Dolby Atmos, Auro, and 3D audio thread

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

5 Reasons Dolby Atmos May Be DOA
5) It costs too much.
4) The speakers are stupid
3) You didn't buy height/width speakers but you'll hang them on your ceiling?
2) The only people that will buy Atmos speakers won't know what to do with them
1) Atmos simply doesn't have enough Wow!

5 Reasons Why Dolby Atmos Will Succeed
5. Atmos makes things easier behind the scenes.
4. Atmos is backwards compatible.
3. Atmos will appeal to niche market like DVD-A and SACD does for audiophiles.
2. Atmos enabled speakers.
1. Dolby is expending great effort to market Atmos while DTS is MIA at the moment.

You be the judge.

In theaters, it will be a winner. For home audio? It will not succeed.


This is because the home is not a theater. What next, putting curtains in front of your TV screen?


Too many gizmos, and their wiring, is for dedicated theaters at home and in public theaters, too. Not many homes are set up for that, and the benefit is too ephemeral. Some audiophiles or movie fanatics will go for it, certainly - but the number will be a small fraction of the general public.

[JohnAV]

I like the "Admit it, you've always wanted a speaker that looked like someone hot glued another speaker on top of it."

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

This is because the home is not a theater. What next, putting curtains in front of your TV screen?

Yeah. It's not like there is a term called HOME THEATER or anything...

[Auditor55]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

5 Reasons Dolby Atmos May Be DOA
5) It costs too much.
4) The speakers are stupid
3) You didn't buy height/width speakers but you'll hang them on your ceiling?
2) The only people that will buy Atmos speakers won't know what to do with them
1) Atmos simply doesn't have enough Wow!

5 Reasons Why Dolby Atmos Will Succeed
5. Atmos makes things easier behind the scenes.
4. Atmos is backwards compatible.
3. Atmos will appeal to niche market like DVD-A and SACD does for audiophiles.
2. Atmos enabled speakers.
1. Dolby is expending great effort to market Atmos while DTS is MIA at the moment.

You be the judge.

Dolby is marketing Atmos, just like 3DTV was marketed. 3DTV is an utter failure, TV manufacturers and Cable TV companies are bowing out. Most of the time Dolby is a winner, they rarely if ever fail, this time their going to tarnish their legacy with home Dolby Atmos.

Also, if it is a niche, which I think it will be, it is a failure because Dolby's goal is for widespread consumer adoption.

Another thing, don't count DTS out. What we're going to get is a predictable format war.

[Auditor55]

Originally Posted by BLMN

Probably will come together with the yet to be announced 4k blu-ray players. Reading some other posts about the HFR the current players cannot handle full 1080p 48 fps.

Optical disc is just about dead, I don't see new bright 4K Blu Ray future on the horizon.

4K is another superfluous consumer format, its pointless.

Now OLED is something worthwhile, not Dolby Atmos and 4K, pointless.

[Auditor55]

I won't be so quick in dismissing Dolby Atmos simply because DTS MDA is on its way. In fact, I won't even bother with DTS

I will dismiss it for the home. Once again, most home haven't even installed 7.1, so I don't see people en mass setting up 11.1 systems.

As someone else crudely put it, Dolby innovates, DTS imitates. Even if DTS MDA does finally make it, so what? Where are the software? They don't even push this format into cinemas, how are they going to make it to home?

Remember how DD was standard the DVD for, DTS wasn't even presence. Now DTS dominates Blu Ray.

There are about 100 titles with a Dolby Atmos mix and as long as nothing is held back, we could see most if not all of these titles making it to home in some manner.

100 titles is minuscule at best.

And there's also Atmos enabled speakers. Dolby knows most will not want to install speakers on their ceiling. And so they've come up with the Atmos enabled speakers, which projects the sound towards your ceiling.

Atmos enable speakers to sit on top of your current speaker assuming those speakers have flat surfaces, just brilliant (SMH).

The only time this format will fail altogether is when movies stop mixing in Atmos. But it's currently building up a great momentum

It will fail in the consumer market when very few companies profit off of Dolby Atmos equipped products, in other words, when consumers fail to drink their koolaid.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Yeah. It's not like there is a term called HOME THEATER or anything...

Well...dang...let me rephrase that...I'll be back.


I draw the line at a popcorn machine. Not gonna happen. I'd miss the movie, no question. I'm a nut for popcorn.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Auditor55

Dolby is marketing Atmos, just like 3DTV was marketed. 3DTV is an utter failure, TV manufacturers and Cable TV companies are bowing out.

You can't compare this to 3DTV. 3D requires new TVs, new BD players, special discs (that are more expensive) and receivers equipped to pass HDMI 1.4. Not to mention 3D was initially marketed with exclusive discs only available to those who bought certain brand TVs. Active shutter glasses too.


