Dolby Atmos, Auro, and 3D audio thread

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

I'm not a betting man but I had a feeling it was going to be the first title since the release was so close to CEDIA and Michael Bay & Dolby have a great working relationship.


I'm going out on a limb by saying I wouldn't be surprised if these titles were Atmos on release:


X-Men Days of Future Past
Maleficent
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Do you think any of those films will have audio fans shelling out enough money for a new receiver, four speakers (at least), and installation costs to mount that stuff cleanly?


I don't think so. Avatar couldn't do it, and these are all pretty much run-of-the-mill movies. It will take a lot more of them to spur interest in that kind of expenditure - especially with 4K/UHD standards not set yet.

[AudioWarrior]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Fixed it for you

You didn't have too. My keyboard is acting finicky, it's solar powered! Needs to charge...

[AudioWarrior]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

Do you think any of those films will have audio fans shelling out enough money for a new receiver, four speakers (at least), and installation costs to mount that stuff cleanly?


I don't think so. Avatar couldn't do it, and these are all pretty much run-of-the-mill movies. It will take a lot more of them to spur interest in that kind of expenditure - especially with 4K/UHD standards not set yet.

Although Avatar is a billion dollar movie "actually made the most money in history, if I remember?", and the fact that it had the merchandising, advertisements, it could not push 3d alone! Anybody with a brain cell could see 3D not breaking into the mainstream! Why? Well it's been done 3 times already in the past, each and every time it failed miserably!

The only way it's going to work, is if it's not forced onto people, if it were to have a small premium and was included in every Blu-ray disc as standard. Then maybe, just maybe it would have some relevancy!

[rbg08]

Originally Posted by AudioWarrior

Just a general warning. This movie will be rereleased on 4k Blu-ray next year! Something to think about....

4K blu's may begin hitting the shelf by the end of 2015 for new releases, but previously released movies will take years to be re-released in 4K. Heck blu-ray's been around for over 8 years and there are still many titles that haven't made the conversion yet from DVD.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

Do you think any of those films will have audio fans shelling out enough money for a new receiver, four speakers (at least), and installation costs to mount that stuff cleanly?


I don't think so. Avatar couldn't do it, and these are all pretty much run-of-the-mill movies. It will take a lot more of them to spur interest in that kind of expenditure - especially with 4K/UHD standards not set yet.

Why not? People shell out all sorts of money for audio gear. Audio & 3D video are apples and oranges. Atmos may require more equipment but it doesn't require the listener to wear anything. The glasses for 3D are a real dealbreaker for a lot of people. Despite not every living room being equipped for HT, 5.1 is a standard audio format for pretty much everything at minimum now.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Why not? People shell out all sorts of money for audio gear. Audio & 3D video are apples and oranges. Atmos may require more equipment but it doesn't require the listener to wear anything. The glasses for 3D are a real dealbreaker for a lot of people. Despite not every living room being equipped for HT, 5.1 is a standard audio format for pretty much everything at minimum now.

Thats a fact as seen in this sound and vision poll.
What Sort of Surround-Sound Setup Do You Have?

• 5.1/5.2 channels - 59% (891 votes)
• 7.1/7.2 channels - 30% (456 votes)
• 9.1/9.2 channels - 3% (53 votes)
• 11.1/11.2 or more channels - 2% (23 votes)
• No surround for me. Good old-fashioned 2-channel stereo is all I need - 6% (96 votes)

Total votes: 1519

On the apples and oranges, very true 3D glasses were a turn off, but what a lot of people understand is that altering your primary audio system for the sake of 3D audio is just as big as a turn off. All this technology is coming very fast on all of us, 4K BD media, 12 bit UDTV's, 3D audio object immersive home theater decoding and speaker layouts. Each of us are going to weight the pro's and con's of this, and go forward when they need to.

[AudioWarrior]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Thats a fact as seen in this sound and vision poll.
What Sort of Surround-Sound Setup Do You Have?

• 5.1/5.2 channels - 59% (891 votes)
• 7.1/7.2 channels - 30% (456 votes)
• 9.1/9.2 channels - 3% (53 votes)
• 11.1/11.2 or more channels - 2% (23 votes)
• No surround for me. Good old-fashioned 2-channel stereo is all I need - 6% (96 votes)

Total votes: 1519

On the apples and oranges, very true 3D glasses were a turn off, but what a lot of people understand is that altering comes primary audio system for the sake of 3D audio is just as big as a turn off. All this technology is coming very fast on all of us, 4K BD media, 12 bit UDTV's, 3D audio object immersive home theater decoding and speaker layouts. Each of us are going to weight the pro's and con's of this, and go forward when they need to.

