR) streaming experience to consumers around the world.

Subscribers will soon be able to experience Okja, the new Netflix Original Film, in both formats. Additional supported titles are also on the way, and the catalogue will continue to grow, Dolby says. Previously, only Dolby Vision was available on Netflix.

Dolby Atmos delivers an immersive sound experience that places and moves audio around the user, including overhead, with the aim of making the viewer feel as though they are in the middle of the story. Dolby Vision is designed to transform the TV experience in the home by delivering greater brightness and contrast, as well as a fuller palette of rich colours using dynamic metadata and Dolby’s intelligent display mapping engine in each playback device.

The combined Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision streaming experience from Netflix will be available on 2017 LG OLED TVs pending an update soon, while Xbox users can already access Dolby Atmos content when connecting their console to an Atmos-enabled home theater system, TV or soundbar, or via headphones using the new Dolby Atmos for headphones feature available for purchase through the Dolby Access app in the Xbox Store.

The 2017 lineup of LG OLEDs already have built-in Dolby Atmos capabilities that create an immersive soundscape around the user without the need to connect to an external Atmos-enabled system.

Over time, Netflix plans to roll out support to additional devices, making the Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision combined experience more accessible to Netflix members around the globe.

“Netflix and Dolby share the same vision for delivering spectacular experiences to consumers,” said Giles Baker, senior vice president, Consumer Entertainment Group, Dolby Laboratories. “With consumers already able to experience Dolby Vision on Netflix, it was a natural continuation of our partnership to bring a new level of immersive audio with Dolby Atmos to Netflix members around the world.”

"With the addition of Dolby Atmos support on Netflix, we are enabled to deliver the most cutting-edge experience to our global members and provide another creative tool to the artists," added Greg Peters, chief product officer, Netflix. "I’m excited for Netflix members all over the world to be able to get a theater-quality experience in the comfort of their own homes."

Picture: Netflix/Barry Wetcher