On November 10, Microsoft will release both theXbox Series Xand theXbox Series Snext-generation consoles. These consoles will break ground in new and exciting ways, ways that haven’t been managed by previous consoles. Yet surprisingly, one notable new feature hasn’t been widely discussed. TheXbox Series Xand the Xbox Series S will be the first consoles to feature Dolby Vision and Double Atmos technology, visual and audio technologies that could enhance gaming in exciting ways.
Understanding what Dolby Vision depends on users understanding whatHigh Dynamic Rangetechnology is. HDR is a video format that TVs can utilize that’s significantly less restricted compared to older video signals in terms of brightness and color. In other words, HDR makes images pop by using more colors and by making colors stand out more, darks darker, and the contrast between the two more striking. Dolby Vision is a branded version of HDR that guarantees a standard of quality that normal HDR branding may not guarantee.
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Dolby Atmos is a similar proprietary branded technology, only it’s forsurround sound audio. It can be used in movie theaters, where theater-goers will likely notice a more immersive and enveloping audio experience. The technology allows film or television creators to a specific point for audio to come from regardless of speaker location that Dolby Atmos will simulate, whereas traditional surround sound will focus just on the speaker that most makes sense for producing the audio.
One big difference betweenDolby Visionand Dolby Atmos, however, is that Dolby Vision requires televisions or monitors that have been specifically branded for Dolby Vision. Televisions without this branding may still have HDR, but Dolby Vision is something different. Dolby Atmos, however, can work with any speaker or headset configuration. It’ll work better with specific setups that more closely follow Dolby Atmos guidelines, but that isn’t required.
What’s key about Microsoft offering both Dolby Vision andDolby Atmosisn’t that everyone will necessarily have access to them or will make use of them. It’s that the technology is available to gamers who do have setups that support those technologies. Gamers who set up their home theaters for high-end film and television experience will now be able to add gaming to that.
There’s no guarantee that the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S will be the only consoles to feature this technology, of course. Sony may or may not announce it for the PS5 down the line. Sony’s previously discussed its own priorities regardingPS5 3D audio, however. Regardless, it’s a great addition to an already great line-up of next-gen consoles.
TheXbox Series XandXbox Series Slaunch on November 10.
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