Does YouTube Support Dolby Atmos? (Try This Instead)

YouTube is among the leading platforms for sharing video content. But have you ever wondered if it supports Dolby Atmos? Find out whether YouTube supports Dolby Atmos in this comprehensive guide.

Dolby Atmos has revolutionized the way we experience sound. The surround sound technology offers a level of audio immersion that was once reserved for movie theaters. It is available on numerous streaming services, such as Disney+ and Apple TV+. But does YouTube support Dolby Atmos? In this article, we'll talk more about Dolby Atmos, including whether YouTube supports Dolby Atmos. Read on to find out.

Table Of Contents

What is Dolby Atmos?

Dolby Atmos is a surround sound tech that brings an immersive and captivating sound that you experience in movie theaters to your living room. It enables you to hear sounds in the movie in a way that feels natural and real as if you are truly part of the scene.

Does YouTube Support Dolby Atmos?

Unfortunately, YouTube does not support Dolby Atmos at the moment. The platform does, however, support 5.1 surround sound audio. So, does YouTube support 7.1 surround sound as well? Currently, the 5.1 surround sound is the only format supported by YouTube.

The 7.1 surround sound and other higher audio formats are not supported. YouTube recommends viewers to use the stereo (2.1 channels) or the stereo + 5.1 audio formats to watch content on the platform.

What is the Difference between Dolby Atmos and Surround Sound?

Dolby Atmos and surround sound are often used interchangeably. However, the two formats are actually different.

1. Surround Sound

Surround sound distributes audio across multiple speakers placed around the listeners. This allows the listeners to experience sound coming from different directions, thus making them feel like they are in the movie. Surround sound configurations are denoted by numbers such as 5.1 or 7.1, which indicates the number of speakers and subwoofers in the system. The 5.1 has five speakers and one subwoofer, while the 7.1 has seven speakers and one subwoofer.

2. Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos, on the other hand, is a more advanced version of surround sound. This high-quality audio format further enhances the audio experience by introducing overhead speakers, which are placed above the listeners. The number of speakers, subwoofers, and overhead speakers used often refers to Dolby Atmos systems. For instance, a 5.1.2 system consists of five speakers, one subwoofer, and two overhead speakers.

How to Watch YouTube in 5.1 Surround Sound

If you want to watch YouTube in 5.1 surround sound, you'll need a few things, including a compatible device and step-by-step instructions.

A Compatible Device

Make sure your device supports 5.1 surround sound, as 5.1 is only enabled on devices that are compatible with the feature. The YouTube video you want to play should also be encoded with 5.1 surround sound audio for this feature to work. Devices that support 5.1 surround sound on YouTube include all smart TVs, Rokus, Apple TVs, Chromecasts, and most Fire TVs released in 2021 or later.

However, some TVs released before 2021 may also support surround sound on YouTube, but it's important to verify your specific model compatibility with 5.1. 5.1 surround sound is also supported on various gaming consoles, including Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, PlayStation 5, and Xbox One.

Step-by-Step Process

Now that you know the devices that support 5.1 surround sound, follow these steps to watch YouTube in 5.1 surround sound:

Turn on your chosen device and connect it to a stable Wi-Fi.
Open the YouTube app.
Look for 5.1 surround sound-supported videos.
Start playing the video.
While the video is playing, tap on the gear icon to access settings.
Check whether the 5.1 surround sound option is turned on.
If the 5.1 surround sound is turned off, just click on it to enable surround sound.
Once it's turned on, you should be able to enjoy the YouTube videos in 5.1 surround sound.

Where Can I Watch Dolby Atmos Content

Although YouTube does not support Dolby Atmos right now, Dolby Atmos content is becoming increasingly available across various streaming services. Today, you can watch Dolby Atmos movies or TV series on:

Amazon Prime Video
Netflix
Apple TV+
Paramount+ (US)
Disney+
VUDU (US)
HBO Max (US)

Is Dolby Atmos Free?

Major streaming platforms offer Dolby Atmos content as part of their subscription packages. So, if you are already a subscriber and your device is Dolby Atmos enabled, you can access the content at no extra cost. Here are some titles from popular streaming services that offer Dolby Atmos content:

Amazon Prime Video: The Tomorrow War, Jack Ryan, Shotgun Wedding, Something from Tiffany's, and more.
Netflix: The Witcher, Birdbox, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Formula 1: The Drive to Survive, among others.
Apple TV+: For All Mankind, SEE, CODA, Foundation, Finch, Prehistoric Planet, Ted Lasso, and more.
Paramount+: The Lost City, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, A Quiet Place, and more.
Disney+: Toy Story, West Side Story, The Lion King, Soul, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and many more.
VUDU: La La Land, Joker, Aladdin, Hidden Dragon, 10 Cloverfield Land, and more.
HBO Max: The Last of Us, Elvis, Dune, The Batman, House of the Dragon, and The Many Saints of Newark, among others.

Dolby Atmos for headphones is not free. Although they offer a seven-day free trial, after the trial period ends, you are required to pay a $14.99 fee for the license. It’s a one-time fee.

How to Tell If a Video Content is Dolby Atmos

A Dolby Atmos movie or TV show makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the action. From raindrops falling from above and the low buzzing sound of a bee to a helicopter flying overhead and a loud explosion, you can hear all these sounds as you would in real life.

Where to Listen to Dolby Atmos Music?

Dolby Atmos takes your music experience to a whole new level. Instruments and vocals are precisely positioned, creating a sense of being in the midst of the performance. If you’re thinking of listening to Dolby Atmos music, here are some of the best platforms you should check out:

Tidal: It's one of the leading music streaming services offering an extensive library of songs in Dolby Atmos format. Tidal refers to music that supports Dolby Atmos as Dolby Atmos Music.
Amazon Music HD: This is another platform where you can listen to Dolby Atmos music. The platform refers to Dolby Atmos music as HD.
Apple Music: Apple Music has also embraced Dolby Atmos Music. The streaming service refers to Dolby Atmos music as Spatial Audio.

Dolby Atmos Music Apps

When you want to enjoy Dolby Atmos music on your smartphone, here are some music apps you can download and use:

Tidal
Amazon HD
Apple Music

Final Words

YouTube does not support Dolby Atmos. However, you can still enjoy excellent sound quality as the platform does support streaming in 5.1 surround sound. To watch YouTube in 5.1 surround sound, follow the step-by-step process we've outlined in this article, and you won't regret it. If you have a compatible device and want to watch Dolby Atmos content, you can check out the major streaming platforms we've mentioned above.