By the end of 2015, you might be familiar with a new word (Dolby Atoms), especially those who went to see a movie at the Star Cineplex. If you go to see a movie in two of the many halls there, you have to pay a little more for the ticket. The reason is that they set up the Dolby Atoms sound system in those two halls.

This sound system makes the atmosphere of cinema halls more lively and that is why you can enjoy movies better when you watch movies in these halls. So let me introduce you to this Dolby Atoms system.

You already know about the Dolby Sound system, but you may not know what other formats there are in this system. “Dolby Atoms” is the latest version of those formats. The technology was invented in 2012 which added a new dimension to the world of cinema. In a word, it is a new surround sound technology that will give you a sense of three-dimensional sound. This sound system has added a new chapter to the presentation of sound.

The sound used to be transmitted from all around you while watching movies in theaters or at home, but this “Dolby Atmos” system has also been used to transmit sound to you from the direction. For example, in a movie, if a helicopter, plane or any other object is visible on the movie screen (goes up or down) then you will feel as if it has gone over your head.

Again, if lightning flashes in the sky, it will feel as if lightning flashed over you. Tell me how it feels!

For our country, setting up this sound system commercially in cinemas is still a costly affair, but in the case of home theater, the price is within reach. This type of home theater can only be built with a speaker system and decoder that supports Dolby Atoms. The Dolby Atoms sound system adds two more special (minimum) speakers and audio channels (in the case of home theaters) to the traditional 5.1 or 6.1 speaker system, but the number of speakers is much higher in theaters.

That being said, the Dolby Atoms speaker system is expressed in three numbers (e.g. in 5.1.2 format). This point 2 means those 2 extra speakers [যা ছাদের সাথে লাগান হয়]. The number of speakers can be up to four, then it will be written / called 5.1.4 system. However, with the 5.1 sound system, usually two extra speakers are added. 6.1.2 system, 7.2.2 system, 6.2.4 speaker system are also available in the market. Also 9.2.4, 11.2.4 sound systems are available for purchase and the price is a bit higher.

For those of you who don’t know what 5.1.2 sound system means, there are five separate equal power speakers / amplifier channels, one subwoofer channel / speakers and two ceiling speakers / amplifier channels. I hope you understand this time.

In addition, a special type of speaker has been released for those who do not have a speaker attached to the ceiling, they are called “Dolby Atoms enabled” speakers. The speaker sends sound from the bottom to the ceiling and from there reflects the sound and spreads it down, allowing the listener to hear the sound as if it were coming from above.

The human ear can detect the exact place where every sound is produced, hence the advent of this sound system to make movies more enjoyable. Who knows how much more exciting, more enjoyable things will come in the future, but happy with what they have right now. With the help of these you can also make your hobby theater.

Author: Ashraful Ferdous
Mirpur, Dhaka.