What Is Dolby Atmos and DTS-X? - A General Overview and Review

The video contains a general overview of Dolby Atmos/DTS-X, including history, requirements, configurations, limitations, and my thoughts on these formats. Dolby Atmos is a immersive surround sound format used in some movies. Unlike other formats, Dolby Atmos and DTS-X support ceiling speakers which are positioned above the listening position. These discrete speakers provide a unique 3D experience that adds a unique feel to most movies. Dolby Atmos can be configured in two different ways. It can either be setup using in-ceiling speakers or Dolby Atmos-Enabled speakers can be used. A Dolby Atmos-enabled speaker is a speaker that's angled towards the ceiling and reflects sound off the ceiling in order to create an overhead effect. This works well in some rooms but doesn't provide the same experience as actual in-ceiling speakers.

Everything You Need to Know About Home Audio:

Everything you Need To Know About 4K HDR, HDCP, HDMI:

Home Theater Equipment:

Projector: Optoma UHD60 4K
Screen: 135” Edge-Free Elite Screen (CineGray)
Audio Receiver: Denon X6300H 11.2 Channel
Add-On 2-Channel Atmos Amp: Audio Source AMP100VS
Media Players: Nvidia Shield + Xbox One S
Media Storage: Synology DS916+
Remote System: Logitech Harmony Hub + Echo Dot
Screen Lighting: Wentop 33ft LED Strip
Projector HDMI: RUIPRO HDMI Fiber Cable 33ft
Media Storage: Ikea Besta TV Unit
Speaker Cable: Mediabridge 14AWG
Lighting Control: Smarthings Hub + Echo Dot

Speakers (7.2.4 Dolby Atmos):
Floor Speakers: Klipsch RP-280FA (Ebony)
Center Channel: Klipsch RP-450C (Ebony)
Subwoofers: Klipsch R-115SW
Surrounds: RP-250S (Black)
Rear Surrounds: RP-150M (Ebony)
Ceiling (Atmos): Polk RC80i

Seating:
Seatcraft Venetian Black Leather 7000 (4x)
Palliser Pacifico Black Leather (4x)
Riser: DIY Build
Riser Lighting: WenTop 33ft LED Strip

[ChrisMajestic]

Here's a video tour for those of you who asked to see a tour of my home theater. Thanks

[jeffw]

Watched three videos, learned more than I have in the last year. Your calling is definitely making these videos. Speech, content, editing -superb. Earned my sub.

[doctajuice]

Subbed halfway through because you're giving me more USEFUL information than my last 6 Google searches combined. Thank you.

[Mightypepino]

This guy really knows his media entertainment. A true pro.

[kevonmanuel]

You should avoid using the word "cheap" when you are talking about a product. Use Affordable. Cheap will equate to poorly made.

[joevanseeters]

That is one SWEET home theater. I would be happy with 1/4 of the incredible equipment you have in your home theater. This is truly my DREAM home theater set up. Maybe To

[PlayerZW]

You are a pro on sound, I am slowly becoming one because of your content. Great work.

[suzi]

I am recently looking into Dolby Atmos for my living room. I found one of your videos and it had lead me to others. Thanks for such high level explanations!! Your videos are extremely helpful! Just wanted to give you props! I hope to keep finding gold on your channel! Ty!!!

[MegaOldschoold]

You should have mentioned upscaling. Upscaling takes a 5.1 or 7.1 and adds the ceiling speakers into the mix. Neural:X sounds amazing and in my opinion just as good or better than Atmos or DTS:X. Any receiver with Atmos will have upmixing capability. And my system only has 2 ceiling speakers and still sounds great! And if you cannot, or are afraid to cut holes in your ceiling you can use small satellite speakers and mount them to the ceiling for Atmos, I repurposed some Polk RM7's and they sound great.

[TXSTYLE]

Great job. Clear. Concise. No fluff.
I can appreciate that much more than folks trying to "plug themselves or they're services or brands".
I am in the process of setting up my brand new Home Theater up with: Yamaha RX3070, Klipsch, Micca, silver Ticket 135" screen and more! Super Hyped!!! Going to the local Megaplex will be a thing of the past...

[HoundDogMech]

The only thing missing from your list of Home Theater Equipment:
is the Prices with a total at the bottom. Other than that really informative I even booked marked it for future reference. I don't think that many Best Buy audio/TV sales persons really understand 4k, HDMI, & HDCP compatibility problems and the pit falls of non certified/interrogated systems. You have certainly have enlightened me. Thanks.

[antonioowensby]

I preordered Star Wars the last Jedi 4K UHD Steelbook which said it will have the Dolby Atmos track, that would be a perfect opportunity to test the in ceiling/enabled drivers to the max.

[amigolifeUS]

Two subwoofers is nice but... you can get headaches with too much bass in some cases. The fix I used was to install bass transducer under the sofa. You can feel a solid bass at lower volume with those. I have seen a few videos of expensive home theater setups and none mentioned bass transducers! It is one of most affordable items and yet makes a big difference. - I discovered bass transducers the first time I went to an "AMC Dolby Cinema" theater, check if your local AMC theater has one of those in your area and check them out by yourself.

[mikemmikem]

If you've not already done so you should look at SVS speakers, especially their surround "Elevation" series.

[americanidle]

Why are they using a horizontal center channel? Using 3 identical speakers for LCR creates a seamless sound-stage.

[AGC]

Any of us would love to have a similar Atmos system. But, it should be noted that the LAST thing any one should use are speakers that bounce sound of surfaces before they get to the viewer. As in this Klipsch system. There are manufacturers like SVS that make "height speakers" that can be mounted on the front and rear walls with the face of the speakers angled down towards the viewers. Or, use in-ceiling Atmos (angled 45 degrees drivers) in-ceiling speakers. Which any one can put in if building a HT room.

[kendallwillssterling]

So, given that most movies aren't shot in Atmos or DTS-X, should I set my home theater settings to "Dolby Surround"? I have the option of that, or DTS-X, or "last used"

[LaJoBa]

Outstanding presentation. In-ceiling speakers are the way to go. I have drop in ceiling tiles and sound does not reflect off them at all if any.

[The.Home.Cinema.Engineer]

Great video

Personally as a sound engineer I HATE the Dolby Atmos enabled speakers that point up ward relying on reflection will NEVER be any where near as good as discrete speaker in the actual spot you want sound to come from PERIOD !

[bahia]

Great overview and very informative, plus your production values are top notch!