Eclipsa Audio for YouTube sounds great, but 3D sound fails because…

In a previous article on IAMF, I already took a closer look at the new Immersive Audio Model and Format, also known as Eclipsa Audio. This technology was developed by Samsung and Google and offers 3D audio for an immersive sound experience. The 2025 TV and soundbar lineup will feature this new spatial audio technology. This format has the potential to revolutionize the immersive audio market by offering a flexible, innovative audio experience that is suitable for a wide range of applications and devices.

However, despite its promising approach, there are numerous challenges that could hinder market penetration and adoption of the format. In this article, I will explore these obstacles in more detail and highlight the reasons why Eclipsa Audio may struggle to compete against established standards such as Dolby Atmos.

Inadequate maturity of the technology

The IAMF (Eclipsa Audio) is still at an early stage of development. While the format undoubtedly offers exciting potential and functions, it still lacks essential fine adjustments and comprehensive optimization for actual requirements in real applications. One example of this is AI-based audio analysis, which enables dynamic adaptation of the sound. This technology allows creators to adjust audio data, manipulating elements such as sound location, intensity, and spatial reflections to create an immersive, three-dimensional sound experience. Additionally, Eclipsa Audio manages various elements of audio data to provide a competitive alternative to established formats like Dolby Atmos.

Potential and features, but lack of fine-tuning and optimization for real-world applications

Although the IAMF sounds promising, many of its functions are not yet sufficiently mature to be successfully integrated into the daily work of content creators and end users. There is plenty of potential. The new Audio Model and Formats (IAMF) offers innovative possibilities for immersive audio experiences, but the fine adjustments that would be necessary for real market maturity are still missing. The technology in its current form is often not user-friendly enough and could fail in its practical implementation.

Implementation issues for content creators and end users

For content creators looking for simple, powerful tools to create immersive audio experiences, the IAMF may be too complex and underdeveloped despite its potential. Many features that would be required for widespread use are still missing or not fully implemented, making it difficult to use. Upload videos with Eclipsa to streamline your content creation process. End users who want to experience the format across different devices may also be faced with immature technology that does not yet offer the stability or ease of use needed to meet expectations. Without a clear and mature solution, the IAMF may struggle to gain the widespread acceptance it needs to succeed in the market.

Lack of content and low quality of productions

A major problem that could prevent IAMF (Eclipsa Audio) from penetrating the market is the quality of the content produced. Many immersive audio formats – and IAMF is no exception – lag behind established systems such as Dolby Atmos in terms of consistent audio quality. To address this, a certification program has been developed through a collaboration between Samsung, Google, and the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) to ensure the highest standards of sound fidelity for Eclipsa Audio devices. Competition from established standards poses a significant challenge. Dolby Atmos has established itself as the standard due to its high audio quality and wide acceptance. It is supported by many studios, platforms and end devices and has been delivering first-class results for years. In comparison, IAMF has yet to demonstrate that it can deliver similar quality standards to provide a comparable user experience. Without this quality, users will struggle to see any real value in the new format.

The importance of high-quality content for the acceptance and use of the format

For the success of IAMF, it is crucial that high-quality content is integrated into the format. Samsung’s new soundbar models support this technology and offer an enhanced audio experience, including the upcoming feature of premium spatial audio. Content creators need simple tools to produce their work in an immersive audio format. If the format does not allow them to deliver first-class productions, user acceptance will be severely limited. Especially in the field of immersive audio, where the content is crucial to the user experience, a lack of quality leads to low adoption. It is not enough to simply offer the technical potential of a format – there must also be the ability to create content that appeals to the user emotionally and makes full use of the technology.

Advantage: Integration of Dolby Atmos content in the IAMF spatial audio format

One advantage of the IAMF is that, in principle, it is possible to integrate existing Dolby Atmos content in a channel-based format, similar to how the Eclipsa Audio format allows high-quality spatial audio experiences. This means that content creators do not have to start from scratch, but can simply integrate existing Dolby Atmos productions into the IAMF. This could ease the transition for many studios and producers already investing in Dolby Atmos, allowing them to seamlessly transition their work into the new format. This flexibility could allow IAMF to establish itself more quickly and appeal to a larger user base, as long as the quality of the productions is maintained.

Market fragmentation and unclear use case

A key problem for IAMF (Eclipsa Audio) is the difficulty of establishing a clear and convincing use case. While the format offers many theoretical advantages, such as flexibility of use on different devices and platforms, it remains unclear how it can benefit content creators and end users in practice. The challenge lies in positioning the format as the preferred solution for immersive audio experiences, while the market is already dominated by established standards such as Dolby Atmos, which offer a clear and functional use case. The latest developments and presentations of this technology were showcased at CES 2025, highlighting the role of the visual display business in integrating Eclipsa Audio into TV and soundbar lineups. Additionally, Samsung and Google are working closely with the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) to establish a certification program for devices using Eclipsa Audio, ensuring high audio quality and consistent playback standards.

