Netflix: “Studio Quality Sound”
Netflix says its new high-quality audio is equivalent to that of a studio master. We disagree.
Netflix has launched a “high-quality audio” feature that promises studio-quality sound for 5.1-channel and Dolby Atmos soundtracks. Netflix is now streaming audio at much higher bit rates in order to deliver sound that is indistinguishable from the original master, according to the company. When bandwidth is limited, the audio quality is automatically downgraded to prevent playback interruptions.
According to Netflix, its “high-quality sound feature is not lossless, but it is perceptually transparent.” We at Haas Entertainment disagree saying compressed audio doesn’t sound anywhere near as full and vibrant as other options, provided you have high quality equipment, the kind of equipment we install on a daily basis.
Netflix says: “…you won’t notice the difference between what your surround sound system delivers and the studio version.” Through internal tests, Netflix determined that, for Dolby Digital Plus, 640 kbps is the point at which additional quality is imperceivable, and for Dolby Atmos, Netflix says the threshold is 768 kbps. Theoretically, bitrates higher than that would only slow devices. Again we at Haas Entertainment say “Not True!”. We have a DTS-X Master Audio capable system that runs a bit-rate of 24.5 Mbit/s. The difference is dramatic.
Listen for yourself! Visit the Haas Entertainment screening room in Culver City and hear the difference. Contact us to set up an appointment.
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