Dolby Atmos coming to Windows 10 and Xbox

Uriel

Uriel

Uriel

Soldato
Joined
15 Jan 2006
Posts
7,804
Location
Derbyshire
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...s-10-to-get-dolby-atmos-audio-support-in-2017

Interesting news. If there's widespread take-up on this with developers, there'll be far less call for low-to-middle grade gaming soundcards. Not that that's exactly a growing market anyway.

But - native 3D audio in most games? It can only be a good thing really. I know some aren't keen on the effects but I guess you can turn it off if you want.

Edit: Link to Windows Store App: http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=703...t.com/dolby-atmos-windows-xbox-one-app/&xtz=0
 
Last edited:
shankly1985 said:
It's miles better than dolby headphone that's for sure.
Click to expand...

If you say so...

Dolby Atmos for headphone sound exactly like Dolby Headphone to me. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same algorithm applied to 3d space instead of virtual speakers (but I could be wrong on that).

You can get a similar effect by mixing Dolby Headphone with a 3d sound system for speakers (e.g CMSS-3D in 4 or fewer channels) - giving a 3d sound representation but to my knowlege there isn't a single soundcard that will do that. It involves mixing capable soundcards and receiver type equipment. Works best with DH1 because of the lack of simulated room reflections compared to DH2 or DH3.

Actually CMSS-3D Headphone almost did the job -I just never found it convincing at representing distance. THX Trustudio headphone is a little better in that regard but I still prefer Dolby (either Atmos or Headphone).

If Microsoft get Atmos for headphone working with existing games natively in Windows 10, it might save me some space anyway.
 
There's a secondary question I suppose. Do they just mean native Dolby Atmos via HDMI (which will need a capable receiver and a HDMI connection to work) - or do they mean a Dolby Atmos Headphone mode, which will spit out virtualised 3d audio via any set of headphones plugged into the PC.

Both would be nice.

Even better would be giving the PCs ability to spit out Atmos sound via just a bog-standard set of PC speakers without a receiver (including pointing some upwards or ceiling mounting them) - but I very much doubt that will happen.
 
Seems only games that already have support for Atmos for this to work? I guess only Windows store games also?

The Dolby Atmos for Headphones Preview for Windows Insider Program enables you to experience Dolby Atmos over headphones.

Experience Dolby Atmos for Headphones:

Designed for Dolby Atmos enabled games and movies, Dolby Atmos for headphones creates powerful, moving audio, taking spatial information from audio objects to create a fuller, more immersive experience over headphones.

Games in Dolby Atmos put you in the middle of the action, letting you pinpoint enemies and obstacles that aren't on-screen. You're not just playing the game—you feel like you're in it. When you watch movies in Dolby Atmos, the sounds of people, music, and things come alive with breathtaking realism and move around you with spatial precision.
 
At the very minimum, it will need a 3d sound API in game. I can't see a way for games featuring a 2d software surround mixer to be upgraded (unless they adapted it to virtualise 5.1 or 7.1 like Dolby Headpone does on something like Xonar - that wouldn't give an elevation effect though). That would mean about 90% of games from the XP era might work - then it falls off a cliff for a few years (thanks for that Microsoft :rolleyes:) before starting to re-appear recently.

I assume this has to be some sort of wrapper for games. Game developers can already include Atmos Headphone in games (presumably under license) so it must be something that can enable it in games where it isn't featured natively. I'm hoping it's something that existing games can benefit from and not just new releases.

Interested in how this will work with movies too. Will they need to be from the Windows Store I wonder? Or are we going to be able to stick in an Atmos blu-ray and get the effects over headphones in Windows with some suitable playback software?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom