Netflix debuts Dolby Atmos
June 28, 2017
Netflix is now supporting Dolby Atmos, beginning with Okja, a critically-praised film directed by Bong Joon Ho that recently debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, available globally on Netflix from June 28th.
Writing in the Netflix blog, Greg Peters, Chief Product Officer, says that much like how 4K and HDR bring more stunning and realistic visuals to the screen, Dolby Atmos delivers captivating sound that places and moves audio anywhere in the room, including overhead, to bring entertainment to life all around you, all in the comfort of your own living room. “Imagine being surrounded by the sounds of the scene you’re watching – an airplane passing overhead, or the subtlety of the wind rustling tree leaves all around you. Having the extra dimension of immersive audio is a game changer for experiencing the realism of a story, and feeling like you’re a part of it,” he says.
“We’re happy to begin providing this cutting-edge experience to our members and to the artists we work with, providing another creative tool to help them bring their vision to life in a more meaningful way for viewers,” he comments.
In addition to Okja, Dolby Atmos support will also be available for a select number of titles coming soon. Netflix expects the catalogue to grow over time. The initial set of titles it plans to offer in this format include:
- Okja (June 28)
- BLAME! (July 28)
- Death Note (August 25)
- Bright (December)
- Wheelman (2018)
Many of these titles will also be available in 4K and HDR, delivering spectacular visuals to complement the immersive sound.
Currently, Dolby Atmos streaming is supported on Microsoft’s Xbox One and Xbox One S. On the Xbox, subscribers can get this experience when their console is connected to a Dolby Atmos-enabled home theatre system, TV or soundbar, or via headphones using the new Dolby Atmos for headphones feature available for purchase through the Dolby Access app in the Xbox Store. The LG OLED TVs have built-in Dolby Atmos capabilities that create a 360° sound field around, without the need to connect an external sound system.
“Over time, we plan to add support to more devices, making the experience more accessible to Netflix members everywhere,” advises Peters. “I’m excited for Netflix members all over the world to be able to get a theatre-quality experience in the comfort of their own homes while watching Okja and the other excellent titles to come,” he concludes.
“Netflix and Dolby share the same vision for delivering spectacular experiences to consumers,” said Giles Baker, Senior Vice President, Consumer Entertainment Group, Dolby Laboratories. “With consumers already able to experience Dolby Vision on Netflix, it was a natural continuation of our partnership to bring a new level of immersive audio with Dolby Atmos to Netflix members around the world.”