The ad-supported tier for Prime Video, a.k.a. regular subscribers who had no choice because of Amazon's change, is getting another downgrade again as the company removed the Dolby Atmos and Vision features. And the only way to get these renowned features back for their experiences is to pay the additional monthly charge which would also remove ads on their streaming.
For now, users have three choices only, and it is to continue being in the regular (now ad-supported tier), opt for the ad-free to get the Dolby features, or leave Prime Video for good.
Amazon Prime Video Removes Dolby Atmos, Vision for All
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Germany's 4K Filme first reported the change last Sunday, regarding the regular Prime Video subscription no longer offering Dolby Atmos and Vision on their streaming experience. Users who are on the ad tier may only access the HDR10+ and the Dolby Digital 5.1, and while both are excellent media output for streaming, there is still a distinction for Dolby's renowned tech.
The publication claimed that this was no longer available on Sony and LG smart TVs, and according to Forbes, it was also no longer available via a TCL TV.
Ars Technica reported that this feature removal may mean that Amazon is cutting back on the licensing fees to pay Dolby Laboratories for the Atmos and Vision features. Moreover, Amazon is pushing for HDR10 to be its new top standard.
These downgrades for the ad-supported tier remain unacknowledged by Amazon, and it is unknown if this will still return in the future. However, for those who cannot wait for that, there is an option to get Dolby's Atmos and Vision features back, and it is through paying for the extra subscription available in its new rates, with Prime Video's ad-free offer for an additional $2.99 per month.
Amazon Prime Video and What it Offers
One of the top streaming platforms in the world is Amazon's Prime Video, and it joins the likes of Netflix, Disney+, Max, Hulu, and more in offering on-demand shows or weekly episodes for streaming.
The company also had a massive upgrade two years ago with its significant MGM acquisition amounting to a whopping $8.45 billion deal, with the Bond franchise and more joining Amazon.
Moreover, the company also looked into ad-supported streaming like its competitors who offer a more affordable tier with a small sacrifice of short ads to play before movies or every few episodes. However, when Amazon changed that earlier this year, it was not what people thought it would be as it brought ads to those in Premium, now asking them to pay more instead of opting to offer a cheaper subscription rate.
Now, the list of features getting stripped down for the regular subscription after getting ads is seeing two renowned Dolby features removed from the platform. For those who are enjoying their streams with Dolby Atmos and Vision, you can still have it, but it comes with a catch as users need to pay an extra $3 monthly to get these technologies, alongside the ad-free experience.
