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Microsoft Xbox One and Windows 10 Getting Dolby Atmos Surround Sound (betanews.com)
BrianFagioli quotes a report from BetaNews: When people think of the technology behind video games and movies, they often just focus on the visuals. True, when creating an immersive experience, the video is probably the most important aspect from a technological perspective. With that said, audio quality is very important too. Today, Microsoft announces that both Xbox One And Windows 10 will be getting Dolby Atmos support in future updates. If you aren't familiar, it is a surround sound technology with a focus on immersion. Don't have compatible audio hardware? Don't worry -- the Windows-maker is promising a "virtual" Atmos experience too. Larry Hryb, Xbox Live's Major Nelson said in a statement, "Xbox will be the first game console to feature Dolby Atmos and game developers are excited about using the new capabilities to make their games richer and more engaging. Atmos support for the Blu-ray app on Xbox is already available in Preview and will be released to GA soon -- and we're very excited now to offer Atmos support to games on Xbox One and Windows 10."
If you aren't familiar, it is a surround sound technology with a focus on immersion. Don't have compatible audio hardware? Don't worry -- the Windows-maker is promising a "virtual" Atmos experience too.
Atmos adds more surround channels. Typically this is 1 or 2 surround channels directly above you.
No one sane has a setup that can support this. Even in the theaters it's pointless. It adds nothing (and I say this as someone who has a 7.1 setup instead of your typical 5.1).
Al the virtual shit Dolby puts out is awful, as well.
Don't give them money for this shit. Atmos is a (shitty) solution in search of a problem. When most people think a soundbar provides great audio, you know they're trembling in their boots. 99% of people will be well-served by a 5.1 HTiB for a few hundred bucks. Enthusiasts will go for more expensive receivers and amps (and the redundant preamp), and maybe to 7.1. Only morons go for anything beyond that, especially as there is no fucking content for it (and what little there is is gimmicky shit).