Discovering Ten Must-Own Dolby Atmos Discs Using Trinnov's Altitude 16 Processor Atmos Object Viewer!

Manufacturer & Model

Trinnov Altitude 16

MSRP

$18,500+

Link

https://www.trinnov.com

Highlights

Ten films and/or discs with reference Dolby Atmos demo scenes are discovered

Summary

In part one of our Trinnov Altitude 16 review, we use the platform's Dolby Atmos Object Viewer to find 10 incredible Dolby Atmos movies.

Today marks part one of a Trinnov Altitude 16 processor review. Part two is a more formal look at the user experience with the processor, while this one is all about the fun—specifically, Dolby Atmos immersive audio.

The Altitude 16 isn't a new piece of gear, but thanks to powerful software upgrades and modularity, it's managed to remain one of the world's most elite home theater processors. It's high-end across the board, both inside and out, and has features entirely unique to Trinnov's processor platform. One is the company's proprietary room correction software, which delivers the goods when it comes to sound quality and performance. Another is a Dolby Atmos Object Viewer.

The Object Viewer is very much akin to a codec x-ray machine – or, even better, a functional MRI, allowing owners to see precisely where Atmos audio objects are coded to exist and move within a given home theater room. And to up the ante, it does so in real time while a movie is being viewed. The Viewer itself is accessed in the Altitude 16's web UI and has quite a bit of flexibility in terms of how a room is viewed (both size and angle).

In full disclosure, I initially reached out to Trinnov with a review sample request specifically because of the Atmos Object Viewer. Curiosity got the better of me, and I wanted to craft a list of ten titles or discs with dynamic metadata dictating Atmos audio objects' placement and movement.

But wait, don't all Atmos movies have this?

The truth is, no. Many titles carrying an Atmos designation were created with Atmos tools but only assign audio to fixed/stationary objects. This type of Atmos encode is called a "pre-print." Hence, my interest in taking a closer look at things to find reference demo scenes loaded with metadata that a processor or receiver will use to place and move audio objects around a room.

Do you have a favorite Atmos title? Let us know in the discussion below!

TO WATCH THE VIDEO, CLICK HERE: https://tinyurl.com/2p9ddew3





The following are links to most of the discs discussed in this video:

• NEW Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark (2023) calibration disc: https://bit.ly/42ZvJVP
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens 4K UHD Disc: https://amzn.to/3OPI8YQ
• A Quiet Place 4K UHD Disc: https://amzn.to/3C8jJWW
• Unbroken Blu-ray Disc: https://amzn.to/43fxEGh
• Free Guy 4K UHD Disc: https://amzn.to/3WM51Ow
• The Wave Blu-ray: https://amzn.to/3WLqw25
• John Wick 4K UHD Disc: https://amzn.to/3WRjLvJ
• Amublance 4K UHD Disc: https://amzn.to/3N6Sli8
• John Wick Chapter 2 4K UHD Disc: https://amzn.to/3WRjLvJ
• Gravity Diamonde Luxe Blu-ray: https://amzn.to/45K8l0L
• Devotion 4K UHD Disc*: https://amzn.to/3N4H4iu

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[JStewart]

Eye opening video. Thank you.

In the full review, will you speak to multiple sub handling? With or without Trinnov’s new WaveForming feature?
Be curious to know how it works without waveforming and what it takes to use waveforming.

And will also appreciate your thoughts on the room correction and any comparisons you can draw. That could probably be a video in and of itself.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Eye opening video. Thank you.

In the full review, will you speak to multiple sub handling? With or without Trinnov’s new WaveForming feature?
Be curious to know how it works without waveforming and what it takes to use waveforming.

And will also appreciate your thoughts on the room correction and any comparisons you can draw. That could probably be a video in and of itself.

Well… you’re ask’n a lot there… ;-)

 

[JStewart]

Well… you’re ask’n a lot there… ;-)

Yes, but that’s because I hold you in high regard and trust your ability to draw fair and honest conclusions.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Yes, but that’s because I hold you in high regard and trust your ability to draw fair and honest conclusions.

Now that's saying a lot too!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I can't believe I have none of these in my collection.

Are you going to list them here in your opening thread post too?

 

[Todd Anderson]

I can't believe I have none of these in my collection.

Are you going to list them here in your opening thread post too?

I can - got this posted last minute before taking my youngest on a trip down to Nashville. I’ll circle back and flesh out the post.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Now that's saying a lot too!

