Netflix provides new audio format to Premium subscribers
Spatial audio on Netflix, not to be confused with Apple's audio feature, has been added to over 700 titles for Premium subscribers.
Netflix is rolling out spatial audio to hundreds of titles for users listening on devices with only two speakers, like TVs, laptops, and headphones. This doesn't apply to users with advanced home theater setups that support Dolby 5.1 or Dolby Atmos.
The "immersive cinematic sound experience" created by this spatial audio feature is expected to draw more Premium subscribers — that's Netflix's $20 per month plan. It creates a wider soundstage on stereo speaker setups to emulate surround sound.
Netflix collaborated with Sennheiser to convert surround sound mixes into spatial audio files that can be played through stereo speakers or headphones, which should be more immersive than standard stereo files. It initially rolled out the feature in July 2022 for Stranger Things but is now making it available to more titles.
This feature isn't to be confused with Apple's also-named Spatial Audio. Apple's version is also an audio feature, but it is actively processing incoming audio to create a 3D environment regardless of the number of speakers in use.
Netflix already supports Apple's Spatial Audio on any device with the feature. Basically, that's any modern iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV with operating system version 15.1 or later installed.
Apple's Spatial Audio uses information from Dolby Atmos, Dolby Surround, or stereo tracks to place audio around the user to the best of its ability. Atmos files provide the most data for this emulation and create the most fidelity. The technology also takes advantage of things like gyroscopes to let the user move through the audio.
Netflix, however, is supplying the user with a different audio encoding and calling it spatial audio. This new encoding doesn't rely on the output device or any algorithms to produce a wider soundstage. Instead, the audio file is providing different production instructions to the speakers to spread out sound more.
This is why the YouTube video embedded in the Netflix blog can provide a demonstration of the feature. This isn't some proprietary technology found only in the Netflix app, it is just an updated sound file set being added to its titles.
Apple's Spatial Audio feature will be able to take advantage of Netflix's new spatial audio files, however, if a more advanced audio file is available in the Netflix title, like Atmos, it will default to that instead.
To get the Netflix spatial audio feature, users must subscribe to the $20 per month premium plan. Over 700 titles have gained spatial audio files, with more coming soon.
As a seasoned audio technology enthusiast with extensive knowledge in spatial audio and immersive sound experiences, I've closely followed the advancements in this field. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of audio formats, surround sound technologies, and the intricacies of spatial audio implementation across various platforms.
The recent development from Netflix introducing spatial audio for its Premium subscribers is a noteworthy stride in enhancing the audio experience for users with devices featuring only two speakers, such as TVs, laptops, and headphones. This innovation, which is distinct from Apple's Spatial Audio, is designed to create an immersive cinematic sound experience by expanding the soundstage on stereo speaker setups.
Netflix's collaboration with Sennheiser to convert surround sound mixes into spatial audio files is a testament to the company's commitment to delivering high-quality audio to its users. This process involves providing different production instructions to the speakers, effectively spreading out the sound without relying on the output device or complex algorithms. This approach sets Netflix's spatial audio apart from Apple's, which actively processes incoming audio to create a 3D environment.
It's essential to clarify that Netflix's spatial audio is not a proprietary technology confined to the Netflix app; instead, it involves updated sound file sets incorporated into its titles. This distinction allows users to experience the feature even when viewing embedded YouTube videos in the Netflix blog, showcasing its accessibility beyond the platform.
Moreover, the collaboration with Sennheiser and the initial rollout of spatial audio for titles like Stranger Things in July 2022 underscore Netflix's dedication to staying at the forefront of audio innovation. The company's decision to make this feature available to Premium subscribers, who are on the $20 per month plan, reinforces its commitment to offering enhanced audio experiences to its discerning audience.
In summary, Netflix's spatial audio feature represents a significant step forward in audio technology, providing an immersive cinematic sound experience for users with stereo speaker setups. The collaboration with Sennheiser, the incorporation of updated sound file sets, and the deliberate choice not to confine the feature to proprietary technology demonstrate Netflix's commitment to delivering a premium audio experience to its subscribers.
