5 Must-know Facts About Dolby

  • Dolby Atmos allows for up to 128 sound objects and as many as 64 different speakers.In 2014, Dolby Vision was the first HDR format to hit the consumer market.Dolby Atmos was first introduced at the premiere of Disney/Pixar’s Brave in 2012.To create 3D surround sound, Dolby Atmos incorporates new height channels on the ceiling.Dolby Vision supports as many as 68 billion distinct colors.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision are often brandished across film, television, video games, and streaming. The Dolby name is a common denominator, and both are often paired with descriptions like “4K” and “HDR”.

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However, they cover two completely separate functions and require completely different setups. So, what’s the difference between Dolby Atmos vs Dolby Vision?

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision are just two of the latest updates in a long line of innovative audio and display technologies, by Dolby Laboratories which has been around since 1965.

In our Dolby Atmos vs Dolby Vision, we can begin to see what sets them apart.

Let’s take a closer look at their key differences, explain their respective histories and, see their pros and cons.

Dolby Atmos vs Dolby Vision: Side by Side Comparison

Key Differences: Dolby Atmos vs Dolby Vision

Function

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It works with 5.1, 7.1, and 9.1 setups alike, so long as the consumer has the proper number of speakers in their surround sound setup. To function properly, a Dolby Atmos-enabled home theater or a cinema would need several ceiling speakers for the height channel.

Dolby Vision, on the other hand, delivers High Dynamic Range (HDR) video to home theaters, cinemas, and the like. In other words, Dolby Atmos exclusively pertains to audio while Dolby Vision is specific to displays. Its tech is proprietary, meaning that no other manufacturer or developer can use it without Dolby’s cooperation and permission.

That’s not to say all HDR is inherently Dolby Vision. It is just one of several different methods of delivering HDR video in today’s world.

Setup

A Dolby Atmos setup demands several key components in order to work properly. Firstly, you’ll need a Dolby Atmos-enabled receiver to hook the speakers up to. Secondly, you’ll need five to seven speakers, a subwoofer, and two to four ceiling speakers.

Thirdly, you’ll need a display technology capable of delivering Dolby Atmos sound. Lastly, you’ll need to set it all up according to Dolby Atmos standards. Only then will you have a true Dolby Atmos setup. Needless to say, it’s quite a process. For cinemas, it’s even more complex: they need up to 64 different speakers.

Whereas Dolby Atmos requires a network of speakers and a receiver to work, Dolby Vision simply needs enabled display. Whether it be a cell phone, a video game console, a smart TV, or a desktop computer monitor, Dolby Vision is built right into the display technology.

Many streamers, video games, and home videos utilize Dolby Vision. All you need to do is hit play or insert a disc and enjoy the HDR display that follows. No need for half a dozen or more pieces of supplemental hardware.

History of Dolby Atmos

In 2012, in conjunction with the release of Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures’ film Brave, Dolby Laboratories debuted the latest and greatest surround sound technology. They called it Dolby Atmos. It basically added a brand-new dimension to surround sound tech.

Through the incorporation of height channels to the setup, Dolby Atmos allows for even more immersive sound than ever before. It was first installed at the the El Capitan Theater in L.A., where Brave had its premiere. From there, Dolby expanded Atmos availability to 25 other theaters across the globe before the year’s end.

Additionally, Dolby Atmos can be found on television shows such as Starz’s Power and HBO’s Game of Thrones. Likewise, many bands have taken to mastering their albums in Dolby Atmos. R.E.M. was the first with their rerelease of 1992’s Automatic for the People.

Dolby Atmos is the go-to surround sound technology for home video and gaming alike today. Netflix, Disney Plus, and HBO Max all rely on Atmos. The same goes for the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S, which also incorporate Dolby Atmos in their consoles.

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Dolby Atmos incorporates as many as 128 audio tracks and relevant spatial audio descriptions to bring height to traditional 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound layouts. Specifically, the technology supports as many as 128 discrete audio tracks with as many as 64 separate speaker feeds.

History of Dolby Vision

Whereas Dolby Atmos deals with sound, Dolby Vision deals with visuals. It covers all the bases, including content creation, distribution, and playback. First introduced in 2014, Dolby Vision effectively kicked off the HDR craze in consumer technology.

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As a matter of fact, Dolby Vision was the first HDR format commercially available. It uses dynamic metadata to tweak and perfect every frame of an HDR video. This metadata allows content creators to optimize their videos to consumers’ display.

Similarly to Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision is not exclusive to one forum. It can be found in cinemas, home theaters as well as home video and video games. If a content creator were to max out all the specs available with Dolby Vision, they could put out a maximum resolution of 8K with a color depth up to 12 bits. Likewise, a maxed-out Dolby Vision can put out a maximum peak brightness of 10,000 nits.

However, it’s unlikely anyone would crank up all the levels like this. It’d probably look pretty garish. Besides, most consumer’s TVs wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Your average Dolby Vision metadata is probably going to be somewhat throttled. The technology’s truly capability far exceeds what modern consumer electronics can display. This isn’t a bad thing as it means Dolby Vision is future-proof.

As technology advances, Dolby Vision can remain the standard for HDR displays. Streaming and home video technology is everchanging, so being future-proof is a major advantage. Like Atmos, Dolby Vision is found on smartphones, streaming services, gaming consoles, and TVs.

Pros and Cons: Dolby Atmos vs Dolby Vision

Dolby Atmos

Dolby Vision

Dolby Atmos vs Dolby Vision: Which Is Better?

Needless to say, both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision are two essential technologies for audio-video setups. From optimal sound to top-of-the-line video, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision deliver the best, most cinematic home theater experience around.

Even so, the question remains: Which is the better technology? Dolby Atmos vs Dolby Vision? Truthfully, the two are better together. However, if you had to pick one, it’d probably be Dolby Vision.

Visual quality is easier to judge than audio quality. Surround sound can still be achieved outside of Dolby Atmos. Dolby Vision comes pre-enabled on many smartphones and televisions.

There’s no need to purchase additional hardware to make it work, Dolby Vision is future-proof, and looks to remain the industry’s standard for years. Not so with Dolby Atmos. Of the two, Dolby Vision is more innovative and is created HDR. Atmos merely enhances existing surround sound technology.

As the superior technology, Dolby Atmos beats Dolby Vision in terms of specs, delivering the better movie experience.

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