Now that the new tier scenario has gone into effect (as of January 29 in the U. S. ), the U. S. It turns out that Amazon’s unconventional technique for introducing an advertising tier into its video subscription style comes with more bad news: the Prime classified-ad video tier also denies subscribers the benefits they previously had from Dolby Vision’s superior dynamically diverse photography and Dolby Atmos sound.
So, in addition to having to put up with classified ads on a subscription that they possibly would have signed up for months ago without expecting classified ads to be involved, fundamental-level subscribers are now finding that they don’t get the same potential symbol functionality either. and premium sound features they once had.
As far as I can tell, Amazon makes no mention of this major new performance limitation in the information it put out on its new ads tier. Maybe it forgot. Or maybe it figured that it was awkward enough telling people that they were suddenly going to have to put up with ads on the tier they’d already subscribed to, and so just couldn’t bring themselves to also mention the lost Dolby features. Or maybe, just maybe, the whole thing is a technical error.
[UPDATE: Since I first published this article, Amazon/Prime Video has shown me that moving Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to the ad-free tier is planned and is the result of a technical issue. ]
Whatever Amazon’s reason for not mentioning it, though, it is indeed the case that neither ultra-immersive Dolby Atmos object-based soundtracks nor Dolby Vision’s premium version of HDR (which adds extra scene-by-scene image data to the HDR feed to help compatible TVs deliver better picture quality) are still available on the ads tier, while they are still available if you pay the extra to access the ads-free tier.
This progression was first reported today via German tech site 4kfilme. de, which was briefed on the scenario via some of its readers before checking it out for themselves on Sony, LG and Samsung TVs (although Samsung TVs don’t have Dolthrough Vision HDR. at least, it has to be said).
I also checked it out for myself on a recent TCL TV, created a new Prime Video main account, switched between this and an ad-free account, and wagered an episode of Jack Ryan-encoded Dolby Vision/Dolby Atmos from the Amazon. TV series. In the ad-free account, the TV features its own confirmation boxes to imply that the screen is streaming in Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos. However, on the ad-supported pivotal account, the TV’s Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos pop-ups remain stubbornly absent.
To add a bit of confusion to the mix, on the TCL TV I used, the Prime Video header information for the Jack Ryan show that appears on the with-ads basic account shows Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos among the supported technical features—yet when you start to play the episode, neither feature is delivered to the TV.
Even more strangely, while Dolby Vision HDR has gone on the with-ads service, you still get HDR10+. This alternative/rival premium HDR format to Dolby Vision also delivers extra scene by scene image data—though the fact that HDR10+ remains available in the Prime Video basic tier when Dolby Vision (which the TCL TV defaults to if both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ encodes are available) does not raises questions, not for the first time, over whether the version of HDR10+ Amazon deploys is quite the same full version of the format available elsewhere.
The oddities described in the preceding paragraphs initially, when I first published this story, added credence to the concept that the loss of Dolby Vision and Atmos from the ad-supported Prime Video tier was more accidental than deliberate. Now, however, based on Prime Video’s update, it’s clear that this is a definitive business resolution, and as such, ad-level subscribers don’t expect its Old Dolby features to return anytime soon. If ever.
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Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos added to TVs, monitors, PCs, and cars
Prior to joining Forbes, I worked as a reporter and editor at Bloomberg, where I covered everything from sports to the effect of negative rates on the Black-Scholes model.
I’m a graduate of the University of Miami. Before joining Forbes I worked as a reporter and editor at Bloomberg where I covered everything from sports to how negative rates impacted the Black-Scholes model.
I’ve spent the last 25 years writing about the world of home entertainment technology, first for Home Cinema Choice magazine, where I became an associate editor, and for the last 20 years as a freelancer. During that time, I’m pretty sure I’ve reviewed more TVs and projectors than any other user on the planet and I’ve experienced the rise and fall of all forms of home entertainment technology, wonderful and less good. Lately I’ve been a regular contributor to Trustedreviews. com, Techradar. com, Home Cinema Choice magazine, Wired, Pocket-Lint. com and, of course, Forbes.
Follow me on Twitter @bigjohnnyarcher, Facebook or read my other Forbes articles on my profile page.
I’ve spent the past 25 years writing about the world of home entertainment technology–first at Home Cinema Choice magazine, where I became Deputy Editor, and for the past 20 years on a freelance basis. In that time I’m fairly confident that I’ve reviewed more TVs and projectors than any other individual on the planet, as well as experiencing first-hand the rise and fall of all manner of great and not so great home entertainment technologies. I am currently a regular contributor to Trustedreviews.com, Techradar.com, Home Cinema Choice magazine, Wired, Pocket-Lint.com and, of course, Forbes.
Follow me on Twitter @bigjohnnyarcher, Facebook or read my other Forbes articles on my profile page.
I’ve been writing about technology for two decades and am routinely struck by how the sector swings from startling innovation to persistent repetitiveness. My areas of specialty are wearable tech, cameras, home entertainment and mobile technology. I also work as an actor, enjoying equally the first Mission Impossible movie, a season at Shakespeare’s Globe and a part in the fourth series of The Crown. n
nI have written for The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Times, The Daily Mail, The Sun, Metro, Stuff, T3, Pocket-lint, Wareable. com and Wired. Currently, most of my work is outside of Forbes. appears in the Independent, the Evening Standard and Monocle Magazine. Follow me on Instagram: davidphelantech, or Twitter: @davidphelan2009.
Follow me on Instagram: davidphelantech or Twitter: @davidphelan2009.
