Does Netflix Support Dolby Atmos? (Find Out Now)

Does Netflix Support Dolby Atmos? Yes! Netflix supports Dolby Atmos passthrough from external audio output devices to TVs and other supported audio systems. If a movie or TV show is available in both formats, Netflix will automatically pick up the best audio format available. This statement was made by a Netflix representative. So it can be trusted.

The company does not support any of its own apps that provide an Atmos listening experience directly through the device (e.g., NVIDIA SHIELD), nor is there any expectation that they will add such support in the future.

“We don’t plan on adding native support for our apps like Playstation, Amazon FireTV, Xbox One, and Android TV,” the spokesperson continued. “This is because we recognize that most consumers will use these devices to playback content with another app that supports Atmos.”

Netflix is a streaming service that allows users to watch movies and TV shows from a computer or internet-connected device. The Netflix library contains thousands of options in 1080p and, as of April 2016, more than 500 titles in 4K UHD, with a growing number being offered in HDR. Let’s deep dive into the article.

What should I do to ensure that I am getting the best sound quality?

To ensure that you’re getting the best sound quality, it’s important to make sure that your speaker system is properly calibrated and set up. This can be done through the audio settings on your device or through your home theater system’s settings.

With the right setup, you can experience the full range of Dolby Atmos sound and get the most out of your Netflix viewing experience.

If you’re a Windows 10 user, you can also enjoy Dolby Atmos audio on your PC with the right hardware and software. With a premium subscription to Netflix and a compatible smart TV, you can enjoy immersive sound on a larger screen, bringing the movie theater experience to your living room.

What is Atmos?

Dolby Atmos is an advanced sound technology that was announced in 2012 and has quickly become the gold standard for surround sound in cinemas all over the world.  

Dolby Atmos is an audio format which goes beyond traditional surround sound by adding a third dimension of sound. This means that sound effects can be placed and moved in a 3D space, creating a more realistic and immersive sound experience.

With the help of Dolby Atmos audio, you can hear every detail of the sound design, from the subtle rustling of leaves to the thunderous roar of a spaceship.

All of the major Hollywood studios are now releasing their films on digital formats with Dolby Atmos surround, and more importantly, they’re also increasing the bitrate on these tracks so you get a higher-quality listening experience.

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You might like to read: Dolby Atmos Vs Dolby Vision: Key difference, which is better?

Why does this matter for Netflix? 

Netflix is one of the most popular streaming platforms, known for its high-quality viewing experience. If you’re a Dolby Atmos sound fan, you may wonder whether Netflix supports this advanced audio system. The good news is that Netflix does indeed support Dolby Atmos, providing viewers with an immersive sound experience that adds a new dimension to their favorite movies and TV shows.

Right now, Netflix offers some movies and shows with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround in both 4K and HD (480p/720p/1080p).  This means that when you playback your favorite TV show or movie, you will enjoy high-definition surround sound, and it’s also exactly the same technology that we use for 3D Blu-ray content.

What about Atmos then?  While Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 is great (and really improving daily), this format cannot be upgraded to add Atmos support without re-encoding the entire soundtrack (which would add significant file size). 

Netflix has been taking steps towards updating their catalog with more HD content in 4K and HDR – but even if they did, there simply isn’t enough room on a standard 50GB Blu-ray disc to include all of these new tracks and keep the bitrate high enough for our needs (especially given how cheap storage space has become).

This brings us to the next logical question – why aren’t they just using Atmos in 4K?  Well, even though there’s great progress being made with frame rates and higher dynamic range, the truth is that no one would notice any difference between a 4K video stream encoded with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 vs the same stream encoded with Dolby Atmos. 

Why? Because right now Netflix uses an incredibly standard encoder that’s only capable of outputting 8-bit color depth (the same as DVDs) which can also be downscaled for streaming on lower-end devices.

However, this doesn’t mean you’re getting shortchanged! While our eyes are certainly more sensitive to changes in resolution and HDR, the human ear is actually far more sensitive to changes in audio – especially higher frequencies.  

This means that Atmos tracks give you a better listening experience than standard Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 tracks (and may even provide an additional virtual surround effect because certain sounds can “hover” over your head).

Netflix offers a growing library of content that supports Dolby Atmos, including popular movies like “Bird Box” and TV shows like “Stranger Things”. To enjoy Dolby Atmos on Netflix, you’ll need an audio system that supports the format, such as a home theater system or a surround sound system. You’ll also need a TV screen that supports Ultra HD and Dolby Vision for the best viewing experience.

Watch this video How to get Dolby Atmos on Netflix

What about DTS-HD Master Audio?

