Dolby Atmos, Auro, and 3D audio thread

[BozQ]

Originally Posted by slimdude

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. I want my house to look like a home, not like a electronic store, having speakers all over the place.... 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".

Then it's obvious I cannot change your mind if you insist. I think it's a terrific format and I'd gladly jump in if I had a huge cache of money hidden somewhere. My wife was very impressed with it and actually tells me to look into getting a HTS that would fit into our home in the future.

Originally Posted by JohnAV

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

I would without second thoughts. I used to do it with DVDs in the past, paying more for DTS soundtracks. Hell, I had to import a lot of DVDs because many of these DTS-ES DVDs never make it into the region. I did it before and I'll do it again with Atmos.

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

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?

Anyone who spent $100K on any TV has to have so much money to burn that they won't care that there are 4K sets for less money. I'm really not worried about the "1%".

And I think it's silly to "complain" when the price of technology decreases. It's absolutely incredible how inexpensive much (not all) technology has become. The fact that one can purchase a CD-R drive or a 16GB USB drive for a price of a pizza is beyond belief.

The reality is that the manufacturers underpriced their sets which is why most of them lost money for years and many have now retrenched from the market. At the Value Electronics "shootout" this year, we only saw Samsung, Sony and LG.

The Macintosh 128K machine cost $2495 when it was released in 1984. No hard disk, just a single 300K floppy. That $2495 is $5723 in 2014 dollars. My $200 phone probably has 100,000x the computing power.

[SubSolar]

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.

I don't understand this anger. So, they're not supposed to come out with new technologies unless you can use existing equipment? You shouldn't spend so much on electronics, they are outdated in no time. Speakers you can keep much longer cause the tech doesn't change as much. I bought a Denon 3313 less than two years ago and will be replacing it with an Atmos receiver this year. That will be replaced in a year or two also, when HDCP 2.2 and other stuff is added.

It doesn't matter if you spend $5,000 or $10,000 or $100,000 on your electronics, it will still be outdated in a year or two. No one is forcing you to have an Atmos setup. Just like most people didn't upgrade from their 5.1 to 7.1 or 11.2 or whatever. But don't be mad if other people like the new technologies and are willing to pay for the experience.

[Krelldog1977]

Originally Posted by SubSolar

I don't understand this anger. So, they're not supposed to come out with new technologies unless you can use existing equipment? You shouldn't spend so much on electronics, they are outdated in no time. Speakers you can keep much longer cause the tech doesn't change as much. I bought a Denon 3313 less than two years ago and will be replacing it with an Atmos receiver this year. That will be replaced in a year or two also, when HDCP 2.2 and other stuff is added.

It doesn't matter if you spend $5,000 or $10,000 or $100,000 on your electronics, it will still be outdated in a year or two. No one is forcing you to have an Atmos setup. Just like most people didn't upgrade from their 5.1 to 7.1 or 11.2 or whatever. But don't be mad if other people like the new technologies and are willing to pay for the experience.

MY deepest apologies. You are right of course,

Enjoy the Denon.

[PeterTHX]

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?

How the heck is a Home Theater In A Box (HTiB) for under $1000 considered "for serious fans with lots of money"? Best Buy is niche?

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

How the heck is a Home Theater In A Box (HTiB) for under $1000 considered "for serious fans with lots of money"? Best Buy is niche?

How the heck does Dolby Atmos make any difference on a cheap HTIB system?

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by SubSolar

I don't understand this anger. So, they're not supposed to come out with new technologies unless you can use existing equipment? You shouldn't spend so much on electronics, they are outdated in no time. Speakers you can keep much longer cause the tech doesn't change as much. I bought a Denon 3313 less than two years ago and will be replacing it with an Atmos receiver this year. That will be replaced in a year or two also, when HDCP 2.2 and other stuff is added.

It doesn't matter if you spend $5,000 or $10,000 or $100,000 on your electronics, it will still be outdated in a year or two. No one is forcing you to have an Atmos setup. Just like most people didn't upgrade from their 5.1 to 7.1 or 11.2 or whatever. But don't be mad if other people like the new technologies and are willing to pay for the experience.

There's a gap in logic here. I have two outstanding receivers, the Pioneer 84tsxi units. Neither decodes the newer high-end codecs, and I've been using them to play back higher-end audio for about seven years.


Decoding is done by the player, and bitstreamed to my receiver. Why should I have to replace it?


If a unit that powers up only four speakers (or however many becomes the Atmos standard), can't that be an add-on? What's the reason for this fashion show sales nonsense from the manufacturers? Pass through the basic 5 or 7 channels to existing equipment, and the Atmos module does the rest of the chores.


These don't look like high-end speakers, anyway. Full range speakers, at moderate volume, at best. I'd prefer a tweeter-woofer setup, on general principle, but they're not playing back a lot of data form appearances. What are we talking about - 25 or 30 watts apiece, in the home environment, on only a fraction of the source material that most people already have. I'm not going to see Atmos on The Dark Side Of The Moon, or Lawrence of Arabia, and I'm supposed to replace a receiver that works just fine. Doesn't make sense.


It's going to be a huge "ask" of most people, audiophiles or not, to rewire homes - possibly with exposed wiring, and some kind of hanging gizmo on the ceiling - for limited content, mixed with variable skill. They should market an "Atmos Bundle" with a small amplifier and speakers to do this.


The general marketing idea is to offer a new technology, then lump it all into a single box and call it indispensable. That doesn't make financial sense in this case - most people don't want to sell, trade, or give away perfectly good gear for a fashion statement. This is one type of merchandise that would highly benefit from a clean add-on, though that idea is anathema to most markets. They want to tied in with no way to run away.


