What technology moves beyond fixed channel counts like 5.1 by encoding sound as objects tied to three-dimensional coordinates?

Answer

Object-based audio, such as Dolby Atmos.

The modern expansion of the home theater dream is characterized by the integration of networking and object-based audio encoding, which represents the purest realization of the original filmmaker's intent. Technologies like Dolby Atmos move beyond the constraints of fixed channel counts (like 5.1 or 7.1) by treating sounds as discrete 'objects' that are assigned specific three-dimensional coordinates within the recording. The modern receiver's role then becomes sophisticated: it interprets these coordinates and maps the sound objects precisely to the specific speaker layout the consumer currently possesses, whether that setup has four speakers or fourteen, ensuring the intended spatial sound field is reproduced optimally.

What technology moves beyond fixed channel counts like 5.1 by encoding sound as objects tied to three-dimensional coordinates?

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