Why Streaming Services Aren't Worth the Price: The Hidden Costs of Low-Quality Content
?? Eutim P.
Mechatronics Professional with Expertise in Product Development and Manufacturing Solutions
Introduction
When it comes to audio and video quality, streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ often fall short of delivering the immersive experience promised by their high-end equipment. Formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are designed to provide a cinematic audio experience, but what most people don't realize is that these formats aren’t always lossless. In fact, they often rely on compressed audio for convenience, particularly when streaming content. In this article, we’ll explore the complexities of these audio formats, what it means for your home theater setup, and why streaming services may never match the fidelity of physical media or high-quality home servers.
Why Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are not always lossless
DTS:X and Dolby Atmos can both support lossless audio when paired with formats like DTS-HD Master Audio or Dolby TrueHD. However, they are not inherently lossless because they are also designed to work with compressed audio (like Dolby Digital Plus or DTS-HD High Resolution) for convenience and bandwidth efficiency, particularly with streaming and digital delivery.
The quality of DTS:X and Dolby Atmos will depend on how they are encoded and delivered, whether through lossless audio on physical media or lossy formats for streaming.
Understanding Dolby TrueHD
Dolby TrueHD is a lossless audio codec that delivers studio-quality sound. It is primarily found on Blu-ray Discs and UHD Blu-rays and supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz audio across 16 channels.
Key Features:
Lossless Audio: Unlike compressed formats like Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD preserves every bit of the original audio without quality loss.
Channel Support: Supports up to 16 channels, but is also foundational for newer object-based formats like Dolby Atmos.
Blu-ray Standard: TrueHD is commonly used for high-definition audio tracks on Blu-rays, offering unparalleled clarity compared to older formats.
Dolby Atmos and TrueHD
Dolby Atmos is built on top of Dolby TrueHD. When a disc includes a Dolby Atmos track, the TrueHD codec handles the base audio while Atmos metadata adds object-based audio information. If you’re using a receiver that doesn’t support Atmos, you still get the full Dolby TrueHD quality.
DTS Equivalent: DTS-HD Master Audio
The closest competitor to Dolby TrueHD is DTS-HD Master Audio, which also provides lossless audio at similar quality levels. Both codecs are capable of delivering studio-grade audio fidelity, and the choice between them often comes down to content availability.
Comparison:
Audio Fidelity: Both codecs are lossless, so there’s no practical difference in quality.
Adoption: Dolby TrueHD is slightly more common, particularly on Blu-rays.
Extensions: Just as Dolby Atmos extends TrueHD, DTS:X extends DTS-HD Master Audio with object-based audio capabilities.
HDMI and Audio Standards
To enjoy Dolby TrueHD, your hardware must support the appropriate HDMI version. The first HDMI version to support Dolby TrueHD was HDMI 1.3, introduced in 2006. Here’s a breakdown of HDMI versions and their relevance:
HDMI Versions:
HDMI 1.4: Supports 4K at 30Hz
HDMI 2.0: Supports 4K at 60Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision
HDMI 2.1: Supports 8K at 60Hz, 4K at 120Hz and eARC, HDR10+
Bitstreaming vs PCM
Bitstreaming: The audio is sent in its original encoded format (e.g., Dolby TrueHD) to the receiver, which handles decoding.
PCM (Pulse Code Modulation): The source device decodes the audio and sends it as uncompressed PCM to the receiver.
While both methods can deliver the same audio quality, bitstreaming is often preferred for receivers with advanced decoding capabilities.
AV Receivers: Marantz NR Series and Beyond
The Marantz NR series is a line of slimline AV receivers known for balancing functionality and form factor. Here’s a quick look at the series:
Full Lineage of the Marantz NR Series:
NR1601 (2010) to NR1605 (2014): Dolby TrueHD, HDMI 1.4 / 2.0
领英推荐
NR1606 (2015) and NR1711 (2020): Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, eARC*, HDMI 2.0 / 2.1
Cinema 70s (2023): Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, DTS HD Master Audio, eARC, HDMI 2.1
Why Upgrade?
Older models like the NR1606 (2015) already support Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, and HDR. So why upgrade?
