3D Sound Systems

     A new age of surround sound is dawning, and with it brings a whole new level of audience immersion. The film industry has already a big boost from the new digital projectors and 3D technology. But when it comes to sound, it has relied on the same surround sound systems in use buy movie theaters.
Enter Dolby’s new surround sound system, named Atmos, and it’s already changing the way moviegoers have experienced their favorite films. The Atmos system is designed to balance the sound and adjust on the fly in accordance to the number of speakers in the room (which can impressively handle up to 64 speakers).

     Dolby’s new setup includes speakers that place the audience in a literal box of sound. This means that the speakers are placed in front, behind, on the sides, and above the seats in the theater. What this achieves is a new way for film producers to capture sound and help bring in the audience into the film's world. Imagine sitting down and hearing the buzz of a helicopter fly as it fly’s over you from behind and into the screen, or the creaks and cracks of loose floor boards as a killer stalks his victim that is hiding under a house. The possibilities are endless with this new technology.

    But with such a great system, comes the price tag, and the Atmos upgrade isn't cheap. Each Atmos system is can cost anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000 to install, no small number for some theaters that have just gone to digital projection. However, Dolby hopes to have up to 1000 locations by this year to have their new Atmos sound system in place. I feel that many theaters would also hope to have this system soon too, as many of Hollywood’s newest films are being mixed to incorporate Dolby’s newest technology. I personally cannot wait to hear Atmos in a summer blockbuster.