Samsung and Google are Trying to Squeeze Dolby Atmos Out of The Market
Samsung and Google have joined forces to enter the 3D sound market, which has been effectively controlled by Dolby Atmos technology until now.
Their joint project, dubbed Eclipsa Audio, is a new open standard for spatial sound.
According to the companies, it will enable realistic multidimensional sound to be streamed on YouTube and Samsung’s latest TVs and soundbars by the end of the year.
What Eclipsa Audio is And Why It Matters
Dolby Atmos has long been the gold standard for 3D audio, allowing sound to be channeled so that it seems to surround the listener. However, TV and audio equipment manufacturers pay what is known as a “tax” to Dolby Dolby for the license to use Atmos.
- Eclipsa Audio is an open-source alternative.
- Instead of expensive licenses, manufacturers can use the technology freely.
- According to Samsung, Eclipsa Audio provides a similar level of spatial sound to Atmos using similar principles of audio distribution (location, intensity, reflections, etc.).
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Joint Certification
In addition to releasing the standard, Samsung and Google are creating a certification program in collaboration with the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA).
This certification should guarantee sound quality across devices and simplify implementation for manufacturers using Eclipsa Audio.
In 2023, the companies mentioned the IAMF (Immersive Audio Model and Formats) project, which aims to form a fully open framework for creating and playing 3D audio.
- Samsung aims to give up Atmos licensing for its TVs and speakers. The market is becoming increasingly competitive, and cutting costs is one key way to maintain profitability.
- Google’s motive: Apparently, the company wants to give YouTube creators a platform to experiment with 3D sound. Expanding its range of proprietary media solutions will strengthen Google’s position in the streaming content market.
“We believe that Eclipsa Audio has the potential to change the way we experience sound,” said Jim Bankosky, vice president of engineering for Google Chrome.
He also hoped that the content creation community would apply the new standard to realize creative ideas in immersive audio.
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Chances vs. Dolby
Of course, Dolby Atmos has been the leader for a long time and has become a consumer household name. Given Dolby’s long-standing reputation, it won’t be easy to convince users and manufacturers to switch to Eclipsa Audio.
However, the new technology has a serious trump card – the absence of license fees and the support of two IT giants at once.
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What to Expect Shortly
The first chance to compare Eclipsa Audio and Dolby Atmos will be at CES 2025 when Samsung will demonstrate its system live.
That’s where we’ll see if Samsung and Google’s joint initiative can displace Dolby in the 3D sound market or if Atmos will continue to dominate.
