In efforts to improve user experience, Netflix decided to introduce high-quality audio so your Netflix movies and shows sound better.
Now, worry not that this feature will cause longer your videos to buffer longer because it is an adaptive feature that matches your Internet speed. For instance, if your Internet speed is low, the audio quality will be decreased to prevent long buffering periods and if your Internet speed is high, the audio quality automatically improves. This is similar to Netflix’s video quality which is also adaptive.
According to Netflix, the bitrate for 5.1 surround sound has been increased up to 640kbps while the bitrate for Dolby Atmos has been increased up to 768kbps. Of course, you’ll need to ensure that your devices come with Dolby Atmos support or is connected to an audio system that supports 5.1 surround sound, and only those subscribed to the Premium plan will be able to enjoy Dolby Atmos.
The new feature is already launched, so you probably have to update your Netflix app if you haven’t already.
