Introduction

Samsung and Google are gearing up to launch a groundbreaking audio standard known as Eclipsa Audio, which promises to challenge the supremacy of Dolby Atmos in the realm of spatial audio. This innovative format is set to debut on select YouTube videos later this year and will be compatible with Samsung’s full lineup of TVs and soundbars for 2025.

Background on Samsung's Audio Strategy

Historically, Samsung has shied away from integrating Dolby Vision HDR, opting instead for its proprietary HDR10 Plus system. In a similar vein, the tech giant is now assertively advancing its own open-source 3D audio initiative, Eclipsa Audio, in a bid to reshape market dynamics.

Eclipsa Audio Features

Eclipsa Audio aims to be a cost-effective alternative to Dolby Atmos, the current leader in 3D audio formats that consumer electronics manufacturers must license to include in their devices. With Eclipsa, Samsung is touting features that allow for the manipulation of sound location and intensity, as well as spatial reflections, creating an immersive 3D auditory environment.

The Development of Eclipsa Audio

The collaborative effort between Samsung and Google to develop spatial audio technology was first announced in 2023. Initially dubbed the Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF), the project aims to establish a comprehensive, open-source framework for 3D audio that covers everything from creation to delivery and playback.

Industry Support and Challenges

The IAMF specifications have garnered support from the Alliance for Open Media, a consortium advocating for royalty-free multimedia codecs since 2015. This group includes heavyweight players like Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Netflix, alongside Samsung and Google. If these major players align with Eclipsa Audio, its adoption could see a significant boost, although previous projects like the AV1 video codec have faced challenges in gaining widespread traction.

Quality Assurance and Standards

In a bid to ensure that Eclipsa Audio delivers consistent quality across devices, Samsung and Google are developing a certification program in collaboration with the Telecommunications Technology Association. This initiative aims to standardize audio quality, drawing comparisons to how brands like Dolby and THX maintain their quality assurances.

Anticipation for CES 2025

With CES 2025 just around the corner, anticipation is building for more announcements and insights into Eclipsa Audio from Samsung and Google. Will this innovative format redefine the audio experiences we have come to expect? Only time will tell! Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on this exciting development!