I’ve been writing about generation for two decades, and I’m amazed at how the industry goes from unexpected innovation to persistent repetitiveness. My areas of experience are wearable technologies, cameras, home entertainment and the cellular generation. I also paint as an actor. , also enjoying the first Mission Impossible film, a season at Shakespeare’s Globe and a role in the fourth season of The Crown. n
nI’ve written for the Daily Telegraph, the Sunday Times, the Daily Mail, the Sun, Metro, Stuff, T3, Pocket-lint, Wareable.com and Wired. Right now most of my work away from Forbes appears in the Independent, the Evening Standard and Monocle Magazine. Follow me on Instagram: davidphelantech, or Twitter: @davidphelan2009.
Follow me on Instagram: davidphelantech or Twitter: @davidphelan2009.
I am known for my strong views on mobile technology, online media, and the effect this has on the public conscious and existing businesses.nI’ve been following this space for over ten years, working with a number of publishers, publications and media companies, some for long periods of time, others for commissions, one-off pieces or a series of articles or shows.nAs Scotland’s first podcaster, I continue to be a prominent voice in the rise of podcasting and new media online, and picked up a British Academy (BAFTA) nomination for my annual coverage of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, alongside contributions to Radio 5 Live, the BBC World Service, presenting Edinburgh local radio’s coverage of the General Election.nnYou’ll find me on Twitter (@Ewan), Facebook, and Google Plus.
Follow me on Facebook. Discover more of my paintings on ewanspence. co. uk, Twitter and Linked In. You subscribe to my weekly newsletter “Trivial Messages”.
I’m known for my strong critiques of cellular technology, online media, and the effect they have on existing audiences and businesses. nI’ve followed this chart for over a decade, collaborating with various publishers, publications, and outlets. outlets. companies, some for long periods of time, others on commissions, one-off pieces, or a series of articles or programs. nAs Scotland’s first podcaster, I continue to be a voice in the rise of podcasting and new online media. I have been nominated for the British Academy (BAFTA) for my annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival policy, as well as for my contributions to Radio five Live, the BBC’s global service, which features the general policy of Edinburgh local radio. choice. nnYou can reach me on Twitter. (@Ewan), Facebook and Google Plus.
Follow me on Facebook. Find more of my work at ewanspence.co.uk, on Twitter, and Linked In. You should subscribe to my weekly newsletter of ‘Trivial Posts’.
I’ve worked as a generation journalist since the early 90s. My hobby is photography and the ever-changing hardware and software we use to create it, whether it’s classic cameras and Photoshop or smartphones and tablets with their apps. I also worked extensively on PC titles such as PC Magazine and Personal Computer World and controlled PCW’s hardware verification labs. This led me to check and review all kinds of print and online generation. I am satisfied with written and photographic works and you can contact us with doubts, recommendations or arguments through email. Find me on Instagram @paul_monckton.
Follow Paul:rnrnInstagram @paul_monckton
I have worked as a mainstream journalist since the early 90s. My hobby is photography and the ever-changing hardware and software we use to create it, whether it’s classic cameras and Photoshop or smartphones and tablets with their apps. I also worked extensively on PC titles such as PC Magazine and Personal Computer World and controlled PCW’s hardware testing labs. This led me to check and review all types of print and online generation. I am satisfied with written and photographic works and you can contact us with questions, recommendations or arguments via email. Find me on Instagram @paul_monckton.
Follow Paul:rnrnInstagram @paul_monckton
I have been identified as one of the industry’s leading consultants, analysts, and futurists, covering the realm of computers and client technologies. I’ve worked at Creative Strategies since 1981 and have consulted with most of the industry’s leading hardware and software vendors, including IBM. , Apple, Xerox, Hewlett Packard/Compaq, Dell, AT
The author’s perspectives expressed here reflect his independent research and have obtained any financial or non-financial reimbursement by a company’s board of directors in Forbes. com.
I have been identified as one of the industry’s leading consultants, analysts, and futurists, covering the realm of computers and client technologies. I’ve worked at Creative Strategies since 1981 and have consulted with most of the industry’s leading hardware and software vendors, including IBM. , Apple, Xerox, Hewlett Packard/Compaq, Dell, AT
The author’s opinions expressed here reflect his independent analysis and has received no monetary or non-monetary compensation to reference any company on Forbes.com.
I am a freelance journalist based in Dublin covering many areas of the generation industry. In the past I was a journalist at Fora and contributed to Tech. eu. My byline was also featured in BBC News, Vice, and Mashable.
I’m a freelance journalist based in Dublin and covering many areas of the tech industry. I was a journalist at Fora and a regular contributor to Tech. eu. My byline was also featured in BBC News, Vice, and Mashable.
I’ve been a generation editor and editor for over 20 years. I’ve been an assistant editor in the generation segment of the Sunday Times, editor of PC Pro magazine, and I’ve written for more than a dozen other publications and Internet sites in the United States. Over the years, I’ve also given the impression of being a generation of TV and radio experts, including BBC Newsnight, The Chris Evans Show and ITN News at Ten.
Contact me if you have a technical story to barry@mediabc. co. uk.
I have been a technology writer and editor for more than 20 years. I was assistant editor of The Sunday Times’ technology section, editor of PC Pro magazine and have written for more than a dozen different publications and websites over the years. I’ve also appeared as a tech pundit on television and radio, including BBC Newsnight, the Chris Evans Show and ITN News at Ten.
Please contact me if you have a technical story at barry@mediabc. co. uk.
I write about consumer audio, computer accessories, Apple Macs, macOS and digital photography at Forbes. I love technology that makes life more fun, more creative and more enjoyable. My mission to hunt down and review the best products featuring innovative technology so you know what to buy.
I write about client audio, PC accessories, Apple Macs, macOS, and virtual photography for Forbes. I love the generation that makes life more fun, more creative, and more enjoyable. My project is to study and compare the products with the most avant-garde generation. You know what to buy.