I hope my neighbors like Marvel because they’re about to hear a lot of it.
Starting May 15, Disney+ is set to improve the home entertainment experience by introducing IMAX-Enhanced audio with DTS:X technology. This makes Disney+ the first major streaming service to offer this immersive audio format.
IMAX-Enhanced Audio on Disney+
IMAX-enhanced audio is a technology that brings the full range of theatrical content to your living room.
This uses the DTS:X codec, a high-efficiency, low-bandwidth solution made for streaming applications.
Unlike traditional surround sound, which offers a two-dimensional audio experience, DTS:X introduces a third dimension with sound coming from above.
This addition enhances the realism and immersion of the audio experience. It provides a powerful, cinema-like sound that complements the stunning ultra-high-definition visual content while conserving data.
Ultimately, this improvement promises to make people feel like they’re in the middle of the action.
Sven Mevissen, director of product management for DTS, talked about how unique DTS:X is for streaming.
“Compared to other surround sound experiences, DTS:X literally goes above and beyond.” says Sven Mevissen, director of product management for DTS.
“The bespoke 3D audio technology adds a new level of audio immersion, creating a heightened experience that’s closer to how we hear sound in the real world. This is all done over a simple internet connection.”
Featured Films With IMAX-Enhanced Audio
On May 15, “Queen Rock Montreal” will debut globally on Disney+ as the first concert film to feature IMAX-enhanced sound.
This film was originally captured on 35mm during Queen’s 1981 The Game Tour at the Montreal Forum and has been meticulously remastered. It shows several of the band’s most famous tracks, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody to Love,” and “Under Pressure,” with outstanding clarity and sound.
The setlist also features lesser-known songs such as “Sheer Heart Attack” and “Keep Yourself Alive.” All alongside a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock.”
Aside from this, 18 Marvel films will also receive the IMAX-enhanced sound treatment.
This includes:
- Ant-Man and the Wasp
- Doctor Strange
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Eternals
- Avengers: Endgame
- Guardians of the Galaxy (Vol. 2)
- Black Panther
- Guardians of the Galaxy (Vol. 3)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- The Marvels
- Black Widow
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- Captain America: Civil War
- Thor: Ragnarok
- Captain Marvel
How to Experience IMAX-Enhanced Audio at Home
To get the best sound from IMAX Enhanced movies, subscribers should have DTS-certified gear. This includes some AV receivers and soundbars from top brands like Sony, Hisense, Denon, and Marantz.
Additionally, big brands like LG, TCL, Philips, and Vizio also use DTS:X, so there are more devices that work with it.
When Disney+ users with a compatible device select an IMAX Enhanced film for the first time, they will see a notification featuring an audio control panel. This panel allows them to activate IMAX-enhanced sound.
Once activated, all titles available with this feature will automatically play with IMAX-enhanced sound.
For those who prefer to watch content on mobile devices, DTS:X is also mobile-friendly.
With DTS Headphone:X, users can enjoy an immersive binaural experience using their headphones or mobile devices, bringing the full DTS:X surround sound experience wherever they go.