Insecurities regarding the integration of the format on end-user devices

Another major obstacle is the integration of the format on end-user devices. IAMF needs to work smoothly on a variety of devices, including smartphones, smart TVs and audio hardware. Samsung’s new TV models, including the Neo QLED 8K, are equipped with this technology and offer an immersive sound experience. The uncertainty as to whether the format can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems could reduce user acceptance. Especially on smartphones and older devices, there could be technical hurdles in supporting and experiencing immersive audio content. Without simple and accessible integration, the format will struggle to reach a broad user base.

Possible difficulties in acceptance by content creators

Acceptance of a new format is crucial for content creators. Eclipsa Audio tracks, a new audio format set to be available on YouTube starting in 2025, could face similar challenges. If IAMF does not succeed in convincing this target group, it will be difficult to generate enough high-quality content to drive the format forward. Many content creators prefer established formats such as Dolby Atmos, which offer a clear way of working and broader platform support. Skepticism towards a new, immature format could lead to slow distribution and adoption, further limiting the growth of IAMF.

Acceptance issues and implementation difficulties

A significant factor for the acceptance of IAMF is the ability to effectively integrate the format on a variety of devices. Smartphones and smart TVs in particular are key end devices for immersive audio formats. Google has played a significant role in the development of this technology. The requirements for integration are high, as the format must not only function technically, but also offer a user-friendly experience. If IAMF is not supported on the most important devices, it will be difficult to reach broad user groups and increase acceptance. Additionally, advancements like Samsung’s Eclipsa Audio system, which enhances audio experiences by manipulating spatial reflections, are crucial for providing a more immersive three-dimensional sound experience.

Technological uncertainties in the handling of IAMF on Android and other platforms by the telecommunications technology association

Another problem is the uncertainty regarding the handling of IAMF on Android and other platforms. Android devices in particular are highly fragmented, which makes it difficult to integrate new technologies like the new spatial audio format. Many device manufacturers offer different implementations of audio standards, which could lead to problems with the consistent use of IAMF. If it is not possible to ensure a consistent user experience on a variety of devices, acceptance of the format by users and developers will be impaired.

Technological and integration problems

The technical implementation of IAMF poses challenges, particularly in the area of audio quality and tracking. Immersive audio requires precise control and accurate audio playback. Samsung’s new Eclipsa Audio technology, integrated into their 2025 lineup of TVs and soundbars, promises immersive three-dimensional sound experiences. Results may vary depending on the device. Incorrect implementation could lead to a diminished user experience, which in turn would jeopardize the acceptance of the format. Without a stable and high-quality implementation, IAMF could be perceived as unreliable.

Problems with the integration of the format on different platforms and devices

Another technical problem is the integration of the format on different platforms and devices. Users should be able to watch YouTube videos with premium spatial audio provided by the new Eclipsa Audio format. IAMF needs to be able to run on different operating systems and devices, which is a huge challenge for developers. If it is not possible to ensure easy and trouble-free use on a wide range of devices, the accessibility of the format will be severely limited.

Impact on the user experience in the event of improper implementation of consistent audio quality

The impact of improper implementation of IAMF on the user experience can be severe. To ensure consistent audio quality, it is crucial that the technology works correctly – for example, in terms of audio quality or head movement tracking – as the entire experience will be affected otherwise. A poorly implemented format could lead to user frustration, which in turn negatively impacts the brand perception of IAMF and hinders its long-term adoption.

Summary of the challenges facing IAMF

IAMF (Eclipsa Audio) faces several challenges, such as insufficient maturity of technology, lack of quality content and market fragmentation. There are also uncertainties regarding integration on end-user devices and problems with the technical implementation of audio quality and tracking, especially for YouTube videos.

Forecast: Can IAMF make the breakthrough or will it fail?

The success of IAMF depends on how well it can overcome these challenges. Starting in 2025, creators will have the ability to upload videos with Eclipsa Audio tracks to YouTube, which will enhance the audio experience for viewers using compatible Samsung devices. Samsung plays a central role in the further development of this technology. Without improvements in user-friendliness and acceptance by content creators, it will be difficult to compete with established formats such as Dolby Atmos. The potential is there, but the breakthrough is uncertain.

Outlook: Potential and opportunities for the future of the format

Despite the challenges, IAMF offers potential, particularly through the possibility of integrating Dolby Atmos content on a channel-by-channel basis. With the support of large companies in the visual display business, IAMF could play an important role in the field of immersive audio in the future, provided it is further optimized and more widely accepted. This technology offers a promising alternative to existing standards. If you want to know how to implement IAMF properly or learn more about the challenges and solutions in the field of immersive audio, drop me an email!