BLU-RAY DVD AUDIO / DOLBY ATMOS / DOLBY 5.1 AUDIO

 Hello and Welcome Back... Something a bit different this week as I stumble to get my head together after a shitty flu. 

I have been playing around with audio settings on my computer while listening to a few classic albums done in Blu-Ray Audio.

So what is Blu-Ray DVD Audio?

Firstly, don't think of it as normal audio, its not.. It basically multichannel video audio. So to play back this audio you will need a Video player that can decode MKV format, but its worth it because with the right setup, your old albums you grew up is going to sound like their standing in your living room or better, inside your head (using headphones)

Albums on this site are FLAC which is 2 channel stereo but MKV audio can be 2.1, 5.1 or 7.1 channels. Listening to 5.1 / 7.1 on headphones sounds like, the band has set up inside the spare room of your mind with the singer front and centre, synths off to the side, guitars the other side, and drums right at the back of your head.. Its quiet the experience..

The sound packages usually comes from Dolby Atmos and Dolby 5.1 audio. 

MKV = Dolby Atmos/ 5.1 / 7.1 'Video' Format 

FLAC = 5.1 / 7.1 Dolby 'music' format

Because a MKV Video file is larger, more information - channels can be put into a file - song giving a better listening experience 

Dolby Atmos is a listening experience that requires some setup. Those with newish laptops should hopefully have a decent Audio chip that can handle Dolby Atmos processing, also, most newish Android Mobile Phones also have Dolby Atmos availability.

Once you have setup properly, Your music will sound next level..

Lets get started

Firstly, I will start with laptops / computers.. You will need to download and pay for the Dolby Atmos App which you can find HERE   

Once done, there is some setting up, what sounds best is up to you as there is Movie Sound, Music Sound or you can adjust things to your taste. 

Once done, you will need to go into your sound setting (Hardware and Sound) using control panel, Click 'Sound', click on headphones (or speakers) (it will turn blue), then click on 'Properties' (right hand corner).. Scroll across to 'Spatial Sound' tab and there should be a 'Dolby Atmos For Headphones' selection, Click on 'Apply' and 'OK'

 This video should sound incredible..  

 

Next, is finding a app that will play MKV file format and decode properly.. I was using VLC player but found decoding 5.1 / 7.1 sketchy at times. The final verdict was to use 'Potplayer' which you can find HERE

Potplayer is a simple as picking up your MKV file and dropping it into the player and the fun begins.

 

 While the audio is playing, click on the 7.1 or 5.1 or whatever yours says and a big list will show, (see below)

 

Set the setting (see above) to 'Same as Input' that way, the player will recognize whats encoded in the music file and play accordingly..

Sometimes a Dolby format is 5.1 and in FLAC. What happens is when the Dolby App has not been setup, you will often hear the singer very clear but the rest of the song sounds very distant because its only picking up on 2 of the 5 channels.

Once you have Dolby setup properly, FLAC 5.1 will sound amazing, also use 'Potplayer' for proper 5.1 decoding for headphones / speakers... Sounds Moist.

Mobile phones are similar to computers, you will need to check to see if your phone does Dolby Atmos.

Go into settings and under search, put in Dolby / Dolby Atmos, ect, ect.. if your phone has settings for this setup, then yes, it will work..

My ASUS ROG8 Phone sadly doesn't (The ASUS ROG8 has Dirac Virtuo Spatial Sound, similar to Dolby but no biscuit) but my old Sony Xperia 1 III phone does = winning.

Next you will need a android player that can decode the formats. I found 'Just Player' (green icon) works a treat which you can find HERE 

Once setup, be sure to put your MKV files into 'Movie' folder (not music) in the phone storage as MKV is a movie file and tell the 'Just Player' to search Movie folder only..

FLAC 5.1 can be put into audio folder of your phone, you just have to tell 'Just Player' where to find your album 

And that's about it..

You should be soon on your way to a new way to listening to your fav albums on multi channel thru headphones  / speakers.

This week will see some of these albums headed your way..

Enjoy

B.T.W. These albums are bloody expensive to track down, a 'donate' would be kindly accepted to help cover expenses if you find these albums exciting and of use..

Many thanks

Back to the music..