Eclipsa Audio is a new 2D sound format developed in partnership between Samsung and Google for YouTube. This is a strategy from the Korean manufacturer which favors open-source alternatives to Dolby technologies such as HDR10+ which was preferred to Dolby Vision.
Samsung and Google present Eclipsa Audio
Eclipsa Audio is a free alternative to Dolby Atmos which represents the dominant 3D sound format with a paid license. According to Samsung, this technology offers similar functionality. For example, by allowing you to adjust “audio data such as the location and intensity of sounds, as well as spatial reflections” to create a three-dimensional sound experience.
It was in 2023 that Eclipsa Audio was introduced, first under the name Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF). WooHyun Nam, head of spatial audio at Samsung, presented this format as “a complete open source framework for 3D audio, from creation to delivery and playback”.
The Alliance for Open Media, a group that has campaigned for royalty-free codecs since 2015, has adopted the IAMF specification. Members include Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Netflix, in addition to Samsung and Google. The support of these tech giants would encourage the adoption of Eclipsa Audio even if the AV1 video codec took several years to become widespread.
Samsung and Google are also developing a certification program with the Telecommunications Technology Association to “guarantee consistent audio quality” on devices that use this format. This is a similar approach to Dolby and THX. At CES 2025, more details about Eclipsa Audio will be shared.
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