The Multi-Sensory Impact of 3D Sound in Virtual Reality — CES 2016
Accurate and realistic 3D sound in VR is vital to shaping experiences #CES2016
This week at CES, Dolby made some noise as it brought exciting news to the VR space. When thinking about the experience of using and interacting with virtual reality content, people mostly think about the quality of sight and the fascinating visual aspects of the medium. However, for users to have a truly immersive experience, considering 3D sound and how it plays into the development and presentation of VR content is also important.
Like sight, we react viscerally to sounds. Filmmakers who make content for virtual reality platforms often stress the importance of sound for storytelling in cinematic VR. Having high quality and accurate, realistic sound in VR is key to the viewer’s experience. It not only transports individuals to virtual world, but also is responsible for guiding them through the story or narrated experience. The combination of the immersive sight and sounds are the tools filmmakers rely on to evoke a sense of presence and engagement within the stories they create.
Just this week, viewers and users of VR got to experience this element of quality sound through Dolby Atmos.
This sound technology enables a heightened sense of presence and engagement in a cinematic VR experience. Dolby Atmos sound places the user into a 360° digital space where sound travels above, below, and all around you to simulate a natural, 3-dimensional reality. Professional sound engineers are already adopting the Dolby Atmos VR mixing tools that give creative range and precise control over the placement and movement of sounds within their work.
Dolby Atmos and other progressive sound technologies are helping content creators feel secure that the soundscapes that their teams produce will play back in the same high quality on different VR platforms and devices as how they’ve originally envisioned.
For example, Jaunt, the leading distributor of high quality Cinematic VR content, works closely with the Dolby team to bring new and innovative experiences to market. This new platform will continue to expand with options and rich experience.
Get the most out of this year’s CES with PSFK CES 2016 Guide, featuring the best booths and events, as well as daily schedules and recommendations. Check out our coverage on PSFK and head over to our SlideShare page to download the full guide.
Originally published at www.psfk.com on January 7, 2016.