And…. The truth comes out ;-)

 

[MusicManLen]

Thank you for providing a great list of demo worthy Blu-rays. I currently have Unbroken & Ambulance Blu-rays with Dolby Atmos Audio and they are awesome sounding.
My processor also gives me access to Auro 3D Surround Audio and when I do a comparison using Ambulance & Unbroken Dolby Atmos with Auro 3D I actually prefer the Auro 3D over Dolby Atmos in my theater. If anyone has access to Auro 3D with their system I would suggest trying it out to see how it sounds in your theater room.

You are right about the Devotion 4K Blu-ray not being available in Dolby Atmos presently but hopefully there will be a future steelbook release with it. If not I will get it and play it back using Auro 3D Surround. It sure looks like a great movie to add to my collection.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Agree with you 100% on Auro3D. It’s my go to upmixer, tho I tend to run Atmos and. DTS:X in their native forms.

Why Devotion’s mix was left in a legacy format on the 4K is a total mystery. Hopefully it will land in Atmos in Europe… it really is excellent and it’s obvious they put a lot of attention into its design.

 

[MusicManLen]

Although my processor allows me to select Auro 3D as an option when it sees Dolby Atmos or other Dolby surround modes when it sees DTS:X on a Blu-ray it limits my choices to other DTS options and Auro 3D is not included in those options. The only work around I have found is if I select PCM in my Blu-ray player instead of bitstream the processor will not select DTS:X but will allow other DTS options along with Auro 3D. But that is a hassle and not worth doing.

Perhaps if you have contact with Marantz you can suggest a firmware update allowing their processor to include Auro 3D as an option when it sees DTS:X.

Thanks

 

[Todd Anderson]

Likely due to Dolby. They are notoriously stringent when it comes to protecting their ground.

 

[MusicManLen]

This time it's not Dolby being restrictive. The limitation only happens when DTS:X is in the mix. When Dolby Atmos or DTS Master HD is on the disc all surround modes are available. I am including screen shots of available surround modes when DTS:X is present and the surround modes available when Dolby Atmos or DTS Master HD is present.

Thank you

 

[Todd Anderson]

This time it's not Dolby being restrictive. The limitation only happens when DTS:X is in the mix. When Dolby Atmos or DTS Master HD is on the disc all surround modes are available. I am including screen shots of available surround modes when DTS:X is present and the surround modes available when Dolby Atmos or DTS Master HD is present.

Thank you

It's a shame these companies are more liberal when it comes to end-user control. Thanks for sharing!

 

[MusicManLen]

I wonder if this DTS:X restriction is only on Marantz processors. Perhaps if you still have access to the Trinnov processor you can play a DTS:X disc and see what other surround options are available on the Trinnov. It would be nice to know what you find out.

Thank you

 

[Todd Anderson]

It might be… I’m away from my desk, so to speak, I’ll check on my Storm processor when I get back

 

[Peter Christian]

Is there any way to see what is being played on speakers with AURO-3D?

 

[MusicManLen]

If you mean which speakers are active when selecting AURO-3D in your processor/receiver then yes you can.
On a Marantz you can look at the units display screen in the lower right hand corner and it will show the active speakers in play.
You can also select the info button on Marantz remote and it will display active speakers info on your video screen.
I'm sure there are similar options on other brands as well. I am currently using Marantz.

 

[DTA HT]

Great video it’s down to the trinnov 16 or the stormaudio 16 would love to have you compare the 2 top pre pros

 

[Todd Anderson]

Hey there DTA HT, would be happy to answer any questions you might have!

 

[MusicManLen]

Todd just wondering if you have had a chance to check your Storm Processor regarding DTS:X and Auro 3D options?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Todd just wondering if you have had a chance to check your Storm Processor regarding DTS:X and Auro 3D options?

I did and then completely forgot to reply!

So, the answer is 'yes,' when a DTS:X film is playing, the Storm processor allows you to upmix to Dolby Surround and Auro. So, you're likely looking at an arrangement that's held exclusive to Marantz/Denon gear. Who knows what the licensing agreement says, but that's gotta be the restriction. I can't imagine a scenario where your AVR is limited by processing overhead.

 

[MusicManLen]

Thank you for finding that out for me. I am thinking of upgrading to the Marantz AV10 Processor so perhaps the restriction will be removed on the AV10.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I can find out for you... but I think the restrictions are likely brand-wide

 

[MusicManLen]

Perhaps you can find out if a firmware update is in the works to remove the Marantz restriction between DTS:X and Auro 3D?

I will let you know if the restriction applies to the AV10 when I get it in my theater room.

Thank you for all your help.