PS5 3D Audio Explained: погружение в звук нового поколения
With the release of the PlayStation 5, there’s been plenty of chatter about the console’s upgraded audio capabilities. The PS5 touts a new system architecture designed to bring a greater level of immersion to the audio experience. Let's delve into the details of PS5's 3D audio, exploring its technology, features, and impact on gaming and media experiences.
Как работает 3D Audio на PS5?
Developed for the PS5, Sony’s 3D audio uses an object-based system to place virtual objects in 3D space around the user. The developers position game sounds in 3D space around the player to reflect where those sounds should be, relative to the player and the screen in front. This provides increased “presence and locality,” in Sony’s words.
Rather than adopt or build on an existing standard such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, Sony created its own competing system from the ground up. Since all the processing is built-in, no special external hardware is necessary.
Sony 3D audio will work over your existing TV speakers, a stereo, 5.1 or 7.1 system, or preferably, headphones, which convey the effect of 3D audio most dramatically. You won’t be needing those up-firing speakers to experience Sony 3D audio.
Что такое HRTF?
The term HRTF refers to the effect our shoulders, head, and outer ears have on sound waves coming from different sources before they encounter our eardrums. Those physical interactions impact the timing, levels, and phase relationships of the different frequency content of the sounds we hear. As part of our hearing system, our brains are able to decode all those changes to decipher where the sound likely originated in the space around us.
If you were to place tiny microphones inside your ears and make a recording, it would include the effect of your personal HRTF. You would have a binaural recording that would work perfectly for you if you played it back over headphones, but it wouldn’t work quite as well for anyone else.
Персонализированный 3D Audio для PS5
PlayStation 5 will get improved 3D audio through an option to create a personalized audio profile. - "We’re pleased to introduce a feature that lets your PS5 console create a personalized 3D audio profile just for you," explained Sony. Each PS5 user can create a personalized audio profile.
Several years ago, FlatpanelsHD was given a demonstration of Sony's 3D audio technology, long before it was introduced as 360 Reality Audio for music and as Tempest 3D AudioTech for PlayStation 5. During this demonstration, we had our ears mapped using a camera to create a Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF). Since then, various companies have introduced personalized 3D audio, mapping the user's ears using a camera or a series of sound tests.
Sony's personalized 3D audio works with headphones and earphones connected to PS5. The company said that personalized 3D audio will only be supported in games run locally on the console.
Совместимость и доступность
Headphone audio is the current gold standard for 3D Audio on PS5, as Mark Cerny mentioned in his “Road to PS5” talk in March. In the meantime, I’m happy to say that you’ll be able to enjoy the PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech through your compatible headphones in many PS5 games.
Sony released the Pulse 3D headset to accompany the PlayStation 5. While this headset was specifically developed for the console, it isn’t necessary to get the full 3D audio experience. With a refined design, dual noise-cancelling microphones, and an array of easy-access controls, the Pulse 3D wireless headset offers a seamless experience for both the PS5 and PS4. This is definitely a headset aimed at couch-bound gamers.
Dolby Atmos и PS5
A PlayStation audio engineer has confirmed that all PS5 games that support Tempest 3D audio will automatically get Dolby Atmos support. It’s both. There is an automatic Atmos mix for all existing games that support 3D Audio.
PS5 media apps will not automatically support Dolby Atmos. When announcing the new feature on the PS Blog, Sony encouraged media app providers to update their apps on the PS5 to add Dolby Atmos support. However, the ability to do so will become available after the system update leaves beta and is rolled out worldwide.
As a reminder for beta participants, Dolby Atmos can be turned on by going to [Settings] > [Sound] > [Audio Output] > [Audio Format (Priority)].
Влияние на существующее оборудование
If you rely on your TV’s speakers, stereo speakers, a 5.1, or 7.1 system for gaming, you should also be happy: the PS5 can use them. The console’s processing might even breathe new life into your existing setup, as it lets you fine-tune your speaker configuration and placement in the PS5 audio output menu.
If you recently shelled out some big bucks on upgrading your TV sound with Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X capabilities, you’ll probably be disappointed. The PS5 doesn’t fully utilize those systems.
Будущие обновления и улучшения
Performance over speakers, in their various possible configurations, is expected to improve over time with future updates. Additionally, Sony has hinted at plans to roll out further refinements to the HRTF options, with the potential for customized or even fully personalized HRTFs in the future.
Вывод
Sony clearly spent a lot of time developing its Tempest audio engine and the results of the PlayStation 5’s 3D audio are indeed impressive. At this time it is most effective over headphones, which is clearly where the company focused the majority of its research.
Whether Sony 3D audio is considered a good thing or not really depends on where you’re coming from. If you’re a gamer who prefers using headphones, this is all great and definitely something to be happy about. You don’t even need to buy a new gaming headset to enjoy the feature.
If you’re just an interested observer with no real interest in actually buying a PlayStation 5, the important thing to understand about all this is there’s now another 3D surround sound format out there. It might be superior, but it doesn’t play nicely with the competition. Clearly, Sony is coming out swinging for another format war.
Другие особенности PS5
- Remote Play for individual users: You can now adjust Remote Play settings per user and choose who is allowed to connect to your PS5 console using Remote Play.
- Adaptive charging for controllers: Adaptive charging helps save power by adjusting the length of time that power is supplied to the console's USB ports based on your controller's battery level. Adaptive charging of PS controllers.