Tech Desk 
Jan 04, 2025
Samsung and Google are poised to set a new benchmark in the audio industry with the introduction of Eclipsa Audio. This latest format will enable 3D audio experiences on selected YouTube videos, anticipated to roll out by the end of the year.
Support for Eclipsa Audio will be available across Samsung’s 2025 lineup of TVs and soundbars, offering users an immersive audio experience.
Over the years, the South Korean tech giant has notably refrained from adopting Dolby Vision HDR for dynamic HDR metadata, instead championing its proprietary HDR10 Plus as a great alternative.
Reportedly, it is going to make another significant move by pioneering an open-source 3D audio format with Google.
Eclipsa Audio may ultimately serve as a cost-free alternative to Dolby Atmos. According to Samsung, the Eclipsa format will offer features similar to Dolby Atmos, supporting adjustments to audio parameters such as sound location and spatial reflections to deliver an acoustic 3D audio experience.
The progressive collaboration between Samsung and Google to develop this new audio format began in 2023, under a project initially called Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF).
Samsung's head of spatial audio, WooHyun Nam, stated; "format would provide a comprehensive open-source framework for 3D audio, spanning creation, delivery, and playback."
The IAMF specification has already been adopted by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia), an influential group advocating royalty-free codec support since 2015.
AOMedia's members include leading players including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Netflix, alongside Samsung and Google. The adoption of Eclipsa Audio within AOMedia is expected to accelerate its industry acceptance, although, as seen with the AV1 video codec, widespread adoption can take time.
Additionally, Samsung and Google are collaborating with the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) to establish a certification program using the format. This process is similar to how Dolby and THX manage certifications for their respective audio and visual standards.
With CES 2025 over the horizon, users are anticipating further announcements regarding Eclipsa Audio and its potential impact on the tech ecosystem.
