Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology that offers a cinematic experience for movies, TV, music, and gaming. However, users on Youtube are unable to use Dolby Atmos due to format issues. Youtube is designed for stereo output. This means any video that is uploaded to YouTube is set to 2.0 stereo for playback.
Youtube does not support Dolby Atmos. However, Youtube TV supports 5.1 Dolby surround sound audio and also launching a 4K- Ultra HD plus add-on package. YouTube has also added 5.1 Dolby surround sound to select streaming devices.
In fact, Youtube does not support 5.1 surround sound or any surround sound in general. Check out our article on does Youtube support 5.1 surround to learn more.
Read on to learn more.
What is Dolby Atmos?
If you are hearing this term for the first time, this guide will help you demystify everything. As a simple explanation, Dolby Atmos is the proprietary audio format created to provide the same immersive 360° sound that you experience in a movie theater to your mobile device or living room.
When using Atmos, content creators such as broadcasters, sound mixers, and cinematographers can effectively use specific sounds precisely in the soundscape to help you hear the action as it should be.
The Dolby Atmos technology fools the human mind to think and feel like they are in the middle of the scene. This technology can reproduce the sound of something and make it appear like a bomb or big explosion or turn it into a small sound of a bee.
Before we go further, please note that this is different from having Chrome supporting 5.1 surround sound.
Does Youtube Music Support Dolby Atmos?
The entry of Dolby Atmos music is pushing many audiophiles to consider wireless speakers for easy connection and high-quality sound production. For the last two years or so, the features to enjoy Youtube music through Dolby Atmos were there but only lasted for a short time and then disappeared.
Youtube is yet to bring the most coveted Youtube music to support Dolby Atmos. Currently, Youtube Music is set to utilize stereo 2.0 only. Even if you have a multichannel or Atmos when getting uploaded, it’s encoded by Youtube when stored in their servers, and the re-encoding software can only provide stereo.
For Dolby Atmos to function on Youtube, they have to support 5.1, but it’s set to stereo mode.
There are rumors that it’s possible to stream using 5.1 on Youtube, but not clear how to do it. Youtube has been silent on this issue; however, there’s hope for audiophiles after Youtube promised to roll out Dolby Atmos for Youtube TV.
During the 4K Plus add-on announcement, Youtube confirmed that they were soon starting to avail of 5.1 Dolby audio capabilities. It will be available to all members whether on a paid plan or not.
Also, the point to note will not roll the 5.1 Dolby audio to all content as it’s available only when you are watching an on-demand video. We can only wait to see how this puns out in the coming days.
The only platforms using Dolby Atmos to stream are iTunes, Netflix, Amazon Prime videos, Hulu, and Vudu.
Does Youtube Have Dolby Atmos Videos?
For now, Youtube videos are yet to stream using Dolby Atmos technology. But it seems the Dolby Atmos is very close after launching Youtube TV that allows users to stream their favorite shows using 4K.
The package is a paid plan costing almost $20 per month, an additional top-up of their standard plan is $65 per month.
They are adding 5.1 Dolby surround sound to their streaming devices, and the feature will only be available on selected streaming devices.
Youtube TV Dolby Atmos
It’s just recently Youtube responded to their users by rolling out 5.1 Dolby surround sound support on Youtube TV.
The release provides users with a rich listening experience and improves their visual experience through 4K additional support. The introduction of youtube tv Dolby Atmos only applies to on-demand content, plus it’s not clear if Youtube will be changing that soon.
Does Youtube Support Dolby Vision?
Youtube is yet to support Dolby vision metadata. The only format that Youtube supports is HDR10 or HLG. High Dynamic Range is responsible for handling brightness information of a dynamic range compared to SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) signals used for regular broadcasts.
It helps to reproduce shades in the bright areas with blown-out highlights plus tones in dark places that tend to lose. It’s responsible for image reproduction that is depth and with three-dimensional effects that make viewers feel as if they are seeing
Hybrid Log-Gamma is a hybrid format responsible for enabling HDR images output similar to HDR10 plus Dolby Vision format. HLC can as well express pictures with a well-balanced brightness on SDR and TV’s.
Many changes may come on Youtube, and probably Dolby vision is one of them. For now, you can only wait to see when this realization will launch.
Where to Listen to Dolby Atmos Music?
Dolby Atmos’ music experience is something you cannot compare with any other form of quality music.
