Netflix audio is not even CD quality audio playback!

[Don C]

https://www.fastcompany.com/9034271...y-for-surround-sound-users?partner=feedburner

Netflix and other streaming services have worse than CD quality sound.

I guess most people have mediocre sound bar playback audio for home theater, and I understand they could care less, or are unaware of better sound quality.

Most Blu-ray audio is high rez ( better than CD quality).

And DVD audio quality can be CD quality.

When will steaming services realize that some home theater systems have expensive sound playback?

I feel that there is still a need for physical disc play back in home theater if you care about sound quality.

Some steaming sites like Tidal, Berlin Philharmonic, Met Opera, Radio Paradise,Vimeo, and others have at least CD quality playback.

 

[NorthStar]

"For users with Dolby Digital 5.1 systems, Netflix will now stream audio at up to 640 kbps, versus 192 kbps previously, and Dolby Atmos users will get bitrates up to 768 kbps."

Still, it's a small step towards "mankind" (right audio direction).
Before movie picture and sound streaming equal or better Blu-ray 4K (and 3D) discs that'll be the day. But then it doesn't cost $30-35 per each film (4K Blu new releases).

640 and 768 kbps (premium Atmos) is not bad for compression overall.
Premium Netflix (4 x 4K streams) is $15.99 per month. For that you get one 4K Blu-ray movie @ discount...Alien 4K (no Dolby Atmos).

It's all very relative; what counts is the use you make of it, the films/documentaries/shows inventory you like.

Ten years from now Streaming will rule supreme, with faster speed, more data, 5G fully developed, fiber optic expanded. A lot of people don't feel shortchanged by streaming 4K content.
Sound is secondary for the majority.

Me, I like the documentaires best...and if I like them I buy them on 4K Blu-ray if available, if not on regular 3D or 2D 1080p Blu. Netflix is a testing ground for me; a guide to help me out picking the Blu-ray discs (4K or 2K) that I want to purchase for adding to my documentaries library.
...And of course the series I like. It's like HBO.

Slowly Criterion Collection streaming channel will be adding more film titles to their inventory:
https://www.criterionchannel.com/

And Disney+ streaming channel is coming up this Fall:
https://www.techradar.com/news/disn...eys-all-inclusive-streaming-package-explained

The more streaming channels the better (more choices), and the prices will go up (they always do). Slowly the bit rates will go up to (it's part of the game...just like 8K streaming).

* You cannot stream analog vinyl and tape from the Internet, only digital. That's the biggest limitation we are living in in the year 2019 and beyond.
But then, with digital we get surround sound, and now Dolby Atmos on Netflix.

Yes we stream uncompressed hires stereo PCM music.
For multichannel music and movies we'll get there; it's just a question of when.

** Netflix chart:
https://www.vox.com/2019/1/16/18185...subscription-chart-original-content-streaming

*** Netflix vs Disney+
https://www.techradar.com/amp/news/disney-plus-vs-netflix-who-will-win