Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool

Release Notes

6 July 2023
Software v2.1.2
 Notices

Notices

Copyright
© 2015-2023 Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved.

Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

1275 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103-1410 USA
Telephone 415-558-0200
Fax 415-645-4000
http://www.dolby.com

Trademarks
Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
The following are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories:

Dialogue Intelligence™ Dolby Theatre®

Dolby® Dolby Vision®
Dolby Advanced Audio™ Dolby Vision IQ™
Dolby Atmos® Dolby Voice®
Dolby Audio™ Feel Every Dimension™
Dolby Cinema® Feel Every Dimension in Dolby™
Dolby Digital Plus™ Feel Every Dimension in Dolby Atmos™
Dolby Digital Plus Advanced Audio™ MLP Lossless™
Dolby Digital Plus Home Theater™ Pro Logic®
Dolby Home Theater® Surround EX™
All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 2

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 Contents

Contents
1 Introduction to the release notes............................................................................................................... 4
1.1 About this documentation.................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Contacting Dolby................................................................................................................................... 5

2 New in version 2.1.2.....................................................................................................................................6

3 New in previous versions............................................................................................................................ 7

3.1 New in v2.1.............................................................................................................................................8
3.2 New in v2.0.1..........................................................................................................................................10
3.3 New in v2.0.............................................................................................................................................10
3.4 New in v1.9.............................................................................................................................................12
3.5 New in v1.8.............................................................................................................................................12
3.6 New in version 1.7.3...............................................................................................................................13

4 Known issues............................................................................................................................................... 14

Glossary....................................................................................................................................................... 15

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 3

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 Introduction to the release notes

Introduction to the release notes

1
This documentation covers installation steps, software changes, and known issues for Dolby Atmos
Conversion Tool version 2.1.2.

• About this documentation

• Contacting Dolby

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 4

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 About this documentation

1.1 About this documentation

This documentation is for engineers, and others who work with Dolby Atmos content for cinema or home
theater. Use the conversion tool to convert one Dolby Atmos master file format to another, edit or join
masters as a composition, or perform other tool operations (such as applying frame-rate conversion to a
Dolby Atmos master file).
For complete information, see the Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Guide .

1.2 Contacting Dolby

You can contact Dolby regarding this product and its supporting documentation.
If you have technical questions about this product, consult the knowledge base at https://
professionalsupport.dolby.com.
If you have questions or comments about this documentation, please send an email to
[email protected].

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 5

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 New in version 2.1.2

New in version 2.1.2

2
Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool v2.1.2 fixes an issue.
Fixed: In the Composition window, after trimming a master that has a start time or FFOA that does not
fall on a whole second (that is, the frame value is not 00), the resultant conversion could have a start
time or FFOA that did not match the settings after the trim. [AWT-5385]

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 6

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 New in previous versions

New in previous versions

3
This version of Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool includes new features, improvements, and fixes that were
included with previous versions.

• New in v2.1
• New in v2.0.1
• New in v2.0
• New in v1.9
• New in v1.8
• New in version 1.7.3

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 7

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 New in previous versions

3.1 New in v2.1

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool v2.1 includes new features and improvements.

System updates
• New application icon

Figure 1: Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool icon

• Updated list of supported operating systems:

• Linux (Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool command-line application only):
• RedHat 7.3
• Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, 18.04 LTS, and 20.04 LTS
• Mac: macOS 10.13 to 13.2.1 (including support of Apple silicon computers)
• Windows
• Windows 10 (64-bit)
• Window 11 (64-bit)

Conversion and composition updates

• Sample rate drop-down menu: For a conversion or composition, this menu sets the target sample rate.
• Maintain pitch and length switch: When doing a conversion or composition and changing the target
frame rate, click (enable) the switch so that it displays Yes to maintain pitch and length in the target
master. This switch is grayed out when outputting to the same frame rate.
• Addition of two new Dolby Atmos IMF IAB .mxf metadata fields to support automated pipeline processes
used by some studios when converting from an ADM BWF .wav or .atmos master to an IMF IAB. The
new fields are IAB AudioDescription and IAB AudioDescriptionText. These fields align with SMPTE ST
377-41:2021, MXF Multichannel Audio Controlled Vocabulary .
These metadata fields are always included with a conversion in the Conversion window. In a composition
containing masters with the same channel layout and the same group description strings, the group
labels will also be written. For more information, see Conversions to IMF IAB and group labels , in the
Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Guide .

Conversion only updates

• Support for these 96 kHz conversions (in the Conversion or Composition window):
• 96 kHz ADM BWF .wav to 48 kHz ADM BWF .wav, IMF IAB .mxf, or .atmos master
• 96 kHz ADM BWF .wav to 96 kHz ADM BWF .wav (for example, for a frame rate conversion)
• 96 kHz .atmos to 96 kHz ADM BWF .wav

Composition only updates

• Ability to edit or join 96 kHz ADM BWF .wav or .atmos master files in the Composition window. Editing
includes inserting silence before or after a clip, trimming a clip, and splitting a clip.
Note: For 96 kHz compositions, the output can be any of these formats:
• ADM BWF .wav at 96 kHz or 48 kHz
• .atmos at 48 kHz
• IMF IAB .mxf at 48 kHz

Command-line updates

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 8

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 New in v2.1

• Convert a 96 kHz master (via the --target_sample_rate command-line option). These conversions are
supported:
• 96 kHz ADM BWF .wav to 48 kHz ADM BWF .wav, IMF IAB .mxf, or .atmos master
• 96 kHz ADM BWF .wav to 96 kHz ADM BWF .wav
• 96 kHz .atmos to 96 kHz ADM BWF .wav
Note: The default target is 48 kHz.