They'll figure it out, if they can find a focus group of home users that aren't trying to play the "first kid on your block" with all their gear. Otherwise, this thing, as nice as it is, will wait for a while to take off.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by BozQ

I would without second thoughts. I used to do it with DVDs in the past, paying more for DTS soundtracks. Hell, I had to import a lot of DVDs because many of these DTS-ES DVDs never make it into the region. I did it before and I'll do it again with Atmos.

You missed my point, if it is strictly Dolby True HD vs Dolby True HD Atmos encoded and your paying a premium for that only.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

You missed my point, if it is strictly Dolby True HD vs Dolby True HD Atmos encoded and your paying a premium for that only.

How is he paying a premium for Dolby TrueHD with Atmos if the titles don't cost any more than they usually do?


Again, it's not like 3D where separate discs are usually required.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

How the heck does Dolby Atmos make any difference on a cheap HTIB system?

Because they will have the Atmos (that radiate towards the ceiling) speakers.

[SubSolar]

Originally Posted by Krelldog1977

MY deepest apologies. You are right of course,

Enjoy the Denon.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

There's a gap in logic here. I have two outstanding receivers, the Pioneer 84tsxi units. Neither decodes the newer high-end codecs, and I've been using them to play back higher-end audio for about seven years.


Decoding is done by the player, and bitstreamed to my receiver. Why should I have to replace it?

Well, most receivers for the past several years have been able to decode bitstreamed codecs. I got mine in late 2007. That was nearly 7 years ago.


Your player will not decode Atmos. NO player will be able to decode Atmos. Probably never. Most players can't decode EX/ES soundtracks either so for me it was a no brainer to bitstream.


In any case, your player will continue to decode the Dolby TrueHD tracks, it will just ignore the extra Atmos data. As will every other player and receiver that decodes Dolby TrueHD and not Atmos.

It's going to be a huge "ask" of most people, audiophiles or not, to rewire homes - possibly with exposed wiring, and some kind of hanging gizmo on the ceiling - for limited content, mixed with variable skill. They should market an "Atmos Bundle" with a small amplifier and speakers to do this.

Which is precisely the HTiB I was talking about. No speaker hanging required. You just double up the wiring to the surround backs and the main speakers for the Atmos radiators.

The general marketing idea is to offer a new technology, then lump it all into a single box and call it indispensable. That doesn't make financial sense in this case - most people don't want to sell, trade, or give away perfectly good gear for a fashion statement.

Ever hear of a little company called Apple? Most of their existence is predicated on people constantly upgrading their stuff. Ask any iPhone/iPad user. $500 a pop to upgrade their phone/tablet every year or two (amortized through their plans)?


Those who want Atmos right away will have to buy new equipment. Those upgrading gradually over the years will find Atmos already included in their new receivers. I don't see the big deal here.

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

How the heck is a Home Theater In A Box (HTiB) for under $1000 considered "for serious fans with lots of money"? Best Buy is niche?

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Because they will have the Atmos (that radiate towards the ceiling) speakers.

I get the impression that a cheap low quality home theatre in a box system is what you will be purchasing for Atmos?

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Cevolution

I get the impression that a cheap low quality home theatre in a box system is what you will be purchasing for Atmos?

Ummm, no?


Knowing about other products. I know about Seiki, Insignia, etc and would never touch those with a ten foot pole...precisely because I do know what they are and where they come from.


I'm not ready for a receiver upgrade until late 2015 anyway.

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Ummm, no?


Knowing about other products. I know about Seiki, Insignia, etc and would never touch those with a ten foot pole...precisely because I do know what they are and where they come from.


I'm not ready for a receiver upgrade until late 2015 anyway.

Thanks for clearing that up. They are not good enough for you the same as they are not good enough for the rest of us, therefore considering this is a site for enthusiasts, I don't think HTiB should even enter into the equation, because no one here cares about them . I have been wanting to purchasing a new AVR, but will probably hold off now due to Atmos.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

How is he paying a premium for Dolby TrueHD with Atmos if the titles don't cost any more than they usually do?
Again, it's not like 3D where separate discs are usually required.

You don't know that for a fact do you.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Because they will have the Atmos (that radiate towards the ceiling) speakers.

So rush out and get one and tell us if it sounds any better then a HTIB 5.1 system. Were all dying to know!

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

You don't know that for a fact do you.

Well since it seems you know next to nothing about Atmos, how do you know they will?

Originally Posted by JohnAV

So rush out and get one and tell us if it sounds any better then a HTIB 5.1 system. Were all dying to know!

Why are you participating in this topic? Just to threadcrap?

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Cevolution

Thanks for clearing that up. They are not good enough for you the same as they are not good enough for the rest of us, therefore considering this is a site for enthusiasts, I don't think HTiB should even enter into the equation, because no one here cares about them. I have been wanting to purchasing a new AVR, but will probably hold off now due to Atmos.

People have some of the cheapest BD players, budget TVs, soundbars, HTiBs, etc. on this site. People wondering why movies have to be letterboxed or what Dolby TrueHD or DTS-MA is. You have to remember this is a site for everyone, not just enthusiasts.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Well since it seems you know next to nothing about Atmos, how do you know they will?
Why are you participating in this topic? Just to threadcrap?

The studios have always been likely to use any new technology buzz word to mark up media. You know that, and I know that, lets not kid ourselves. All I said earlier was its something to be concerned about.