DTS-HD Master Audio is a similar technology to Dolby Atmos – but it’s not as widely supported right now. As a result, Netflix would need to encode its entire catalog with this new codec as well.  If they don’t do this at all, then support for this format will never happen. 

That’s why we’re seeing Netflix continue to focus on Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 – it’s also why we’re not getting a new streaming device from them any time soon.  Seriously… who wants another Roku when the technology hasn’t even been updated since 2008?

	Netflix	iTunes	Vudu	Prime Video
Apple TV 4K	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Roku	No	No	Yes	Yes
Amazon Fire TV	No	No	No	Yes
Nvidia Shield	No	No	Yes	Yes
Chromecast Ultra	No	No	Yes	No
Xbox One	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

How can you get better sound without Atmos?

While we still have a lot of work to do before we see plenty of movies with Atmos support, we can improve your listening experience right now.  Let’s take a look at how you can bring Atmos into your home and what you need to know:

1. Make sure you have an AV Receiver that supports HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2if anyone tells you otherwise, they’re simply wrong.  If you don’t have these features, the only way to get Atmos is through software upgrades on your existing hardware – which likely won’t happen anytime soon.

2. Make sure that the AV Receiver in question supports “Dolby TrueHD”, “DTS-HD Master Audio”, or both formats (and if not, make sure it’s capable of decoding them down to something it can be passed via HDMI)

3. Next, make sure that the specific Blu-ray disc has an Atmos track encoded into its sound mix.  Some movies are even available with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X tracks… So keep this in mind when you try watching a movie for the first time – you may need to manually select the correct one (don’t worry, that’s usually very easy).

4. Now it’s time to configure your AV Receiver.  If everything above was done correctly, it should automatically detect both formats and pass them through via HDMI (we recommend using the speakers connected directly to your AV Receiver for best results).  This can be done in either “auto” or “direct” mode.

5. To get the best results, we almost always recommend watching content with Atmos-enabled on a 4K/HDR TV whenever possible.  While this won’t apply if you’re watching standard 1080p Blu-rays, every single 4K Blu-ray disc is encoded with HDR data.  

This means that you’ll automatically have a better HDR experience when watching movies with Atmos-enabled.

6. If for whatever reason this setup doesn’t work for you, post a comment below and let us know.  We can help troubleshoot any problems as well as provide recommendations on what to buy next.

7. Lastly, if you want to learn more about how your home theater works – make sure to check out our 5 part video series on the different features and technologies commonly found inside of audio/video receivers.

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Do you know anything about this?

Netflix began encoding/decoding Dolby Atmos with season 2 of Daredevil. Since then they’ve released more and more content which includes Atmos, such as House of Cards season 3, Marco Polo season 1, and Jessica Jones. Going forward any new Netflix original series and movies will include Atmos support.

Netflix is one of the most popular media platforms available around the world today and home to a great many movie titles for people to look through. If you’re thinking of buying an entertainment system anytime soon perhaps we can help with that too. You won’t be disappointed.

What do you need in order to play Netflix Dolby Atmos content?

To watch Netflix content in Dolby Atmos you need the following: A compatible device with support for Dolby Atmos. This includes most modern Blu-ray players, built-in smart TV apps, Apple TV 4th gen, and Roku 4. 

Your AV receiver also needs to be compatible with Dolby Atmos. Most of the newer AV receivers have this but it’s always best to check before buying one just in case.

What are some benefits of listening to Netflix with Dolby atmos enabled on my sound system?

With Atmos, you’ll experience more powerful audio that puts you right into the middle of your screen with dynamic surround effects. You can even hear clear sounds above you like birds flying overhead or an airplane passing by.

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What are some downsides of watching Netflix with Dolby atmos enabled on my sound system?

One downside is that not all Netflix content will support Atmos, so you’ll need to check first before buying or renting something if you want the best experience possible. Atmos isn’t for everyone either as it takes some getting used to but it’s definitely worth trying out.

If you’re already using an entertainment system with 3D enabled, then you’ll probably enjoy things even more than before I would think.

What do you use to watch Netflix Dolby Atmos movies? You can use any device that supports at least 5.1 surround sound and is also supported by Digital Plus (like Macbooks, PCs, or the latest iPhones).

You can also watch Netflix in Atmos on any of the latest TVs that support this format. To my knowledge most popular brands like Samsung, Sony, LG, and Panasonic all have their own platforms with built-in apps to stream Netflix content in Atmos.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re a fan of immersive sound and advanced audio formats, you’ll be pleased to know that Netflix supports Dolby Atmos. With a properly calibrated audio system and a subscription to Netflix’s premium plan, you can enjoy Dolby Atmos movies and TV shows from the comfort of your home theater.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ultimate sound experience with Dolby Atmos on Netflix. All rights reserved to Netflix and its streaming services.