Introduction

Samsung and Google are gearing up to introduce a groundbreaking audio format known as Eclipsa Audio, aiming to revolutionize the 3D audio landscape and challenge the dominance of Dolby Atmos. This innovative format is set to launch later this year and will provide immersive audio experiences on select YouTube videos, with full support integrated into Samsung's 2025 lineup of televisions and soundbars.

Samsung's Strategic Move

Historically, Samsung has opted not to support Dolby Vision HDR, preferring its own HDR10 Plus. With Eclipsa Audio, Samsung appears poised to make a similar strategic move in the realm of spatial audio, advocating for an open-source audio standard.

Features of Eclipsa Audio

Eclipsa Audio promises to deliver a free alternative to the widely used Dolby Atmos, which often comes with licensing fees for hardware manufacturers like Samsung. According to Samsung, the new format will allow users to adjust critical audio elements such as sound location, intensity, and spatial reflections, ensuring a truly immersive 3D listening experience.

Collaboration and Development

The collaboration between Samsung and Google to develop this spatial audio technology initially kicked off in 2023 under the name Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF). Samsung's spatial audio head, WooHyun Nam, stated that the initiative aims to establish a comprehensive open-source framework for 3D audio, covering everything from production to playback.

Industry Support

The IAMF specification has garnered support from the Alliance for Open Media, an organization founded in 2015 that champions royalty-free codec support. This alliance includes industry giants such as Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Netflix, alongside Samsung and Google. Should these companies adopt Eclipsa Audio, it stands to gain traction; however, it is worth noting that progress in promoting their AV1 video codec has been slow.

Certification Program

To ensure high-quality audio experiences across devices that adopt this new format, Samsung and Google are developing a certification program in collaboration with the Telecommunications Technology Association. This program seeks to maintain consistent audio quality, similar to the models established by Dolby and THX for their respective technologies.

Conclusion

As excitement builds, more details about Eclipsa Audio are expected to emerge with CES 2025 just around the corner. Will this new standard redefine the way we experience audio? Stay tuned!