Netflix announced that the 3D audio function will only be available to users of the more expensive premium subscription. 3D audio simulates spatial sound on any device with stereo speakers or headphones. This works with selected devices, such as cell phones or directly on the television.
Netflix introduced the function last summer, at that time without subscription restrictions. In the future, only members of the premium subscription level will be able to hear 3D audio. According to Netflix, 3D audio works with over 700 movies and series on the streaming service, including Stranger Things, The Watcher, Wednesday and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Upcoming Netflix content such as You, Your Place or Mine, Luther: The Fallen Sun and Tour de France will also feature 3D audio. Users with a premium subscription do not have to activate the technology separately: as long as no surround setup is activated, 3D audio is automatically played for compatible content.
Netflix releases demo video
The 3D audio feature, which Netflix has sometimes referred to as spatial audio, emulates spatial sound on stereo speakers. 3D audio is independent of true surround sound technologies. So if you own a surround system, you usually don’t benefit from 3D audio. Netflix writes that content that plays 3D audio will be given a new logo in the future. To see all compatible content, you can enter “3D audio” in the Netflix search. The premium subscription from Netflix costs 18 euros per month.
Netflix wants to show off the benefits of 3D audio with a new YouTube video showing scenes from “6 Underground” and the fourth season of “Stranger Things”. Airplanes flying by and voices in the area should be displayed more directionally than in the traditional stereo version. Netflix developed 3D audio together with sound specialist Sennheiser.
Netflix is currently making preparations to curb widespread account sharing. Apparently, a login requirement is to be implemented: Devices that do not regularly log into the home network may be blocked by Netflix in the future.
(dahe)
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