I rather get technology fast, then Video technology being stale since 1955-2000

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by AudioWarrior

I rather get technology fast, then Video technology being stale since 1955-2000

Are you that old?

[AudioWarrior]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Are you that old?

No, just giving my 2 cents!

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Why not? People shell out all sorts of money for audio gear. Audio & 3D video are apples and oranges. Atmos may require more equipment but it doesn't require the listener to wear anything. The glasses for 3D are a real dealbreaker for a lot of people. Despite not every living room being equipped for HT, 5.1 is a standard audio format for pretty much everything at minimum now.

There are some very clear similarities.

1. 3-D has the glasses; Atmos has the ceiling-mounted speakers. Both are aesthetic disasters. Clamping big square boxes on the ceiling?
2. Both are expensive, and of limited use. Most films are not in 3-D, most films have not been encoded for Atmos. Other programming (music, normal television viewing, older material) does not come in either format, and doesn't require it.
3. The price premium to buy into it is high - perhaps higher for Atmos than for 3-D. A 3-D television is less than $1,000, but an Atmos receiver and speakers will cost more.
4. Quality of adapting material will be spotty. Will all sound mixes be the same, and utilize the material to show off Atmos in the best light? Probably not. It's not done now, for normal 5.1 and 7.1 mixes, or renderings on 3-D.

This format has a long way to go, for public acceptance. I'm having real problems figuring out how it will be physically installed in my home without looking terrible, for scant use. We'll see.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

There are some very clear similarities.

1. 3-D has the glasses; Atmos has the ceiling-mounted speakers. Both are aesthetic disasters. Clamping big square boxes on the ceiling?
2. The price premium to buy into it is high - perhaps higher for Atmos than for 3-D. A 3-D television is less than $1,000, but an Atmos receiver and speakers will cost more.

You're ignoring the many upward-firing speaker options for Atmos.


Pricing for a HTiB will be under $1K and get lower from there. It's the first generation, BD players were $1000 at one time too.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

[/LIST]You're ignoring the many upward-firing speaker options for Atmos.

Not at all, any more than you are ignoring sloped ceilings, multi-story home installations (the definition of nightmare ceiling installations), acoustic treatments on the ceilings and walls of many homes, or other factors.


At some point something that is esthetically attractive may be offered, but I'm not putting a "hat" speaker on my Sonus Fabers, or Definitive Mythos units. Nor do I relish the idea of placing even more speakers on the floor of my home, which has - in the main theater - 7 speakers, and two subwoofers, one of which is a dual unit nearly four feet wide.


I'm not downing Atmos. If it's that good, I'll figure out a solution. But it may be some time before I can do that, and extra time is the enemy of rapid adoption.

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Pricing for a HTiB will be under $1K and get lower from there. It's the first generation, BD players were $1000 at one time too.

Retro mi, Satanas! HTIB is not entering my home, no way. Toss Pioneer Elite, JL Audio subs, Sonus Faber, Mythos ST and other Mythos speakers, for HTIB - to get Atmos? What next, a soundbar?


You can figure some homes will not be as fanatical, and may go for an HTIB solution, but I doubt it. And my first Blu player - in 2006 - cost $500.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

[/LIST]You're ignoring the many upward-firing speaker options for Atmos.

Pricing for a HTiB will be under $1K and get lower from there. It's the first generation, BD players were $1000 at one time too.

Both things you listed are fairly unattractive to a home theater enthusiast. I know you are trying to be proactive about all this, but would you buy a Atmos HTIB for yourself as a solution? Personally I cringe at the thought of that.

[Ryan0503]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Both things you listed are fairly unattractive to a home theater enthusiast. I know you are trying to be proactive about all this, but would you buy a Atmos HTIB for yourself as a solution? Personally I cringe at the thought of that.

I thought the upfiring add ons were a pretty good option and I concider myself to be an enthusist. Id rather not have in wall speakers as I am Active Duty Military and dont want to buy a new system every time I move. I am planning on getting a new reciever as my next upgrade and may as well look into Atmos. I don't see myself jumping on the 4K train any time soon but Atmos my be doable. If its really all they promise in the home that is!!

PS Id never go back to a HTIB.

[datlocolatino]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

There are some very clear similarities.