Atmos only requires a new receiver and additional speakers. No new TVs, no new BD players, no special high priced discs, no exclusive discs, no special cable/satellite channels, and nothing to wear. There has been a couple announcements and some demos, the actual marketing hasn't even really begun and you're already declaring it a failure. While you're at it, can you tell me the numbers for the currently $180 million-plus CA lottery?

[BozQ]

You know what. I'm not going to argue any further. Because all you're doing is knocking it off. You've even gone to a point of ripping my post bit by bit just to prove your point.

Okay, so you got it. Because at the end of the day, it's not going to affect you, anyone or even me. Like everything else, Dolby will do what they need to do. Whether it succeed or not, we'll wait and see.

[rpatt]

I've learned my lesson for early adoption of new formats (anyone want to buy a lightly used Sony mini disc player?). Having said that, I really hope it does work out.

[Mr.Twinks]

Originally Posted by rpatt

I've learned my lesson for early adoption of new formats (anyone want to buy a lightly used Sony mini disc player?). Having said that, I really hope it does work out.

Sweet! I still have mine and one day I need to hook it up to my AVR. I have a bunch of dj recordings on mine. Sad that it didn't take off but I only paid about $180 for the player/portable player combo and a box of MDs. This of course was back in circa 2000.

[Krelldog1977]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

You can't compare this to 3DTV. 3D requires new TVs, new BD players, special discs (that are more expensive) and receivers equipped to pass HDMI 1.4. Not to mention 3D was initially marketed with exclusive discs only available to those who bought certain brand TVs. Active shutter glasses too.


Atmos only requires a new receiver and additional speakers. No new TVs, no new BD players, no special high priced discs, no exclusive discs, no special cable/satellite channels, and nothing to wear. There has been a couple announcements and some demos, the actual marketing hasn't even really begun and you're already declaring it a failure. While you're at it, can you tell me the numbers for the currently $180 million-plus CA lottery?

Hi Pete,

I realize that my system is not a perfect example of the typical AV enthusiast, but I'd like to represent those, like myself, who are not excited about Atmos.

You say that Atmos only requires a new AVR and additional speakers. But it does not require a new TV and Blu-ray player...hmmm...

For someone deep into the hobby, the bolded statement above makes no sense.

I just saved up for a brand new $5800 pre/pro which does not offer Atmos. My speakers cost an arm and a leg so now I need more of them? How is this not a big deal for those passionate about this hobby with expensive equipment?

I may not speak for most but wanted to voice my opinion, thanks and enjoy.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Krelldog1977

I just saved up for a brand new $5800 pre/pro which does not offer Atmos. My speakers cost an arm and a leg so now I need more of them? How is this not a big deal for those passionate about this hobby with expensive equipment?

You have to admit your $5800 investment in a pre/pro is somewhat atypical, most enthusiast class components run a grand or two. For the majority of people it will not be that expensive an investment.


Atmos is aimed at everything from the HTiB crowd to the top of the line. Any high end component is at risk of being rendered obsolete in a short time. TVs alone have gone from 1080p to 3D to 4K in the past few years alone. Imagine those who in 2008 bought a $100000 103-inch Panasonic plasma and are now looking at similarly sized (or larger) 4K displays that are not near as much?

[BozQ]

Originally Posted by Krelldog1977

Hi Pete,

I realize that my system is not a perfect example of the typical AV enthusiast, but I'd like to represent those, like myself, who are not excited about Atmos.

You say that Atmos only requires a new AVR and additional speakers. But it does not require a new TV and Blu-ray player...hmmm...

For someone deep into the hobby, the bolded statement above makes no sense.

I just saved up for a brand new $5800 pre/pro which does not offer Atmos. My speakers cost an arm and a leg so now I need more of them? How is this not a big deal for those passionate about this hobby with expensive equipment?

I may not speak for most but wanted to voice my opinion, thanks and enjoy.

We don't know it yet, but maybe there is a trade in option? Someone who's in the industry could perhaps drop a word to Dolby and/or its partners to consider this. I'm sure there are people like yourself who bought a spanking new system just before Dolby made announcement. And that's a perfectly valid concern.

It's also perfectly fine if you're not excited or interested in Dolby Atmos. But bear in mind, Dolby Atmos is 100% backward compatible. If you don't have an Atmos system, the Blu-ray disc will play in 7.1 (or 5.1, depending on your system) without a hitch.

You always have the option of enjoying your setup first and upgrade much later, if and when the format matures.

In case you didn't know it yet, there are specially designed Atmos speakers that are meant to sit on top of your current speakers that project the sound towards the ceiling, for the height surrounds. You don't have to get the same set of speakers to match the rest. At minimum, it requires two of such speakers to enjoy the new format along with whichever speakers you already have. Of course, how much do these speakers costs remains to be seen.

