Netflix is introducing two new benefits exclusively for its premium subscribers: implementing spatial audio support in the streaming platform’s top 700 titles and increasing the number of download devices from four to six. Announced via press release, both new features are available globally today and at no extra cost to Netflix’s premium tier subscribers, who pay $19.99 per month for 4K HDR and other benefits.
Netflix first introduced the feature last July in a limited number of original titles on the platform. Spatial audio will now be available on 700 titles, including The Watcher, Wednesday and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and will be added to new titles as they are released, including You, Your Place or Mine, Luther: The Fallen Sun and Tour de France. To see the full list of titles currently available to watch with surround audio, just type “surround audio” into the Netflix search bar.
Surround audio is designed for built-in stereo speakers and is best optimized for laptops and tablets
Surround audio is a feature that can emulate immersive surround sound through stereo speakers or headphones across a range of devices — including TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones — without requiring specialized audio equipment. Surround audio probably won’t benefit users using multi-channel surround sound systems, but the feature should provide a noticeable improvement for people who don’t have access to professional audio equipment.
In terms of how best to listen to spatial audio content, Netflix has revealed the following guidelines:
Surround audio is designed for built-in stereo speakers on any device receiving a stereo stream. It also provides a more immersive headphone experience. Surround audio is primarily optimized for laptops and tablets. Also seen on TVs (up close) and phones with stereo speakers (usually when in landscape mode).
Premium subscribers can now download Netflix content on two additional devices, increasing the total number of downloadable devices from four to six. “With people more connected than ever through multiple devices, we learned through research that members would like the option to download Netflix series and movies to watch offline on more devices, especially while traveling and switching between devices,” Netflix said.
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