1. 3-D has the glasses; Atmos has the ceiling-mounted speakers. Both are aesthetic disasters. Clamping big square boxes on the ceiling?
2. Both are expensive, and of limited use. Most films are not in 3-D, most films have not been encoded for Atmos. Other programming (music, normal television viewing, older material) does not come in either format, and doesn't require it.
3. The price premium to buy into it is high - perhaps higher for Atmos than for 3-D. A 3-D television is less than $1,000, but an Atmos receiver and speakers will cost more.
4. Quality of adapting material will be spotty. Will all sound mixes be the same, and utilize the material to show off Atmos in the best light? Probably not. It's not done now, for normal 5.1 and 7.1 mixes, or renderings on 3-D.

This format has a long way to go, for public acceptance. I'm having real problems figuring out how it will be physically installed in my home without looking terrible, for scant use. We'll see.

I think the glasses aesthetic is more of an active 3D issue. I have passive and people give me their real 3D glasses when they go to theater so I have plenty and no batteries. And of course theyre not as big and bulky or heavy.

Now I agree theres many things to consider as far as thosehigh level speakers, but for myself im planning on just getting in ceiling speakers as I have a drop ceiling and it should be relatively painless as far as installation, but I may have one of the easier options. I dont think for most people that upward firing speaker is going to be a necessity, especially for smalller rooms.

[AudioWarrior]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Both things you listed are fairly unattractive to a home theater enthusiast. I know you are trying to be proactive about all this, but would you buy a Atmos HTIB for yourself as a solution? Personally I cringe at the thought of that.

The premium is too high for HTIB! Do you know what kind of speaker setup you can get for 1k? They may not be Atmos ready but sound quality wise, they will blow away a HTIB solution! You can get yourself a fairly kick ass receiver for $300-$400 dollars and a slamming pair of Bookshelves for $400 that would blow away any HTIB? And you'd still have money left over for speaker wires and a CC speaker!

The only solution that looks some what acceptable, are the Pioneer Elite Dolby Atmos ready speakers. You can get yourself a pair of bookshelves for $700, which is quite costly for unproven speakers!

With 1k you can get a pair of Psb imagine x2t, or a pair of KEf R300, which can be upgraded to Atmos, if you have another grand! That's the only brand I would look to right now for a Atmos setup, if I didn't have my current Paradigm Signature series setup!

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by AudioWarrior

The premium is too high for HTIB! Do you know what kind of speaker setup you can get for 1k? They may not be Atmos ready but sound quality wise, they will blow away a HTIB solution! You can get yourself a fairly kick ass receiver for $300-$400 dollars and a slamming pair of Bookshelves for $400 that would blow away any HTIB? And you'd still have money left over for speaker wires and a CC speaker!

The only solution that looks some what acceptable, are the Pioneer Elite Dolby Atmos ready speakers. You can get yourself a pair of bookshelves for $700, which is quite costly for unproven speakers!

With 1k you can get a pair of Psb imagine x2t, or a pair of KEf R300, which can be upgraded to Atmos, if you have another grand! That's the only brand I would look to right now for a Atmos setup, if I didn't have my current Paradigm Signature series setup!

You getting to why you just don't buy technology, instead you make the best out of what you can buy for a given price.

[BozQ]

Just received this email newsletter. A receiver is coming that supports both Auro 3D and Dolby Atmos. Not much more details is known at this time.

http://www.auro-3d.com/blog/breaking...d-dolby-atmos/

[JohnAV]

2L is releasing a PureAudio Blu-ray, ​MAGNIFICANT, that features Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D tracks.
http://www.2l.no/pages/album/106.html

MAGNIFICAT - Nidarosdomens jentekor & TrondheimSolistene - YouTube

Now this is where I start getting picky about any 3D immersive speaker setup. I know there are some enthusiast who thinks 3D sound is just about home theater, but as you can see its has other uses. In that regard speaker quality is paramount if you at all a audiophile also.

[BozQ]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

2L is releasing a PureAudio Blu-ray, ​MAGNIFICANT, that features Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D tracks.
http://www.2l.no/pages/album/106.html

MAGNIFICAT - Nidarosdomens jentekor & TrondheimSolistene - YouTube

Now this is where I start getting picky about any 3D immersive speaker setup. I know there are some enthusiast who thinks 3D sound is just about home theater, but as you can see its has other uses. In that regard speaker quality is paramount if you at all a audiophile also.

How did I miss this?
I know 2L is about the only group that releases Blu-ray with Auro 9.1
If I remember right, this should be their third Auro 9.1 BD. But I'm surprised they're doing this in Dolby Atmos.