It is also not an immediate upgrade. You may choose to upgrade later when you're ready. 7.1 soundtracks is and will always be a great format. The introduction of Dolby Atmos for homes will not rob you of that pleasure.

[JohnAV]

Dolby Atmos only relates to what one would refer to as a "Custom Home Theater", which usually entails a very serious audio/video fan with lots of money. Thereby lies the problem with marketing Dolby Atmos at this time, if only a very small niche group encompasses anyone that will eventually make use of it, how can Dolby define it as a success?

[slimdude]

Dolby Atmos is for the early adopters, who always want the latest and the greatest of every new A/V technology. They'll rush out and buy it regardless how lame it may be, just to keep up with The Joneses.

[BozQ]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Dolby Atmos only relates to what one would refer to as a "Custom Home Theater", which usually entails a very serious audio/video fan with lots of money. Thereby lies the problem with marketing Dolby Atmos at this time, if only a very small niche group encompasses anyone that will eventually make use of it, how can Dolby define it as a success?

Let Dolby decide. Dolby has had technologies that didn't have any widespread success. But it didn't stop them from innovating and pushing new technologies. We had Dolby Digital EX, which we had in DVDs for a few years before movies went back to regular 5.1 without EX. Then they do have other technologies like Dolby Pro Logic IIz, which was meant to upmix and simulate height channels from regular 5.1 or 7.1 soundtracks. But other than one video game I know, no one else got into it. And don't forget Dolby Vision, which other than Chicago, nobody seems to even know this exists.

The way I see it, Dolby Atmos is already gaining more attention than the above two I just mentioned. So I think it will see some moderate success. Perhaps in the same vein as Dolby Digital EX in the past.

In fact, Dolby's approach to Atmos is very similar to how they rolled out EX. They introduced it to cinemas first, with select movies mixed in the format. Then it was brought over to DVDs, without a need for new DVD players, but a receiver with EX decoding and the rear centre speaker. And it lasted for maybe four years? Before everything went back to 5.1 again.

It also depends on whether there are additional charges for getting an Atmos enhanced Blu-ray. In the past, you'd have to pay a little extra for a DTS/DTS-ES/Dolby Digital EX soundtrack. Gladiator is probably one of them. The regular version was just DD 5.1, while some deluxe edition came with DDEX and DTS-ES 6.1

One thing's for sure, even though I will probably not get an Atmos HTS soon, I will definitely be getting an Atmos enabled Blu-ray if I have to choose. I'll even pick Atmos over 3D.

Originally Posted by slimdude

Dolby Atmos is for the early adopters, who always want the latest and the greatest of every new A/V technology. They'll rush out and buy it regardless how lame it may be, just to keep up with The Joneses.

That's harsh man. And Dolby Atmos is not lame. Don't knock it off if you haven't even experienced it in cinemas. It's one of the best cinema technologies introduced since modern stereoscopic 3D.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by BozQ

That's harsh man. And Dolby Atmos is not lame. Don't knock it off if you haven't even experienced it in cinemas. It's one of the best cinema technologies introduced since modern stereoscopic 3D.

I'm not being harsh, I just keep it real! I've heard Dolby Atmos, and it's not a technology that I would run out and invest in for home theater. I wasn't THAT impress with it because, I've heard ceiling speakers before. Ceiling speakers is nothing new! I already have a high end 7.1 sound system, and that's more than sufficient for me. Unless you have a spacious dedicated home theater in the basement or somewhere else, I want my living room to look like a home, not like a electronic store, by having speakers all over the place, and on top of the ceiling.... Money is not an issue either. I can afford to invest in Dolby Atmos, if I wanted to, but as I've stated before, Dolby Atmos didn't impress me that much. You can't polish a turd! A bad movie, is a bad movie with, or without Dolby Atmos, and the gimmick "stereophonic 3D".

[Krelldog1977]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

You have to admit your $5800 investment in a pre/pro is somewhat atypical, most enthusiast class components run a grand or two. For the majority of people it will not be that expensive an investment.


Atmos is aimed at everything from the HTiB crowd to the top of the line. Any high end component is at risk of being rendered obsolete in a short time. TVs alone have gone from 1080p to 3D to 4K in the past few years alone. Imagine those who in 2008 bought a $100000 103-inch Panasonic plasma and are now looking at similarly sized (or larger) 4K displays that are not near as much?

In the audiophile realm electronics and speakers cost thousands...for each piece of gear. " Enthusiastic Class " ? That's a term you made up.

Enjoy your system Pete...!

B

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by BozQ

It also depends on whether there are additional charges for getting an Atmos enhanced Blu-ray.

Most would agree with that comment. Why bother paying more?