Xbox Series S and X Now Support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and Here's All That You Need to Know About It (2024)

Updated November 29, 2022 / By Slava / Leave a Comment / News

Xbox Series S and X Now Support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and Here's All That You Need to Know About It (1)

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In case you did not know, you can experience the magic of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision on your Xbox Series X and S. Yes, the support for Dolby Atmos has been there since 2017 for the gaming console.

But, it was for an older generation. Microsoft has expanded its support and made the latest generation console match up.

Although Dolby Vision and Atmos are there for both Xbox Series S and X, you will need a license to use the spatial audio with your headphones.

Xbox Series S and X Now Support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and Here's All That You Need to Know About It (3)

On the contrary, if you plan on using speakers and soundbars, you do not need an additional license.

Talking of acquiring the license, some of the headphones come with a free license.For example, the Xbox Wireless Headset. So, if speakers are not your thing, you might want to grab one of those headphones.

Nonetheless, you might be wondering what Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos are about for Xbox Series X and S.

At its core, Dolby Vision is an HDR format. It promises better overall contrast, highlights, and vibrant colors than other HDR technologies.

Xbox Series S and X Now Support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and Here's All That You Need to Know About It (4)

Dolby Vision does all the things automatically. And for games for the Xbox series S and X, it will tone the compatible games. So, players will not need to manually calibrate every game to get the best overall visual experience.

However, you need to know Dolby Vision gaming demands a compatible display. There is a thing about refresh rate too. And not all of the TV with Dolby Vision can offer a 120 Hz refresh rate.

The good news is that Dolby and Microsoft are working closely with TV manufacturers to make more compatible TVs. For example, LG CX got support through a firmware update.

Xbox Series S and X Now Support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and Here's All That You Need to Know About It (6)

On the other hand, Dolby Atmos is more about audio. It provides convincing spatial audio that gives you an immersive experience with the sound.

In other words, you will hear the sound with 360-degree pinpoint accuracy. It works with any headphones. However, not many Xbox games out there include Dolby Atmos Support.

Xbox Series S and X Now Support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and Here's All That You Need to Know About It (7)

Now, the support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision gives the Xbox the upper hand over Playstation 5. Currently, Sony utilizes HDR10 for high-dynamic range images. And for audio, it utilizes Tempest 3D audio tech, which is a proprietary spatial audio version.

There is no confirmation regarding how much better Series S and X are compared to Playstation 5 in this regard. However, with Dolby Vision’s and Dolby Atmos’s support, things are not looking great for Playstation 5.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS ONE?

Xbox Series S and X Now Support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and Here's All That You Need to Know About It (8)

Xbox Series S

Xbox Series S and X Now Support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and Here's All That You Need to Know About It (9)

Slava is a man of mystery and no-one seems to know exactly where he is at any point in time. When he isn't enjoying writing about all things audio and technical he can be found researching his next project of interest. The man never rests.

This post was last updated on 2024-04-01 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.

Xbox Series S and X Now Support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and Here's All That You Need to Know About It (2024)

FAQs

Should I enable Dolby Vision on Xbox Series X? ›

Unlock a more extensive, more precise color palette and contrast that's as sharp as it is pure. This is next-level gaming with next-level HDR. More than 100 titles optimized for Xbox Series X|S will benefit from Dolby Vision® enhancements, delivering a more accurate HDR gaming experience.

Is Dolby Atmos on Xbox Series X worth it? ›

The best Dolby Atmos Xbox Series X games are capable of transforming your gaming experience due to the wonders of spatial audio. Dolby's technology has been leading the charge for the past few years, so it's by far one of the best ways to make the most of your gaming experience.

Why does my Xbox say TV doesn't support Dolby Atmos? ›

You cannot play Dolby Atmos audio from the Xbox for the same reason you cannot play it from the Apple TV 4K. Both devices use a Dolby MAT encoder which requires eARC to play Dolby Atmos and Multichannel PCM audio. Because your TV isn't equipped with eARC, set the HDMI Audio setting on the Xbox to Dolby Digital.

Should I turn on Dolby Vision on the Xbox? ›

Dolby Vision gives you a new, expanded realm of ultravivid color, striking brightness, dramatic contrast, and lifelike detail that transport players into the world of your game. Even compared to generic HDR, Dolby Vision gives you a broader, more realistic palette of color and contrast to create stunning visuals.

Is Dolby Vision better than HDR? ›

If you are looking for a HDR-compatible TV, one that supports HDR 10 or HDR10+ is perfectly fine. If you want to get the absolute best in picture quality, Dolby Vision as a technology is what you should consider. It has better specs and looks better than HDR10+, but it isn't cheap.

What is the disadvantage of Dolby Atmos? ›

Most likely it should not be too high so that the sound won't be too thin. Another drawback is of course will be more expensive and taking a lot of work. Last but not least, no surround system will play in Atmos, not even a system with 100 ceiling speakers, IF the source movie audio is not decoded in Dolby Atmos.

Is paying for Dolby Atmos worth it? ›

So, is Dolby Atmos worth it? Absolutely. It's a new wave of sound that gives you the best possible experience. You choose the content, the format, and the budget that's right for you and get audio that elevates your experience, making it time and money well spent.

Why do I have to pay for Dolby Atmos on Xbox? ›

Everything that uses Dolby Atmos has an increased cost because they have to pay for the license to use it. It's not a monthly charge, and it can continue to be used without it, but then you won't be able to use Dolby Atmos with it.

Why won't my Xbox allow Dolby Vision? ›

To enable Dolby Vision, press the Xbox button  to open the guide, and then go to Settings > General > TV & display options > Video modes > Allow Dolby Vision.

How to get Dolby Atmos for free Xbox? ›

Download Dolby Access on your Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows 10/11 PC to set up Dolby Atmos on your soundbar, TV, or home theater — or start your free trial of Dolby Atmos for Headphones.

Does Xbox Series S have Dolby Atmos? ›

Dolby Atmos is supported on Xbox Series X|S. Since the Xbox OS is Windows 10 Core (like PC), Microsoft Spatial Sound is supported as a platform level solution for spatial sound.

How do I activate Dolby Atmos on Xbox Series S? ›

How to set up Dolby Atmos on Xbox Series X|S
  1. Navigate to the Settings menu on your Xbox.
  2. Go to General > Volume & Audio Output.
  3. Set the dropdown box under Speaker Audio to "Dolby Atmos for home theater."
  4. If you want to use Dolby Atmos for headphones, select that option under Headset Audio > Headset format.
Aug 22, 2022

Does Dolby Vision make games look better? ›

Introducing Dolby Vision for gaming

Dolby Vision allows you to create games with incredible brightness, contrast, and color for a more intense, immersive, and engaging experience.

Is Dolby Vision important? ›

Dolby Vision also acts as an embedded instruction manual for hardware screens to display the most true-to-life version of the scene it possibly can. Without any action required on your part, changes in light and dark between shots — whether subtle or substantial — are nuanced to keep viewing easy on your eyes.

What games are best for Dolby Vision? ›

After you have set up your Xbox, there are some great games you can play in Dolby Vision. On Xbox, you can play Halo Infinite, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, Borderlands 3, and Microsoft Flight Simulator, to name just a few.

What does Dolby Vision do? ›

Dolby Vision is a visual technology designed to elevate the visual experience and empowers visual creatives to infuse their work with a depth and vibrancy previously thought unattainable. It's a revolution in how we see and feel visual content.

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