What exactly is the spatial audio system?

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PurpleMoustache

Newbie Joined: Aug 16, 2018 19:29 Messages: 2 Offline

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Apr 26, 2019 14:51

The description on the store page is vague, and a review claims you "need a surround sound system or VR headset to use it", which also doesn't explain much.

Let me explain what I'm coming from: I tend to use headphones for most things, and I have purchased the $15 license for Dolby Atmos for Headphones. When turned on (and forcing PowerDVD 18 Ultra (which is what I currently have) to 8 speaker output), Dolby Atmos kicks in and provides a virtualized surround sound mix for headphones, which works quite well.

Alternatively, there is Virtual Desktop, the VR desktop application that has it's OWN virtual surround, which seems to be closer to what this new feature is advertizing: it places "speakers" in virtual "space" that move with your head.

My question is this: what is it most like? The Dolby Atmos solution where you hit go, and it's surround sound, or is it tied to having to do head tracking/proper surround speakers? Does it work in conjunction with the Dolby Atmos for Headphones?

Any details on this would be great.

QC2.0

Senior Contributor Joined: Apr 27, 2016 04:02 Messages: 610 Offline

Apr 28, 2019 21:15

Spatial audio is a unique thing for 360 videos, and it depends on whther the 360 video is encoded with the "spatial audio recording" by the content provider.

A normal non-360 video won't have spatial audio.
If it has, it will be useless as you cannot change the view angle when you are watching a non-360 video.

The spatial audio will be pretty obvious when you use a "stereo" headphone to listen.
Surround sound speakers might enhance the spatial effect more or less, but it might not be "required".

It is not Dolby or DTS "surround sound" you mentioned.
Dolby ATMOS is not supported by powerdvd. It is not a news.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at Apr 28. 2019 21:21