Unless for regular music users who rarely tell the difference in the quality of music. Today, various platforms bring onboard the Dolby Atmos experience to give their users the top best and high-quality music.
These are the platforms you can enjoy listening to Dolby Atmos Music.
- Tidal
- Apple Music
- Amazon HD
All three platforms have labeled DA music differently. For instance, HD is 3D Audio Tracks on Amazon, while Apple music calls it Spacial Audio, and Tidal calls it Dolby Atmos music.
They’ve used different names, but technology is similar to each other. This is a breakthrough not only for produced music but artists as well.
Dolby Atmos Music Apps
Now, if you are an audiophile and plan to enjoy music on your smartphone, here are the apps you can use.
- Tidal (Android)
- Apple Music (iPhone)
- Amazon Music (3D Audio)
You can access Tidal through their premium package that costs £ 19, 99 per month for tidal. While on the other hand, apple music is the normal standard £ 9.99 per month.
Dolby Atmos Youtube Apple TV
Youtube only supports stereo output on Apple TV 4K. However, you’ll find many videos claim that you can access Dolby Atmos Youtube through Apple TV, which is impractical because Youtube is yet to support it. If you have an Apple tv and try to stream Youtube, here is what Youtube supports.
- 4K > Positive
- 8K > Positive
- 16K > Negative
- HDR10 > Positive
- Dolby Vision > Negative
- 60fps > Positive
- 120fps > Negative
- 1 Surround > Negative
So, if you’ve been trying to stream using your Apple TV, you can only get HiFi stereo or mono and nothing like Dolby Atmos.
Youtube uses the video format of VP9, and Apple TV does not support that. So, this is something to watch and see whether Apple will consider in the coming future.
Does Youtube Support Surround Sound?
Luckily, YouTube TV is finally rolling out 5.1 Dolby surround sound audio support, which is an overdue many users’ prevalent requests. YouTube is launching a premium “4K Plus” service tier as well. New YouTube TV customers can get 4K Plus for $9.99/month for 12 months in an introductory promo offer.
Which Streaming Services Support Dolby Atmos?
As of August 2021, the following streaming services support Dobly Atmos. Please note that the list might not be exhaustive.
- Netflix – Supports 4K, HDR, and Atmos on its $18-per-month Premium plans
- Amazon Prime – Supports 4K, HDR, and Atmos
- Hulu – Supports 4K for on-demand video
- YouTube – Supports 4K and HDR video.
- Disney+ – Supports 4K, HDR, and Atmos.
Is Dolby Atmos Free?
Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology from Dolby Laboratories and is free of charge as long as you purchase a device that is Dolby Atmos-enabled. However, Dolby Atmos for Headphones costs around $15, equivalent to £13.89.
There is, however, a free 30-day trial, nonetheless, so you can see whether it’s worth paying for or not.
How Do I Get 5.1 Audio on YouTube?
YouTube currently supports stereo audio, but not multi-channel surround sound. Therefore, to get 5.1 audio on YouTube, you need to stream it from a device that supports surround sound like a Dolby Atmos AV receiver. Check out our article on the best budget Dolby Atmos receivers to learn more.
Currently, YouTube does not support Atmos audio at all and has no plans of supporting the format in their website anytime soon.
Things will probably change as Dolby gets more popular with its Atmos technology but for now, we’re stuck without any way of getting Atmos on our videos just yet!
What is Secondary Audio on YouTube TV?
SAP is a technical term for audio programming in the second audio channel. It’s kind of like having an extra audio option for TV shows.
This option replaces the program’s original language with other languages.
It’s a terrific way to learn languages. It may be useful for people who want to watch TV shows in their native tongue from different countries.
Which is Better: YouTube TV or Hulu?
Choosing between YouTube TV and Hulu can be an extremely difficult task. Both are very good services, and both have their share of pros and cons.
The most significant distinction is the number of channels.
When comparing the total channel counts from our large list of the top 100 channels on each platform, YouTube TV wins with 78 entries, compared to 73 on Hulu.
How Can You Tell if a Song is Dolby Atmos?
Dolby Atmos is a codec that works very differently than traditional surround sound.
When you are listening to music it will feel as if the music is all around you instead of just coming out of your speakers.
Conclusion
A platform like Youtube should make it easier for users to stream Dolby Atmos videos easily on any device. However, the introduction of Dolby Atmos on 4K tv seems like a beginning of a bright future. Let’s see whether Youtube will bring join its competitors while at the same time responding to their user’s needs.