Home » Ai Basics Digest » What Audio Does Netflix Stream?

What Audio Does Netflix Stream?

Chloe Bennett • • 7 min read
What Audio Does Netflix Stream?
Netflix supports streaming with improved audio quality to give you a cinematic experience at home. You can stream high-quality audio on most titles available with 5.1 surround sound or Dolby Atmos.

.

Also, how do I get 5.1 audio on Netflix?

5.1 surround sound is not currently supported while streaming on a computer using Microsoft Silverlight or HTML5. However, it is supported in the Netflix app for Windows 8 and Windows 10. To check if your device supports 5.1 audio, go to any Netflix original to see if there is a 5.1 audio option.

Similarly, does Netflix have lossless audio? According to Netflix, its "high-quality sound feature is not lossless, but it is perceptually transparent." So while the audio will be compressed, you won't notice the difference between what your surround sound system delivers and the studio version -- or so Netflix says.

Secondly, how do I change audio settings on Netflix?

Change your audio settings (Windows App Only)

  1. Launch the Netflix app.
  2. Select a TV show or movie.
  3. While your TV show or movie is playing, move your mouse over the screen.
  4. Click the Dialog icon .
  5. If surround sound (5.1) is selected, try changing it to a non-5.1 option.
  6. Try Netflix again.

Does Netflix broadcast in Dolby Digital?

For users with Dolby Digital 5.1 systems, Netflix will now stream audio at up to 640 kbps, versus 192 kbps previously, and Dolby Atmos users will get bitrates up to 768 kbps.

Related Question Answers

Is Youtube a surround sound?

Yes it is a misnomer: 5.1 support on youtube does not mean you will hear sounds on each speaker independently. This is not surround sound, it just sends the same audio channel (mono) to all 5 speakers, thus you will hear the exact same sounds coming from front left/right, center, rear right/left.

Should I use PCM or Dolby Digital?

Yes, PCM is uncompressed audio, whereas Dolby Digital is compressed, which compromises quality for space. Dolby TrueHD, on the other hand, is a lossless audio format, like a zip file, which is identical to PCM, in theory (I won't get into that debate). That's like asking if CD's sound better then MP3's.
Chloe Bennett
Author

Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.