Netflix has partnered with Sennheiser to bring spatial audio to its subscribers. The Ambeo 2-Channel renderer translates original immersive mixes into 2-channel audio with a spatial experience that goes way beyond stereo.
During development, Sennheiser worked with Netflix and other industry partners to fine-tune the system, which is now available to license from Sennheiser. Netflix is the first streaming platform to deliver this experience for select titles.
On select titles, like Season 4 of Stranger Things, Netflix has made Ambeo 2-Channel Spatial Audio the default stream for any two-channel usage. Netflix viewers watching on a stereo system will automatically receive an improved and enhanced spatial experience, with no user changes required.
Dr Renato Pellegrini of Sennheiser’s Ambeo team; “Creators all over the globe have been using our tools to create outstanding immersive works, pushing the boundaries of music and film production. With Ambeo 2-Channel Spatial Audio, we are now taking the next step – making this new audio reality accessible to everyone.”
The rendering software runs in the streaming service’s cloud-based encoding pipelines and produces Ambeo 2-Channel Spatial Audio from existing ADM or IAB files, both industry-standard, open formats. It does not require another separate mix. A preview tool enables the re-recording mixer to compare stereo to Ambeo during postproduction and adjust the rendering settings by stems/groups. The renderer offers patented granular control of the spatialisation, ranging from full Ambeo effect to standard stereo mixdown, while specific channels can be excluded from modification. For example, dialog can be preserved 100%, or modified slightly to match neighboring immersive scenes.