HDMI 2.1: Essential for gamers needing 4K at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz.
eARC: Simplifies setups by allowing TVs to send lossless audio back to the receiver.
Advanced Room Correction: Newer models feature enhanced room calibration tools like Dirac Live.
Streaming Services, Devices and Gaming
Netflix: Does not support Dolby TrueHD. It uses Dolby Digital Plus with Atmos metadata.
Amazon Prime Video and Disney+: Similar to Netflix, they use compressed formats.
Lossless Audio Streaming: Currently, no mainstream streaming service supports Dolby TrueHD.
Plex and Jellyfin: Can deliver lossless audio for formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, as long as:
Gaming: Video games typically use more compressed formats like Dolby Digital or Dolby Atmos (via Dolby Digital Plus) for real-time audio processing.
Why Won’t Streaming Services Like Netflix Offer Better Quality?
Streaming prices have soared, but content quality has only gotten worse. Netflix and similar platforms continue to rely on heavy compression and lossy audio formats, while restricting access to higher-quality streams through unnecessary barriers. For example, Netflix requires specific hardware like HDCP and HDMI, and software like Microsoft Edge, even though modern computers can easily display 4K HDR lossless content through VLC.
The network excuse also falls short. With gigabit speeds becoming standard in many homes thanks to fiber and 5G, the idea that bandwidth is a limitation is no longer valid.
The truth is, streaming services are prioritizing profits over quality. By keeping content in lower quality, they save on storage and transmission costs, all while charging higher subscription fees. So when will platforms prioritize the high-quality experience consumers deserve?
How Netflix and Other Streaming Services Create Monopolies and Limit Access to Quality Content
Streaming services like Netflix often create monopolies by signing exclusive contracts with content creators, preventing them from selling or distributing their films elsewhere—sometimes even blocking Blu-ray sales. This forces consumers to rely on low-quality streams at high prices.
While viewers might prefer to buy Blu-rays for better audio and video, these creators are often restricted from offering that option. Instead, they’re pushed into deals that benefit the streaming platforms, limiting access to high-quality versions of their content.
In the end, streaming services control the market, offering compressed content while prices keep rising. It’s a system that leaves consumers paying more for less.
Setting Up a Home Media Server: Affordable, Easy, and High ROI
Setting up a home media server is now easier and more affordable than ever. For around €150, you can buy a second-hand i7 laptop with a GTX graphics card and pair it with TrueNAS, Plex or Jellyfin, and Radarr to create a powerful server.
A Netflix Premium subscription costs €227/year, but with your own server, you get top-tier, lossless video and audio quality for less than what you'd pay annually for Netflix. Add a €150 AV receiver and budget bookshelf speakers, and you’ll upgrade your home entertainment without breaking the bank.
This setup offers a major boost in both video and audio quality, delivering incredible value over time.
Supporting Creators: The Reality Behind Streaming Revenue
Many believe that by subscribing to services like Netflix and Spotify, they’re directly supporting creators. However, most of the revenue goes toward licensing fees, platform costs, and marketing, leaving creators with a small share. On Spotify, artists earn mere cents per stream, while Netflix’s licensing deals often provide less revenue than physical media or direct fan support.
To truly support creators, consider buying content directly or supporting platforms that give them a larger share of the revenue.
Conclusion
While streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime dominate the entertainment landscape, they continue to prioritize convenience and bandwidth efficiency over high-quality audio and video. Formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X can indeed offer lossless audio, but only when paired with the right codecs and hardware. If you’re serious about getting the best sound and picture, it’s time to look beyond streaming. By setting up a home media server with tools like Plex or Jellyfin, you can unlock the full potential of Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and other high-fidelity formats. Not only will this boost your entertainment experience, but it will also provide better value in the long run - while supporting creators directly, rather than letting streaming platforms dictate what you get for your money.
Senior Strategic Sales Leader, Bunny.net | Driving Growth in Streaming Media, OTT, and SaaS | Service Provider Partner in Business Expansion
1 个月While it's true that platforms prioritise cost efficiency, there's a huge opportunity to address these gaps with smarter delivery solutions. This is where companies like Bunny play a role.