Paramount+: Premium subscription still lacks Dolby Atmos sound
Paramount+'s premium version, promising 3D sound and 4K/HDR, is bookable now, but the features aren't available yet.
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On Wednesday, Paramount+ implemented the long-awaited restructuring of its tariff model. In addition to the standard subscription (for €7.99 per month), the streaming service now also offers a premium subscription (for €12.99 per month). The latter enables users to access selected content in 4K/Dolby Vision, which worked perfectly in an initial test via external players such as the Apple TV 4K and the Fire TV Cube. It also works via an LG OLED TV, for example. Although the TV app on the TV does not yet list the Dolby Vision logo on the information pages for the corresponding videos.
Furthermore, selected titles such as the series "Yellowjackets" and "Halo" should also sound with 3D sound in Dolby Atmos format on corresponding systems for premium customers. However, according to c't tests, this is not yet the case. The above-mentioned playback devices currently only provide the original English sound with 5.1 channels at best and the German dubbed version only in stereo.
When asked, the German press agency of Paramount+ apologized for the error and stated that it would be rectified as soon as possible. They did not say when Dolby Atmos sound would be available.
More advertising?
Paramount+ has announced that it will offer a discounted entry-level subscription with advertising from the summer. However, the service reserves the right to play "trailers and advertisements for current and upcoming content" before and after the actual content for its standard and premium subscriptions. Other video streaming services, such as Apple TV+ or Disney+, also do this. In practice, however, Paramount+ has not yet shown any advertising in the higher subscription levels when tested by heise online.
Another criticism relates to the fact that Paramount+ does not clearly communicate its new tariff structure on its homepage. For example, you only find out that there is a more expensive premium subscription when you register, while initially only a general subscription at a price "from 7.99 euros" is advertised.
Finally, the test revealed that the logos for 4K, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos are also displayed in the information on films and series for users who have only taken out a standard subscription. When starting the titles in question, they then notice that they are only provided with a full HD picture with SDR and 5.1 sound or stereo sound. (nij)
