Amazon Prime Video Set to Launch Dolby Atmos Audio Next Month

Amazon Prime Video Set to Launch Dolby Atmos Audio Next Month​

(Amazon, Dolby)(July 24, 2018) What once was an audio trickle is quickly becoming a full-on immersive flood, as Amazon has announced that its joining the likes of Netflix, Vudu, and iTunes on Apple TV 4K by offering Dolby Atmos audio as part of its Prime Video service.

According to Dolby, the first Amazon Prime Video release to include Dolby Atmos is Amazon’s own Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, a spy-thriller spotlighting one of Tom Clancy’s classic characters. Prime Members should expect the show to drop on August 31st.

Both Fire TV and Fire TV Cube boxes are fully capable of outputting Dolby Atmos audio; other third-party gear that carries Amazon’s video app is yet to be confirmed as compatible. Of course, anyone interested in experiencing Dolby Atmos immersive audio will need a corresponding receiver or processor and a proper Atmos-capable speaker system.

While this announcement pulls home theater fans ever closer to a disc-less world, it’s worthy to note that the quality of streamed Dolby Atmos is different from that found on Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray discs. Disc-based Atmos is lossless in its implementation, while a streaming version is based on compressed Dolby Digital Plus. Of course, how this ultimately effects an end user is purely predicated on the quality of an audio system. Those users relying on a soundbar or Home Theater in a Box (HTIB) system are far less likely to realize any differences, as opposed to users with full-range high quality theater systems.

Nevertheless, Amazon’s leap to Atmos support is good thing, even if overall fidelity of the end product still falls short of a true disc-based experience.

 

[tripplej]

I agree, the more the better that joins in the atmos fun.

 

[JBrax]

This is great news!

 

[GFOviedo]

So, if I use Amazon Video app vía PS4 Pro i should be able to get Atmos?

 

[GFOviedo]

I just googled it. When watching a movie, press the option button on the PS4 controller, settings, audio format, bitstream direct, and it will play the correct format. I’m assuming this will be the same when streaming from a video app?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Not necessarily. Amazon could only allow Atmos to be available through its proprietary devices. We'll have to wait and see as more info becomes available next month.

Gut tells me you'll likely need a Fire product initially – but hopefully we'll all be surprised!

 

[Sonnie]

I think I might be more excited about Jack Ryan than the Atmos, although Atmos will certainly be nice.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I’m on board with you, Sonnie.

I’ll be over the moon when the story changes to: streaming full uncompressed Atmos with true 4k HDR.

This is a good start... now, let’s get to the meat and potatoes!