• Maintain pitch and length in the target master (via the --bypass_resampling command-line option),
when doing a conversion or composition and changing the input frame rate.
Note: Drop frame rates are not supported.

• Specify the 5.1 and 5.1.x downmix settings written to the master (via the --set_warp_mode command-line
option). These modes are supported:
• Standard (Lo/Ro)
• Dolby Pro Logix IIx
• Direct render with room balance
• Direct render
Note: For more information about each mode, see the Dolby Atmos Conversion Tools Guide .

• Add a specified number of samples when inserting silence before or after a clip (via the --prepend_
silence and --append_silence command-line options, respectively)
• Add a specified number of samples when trimming a clip (via the trim_start and --trim_duration
command-line options).

Table 1: Command-line options for editing workflows

Options Shortcut Description

--bypass_resampling Disables resampling of the audio

content during a frame rate
conversion (resampling only
happens for sample rate conversions
if needed).
--target_sample_rate arg Specifies the sample rate in Hz of the
(=48000) target master, valid options are:
48000 or 96000.
Valid sample rate conversions:
• 48000 All formats -> 48000 All
formats
• 96000 .atmos, ADM BWF ->
48000 .atmos, ADM BWF, IMF IAB
• 96000 .atmos, ADM BWF ->
96000 ADM BWF

--set_warp_mode arg Specifies the warp mode for the

target master. Valid options:
• downmix_loro, Standard (Lo/Ro)
• downmix_pliix, Dolby Pro Logix
IIx
• warping, Direct render with room
balance
• normal, Direct render

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 9

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 New in previous versions

Table 1: Command-line options for editing workflows (continued)

Options Shortcut Description

--trim_start arg (=0) Trims n seconds from the beginning

of the input master. Applied before
prepending or appending silence.

--trim_duration arg (=0) Trims input master to n seconds after

the defined start. Applied before
prepending or appending silence.

--prepend_silence arg (=0) Prepends n seconds of audio silence

to the beginning of the input master.

--append_silence arg (=0) Appends n seconds of audio silence

to the end of the input master.

3.2 New in v2.0.1

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool v2.0.1 allows users to change the frame rate of a Dolby Atmos master file
without changing the length or pitch of the file via the command line interface.

3.3 New in v2.0

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool v2.0 includes new features and improvements, including a new graphical user
interface (GUI) that supports editing, joining, and converting masters.

System and installation updates

• Support on macOS Catalina (version 10.15.x)
• New application icon

New conversion and new composition workflows

The Conversion Tool supports two primary types of workflows, which you access from the Conversion Tool
home window.
New conversion
Create a new conversion to convert the format, frame rate, first frame of action (FFOA), or primary
language (Interoperable Master Format (IMF) immersive audio bitstream (IAB) only) of a master.
You perform conversions in the Conversion window.
You can perform changes to the format, frame rate, FFOA, or primary language (IMF IAB only)
simultaneously or separately.
The length of a master file opened in the Conversion window is not altered if the master file starts and
ends on non-frame boundaries.
Note: Alternatively, you can create a new composition to perform a conversion in the
Composition window.

New composition
Create a new composition to edit, join, or convert one or more master files in the composition timeline.
Editing and joining masters are new features in the GUI.
You perform compositions in the Composition window.
You can perform changes to the format, start time, frame rate, FFOA, or primary language (IMF IAB only)
simultaneously or separately.

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 10

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 New in v2.0

When a file that starts or ends on subframe boundaries is imported into the Composition window, it is
extended with silence to the next frame boundary in either direction so that no underlying content is
trimmed. This is indicated by green lines at the start and/or end of each clip.

Menus and submenus focused on workflows

The Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool GUI now provides menus and submenus for managing and performing
conversion tasks. The available menus are dependent on the current window (home window, Conversion
window, or Composition window). The tool includes keyboard shortcuts for many menu commands.

Workflow features for a new conversion or new composition

This version includes features that apply to performing a new conversion or composition:
• Clicking in the empty, dotted area in the Conversion or Composition window opens the file browser,
where you can import a master.
• The metadata view displays detailed information about the master.
• The application includes copy and paste support of timecode values.
• The FFOA of the converted master can be excluded (set to Not included). This feature is supported by the
Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool GUI and command-line interface (CLI).
• The FFOA is now rounded to the nearest frame boundary if on a subframe.
• The last used import and save location are remembered when you close the Conversion Tool or use
another function. This helps to speed up workflows when using the same import and save locations.
• When the target format is .atmos, .wav (ADM BWF), or .mxf (IMF IAB), the output file name for a
conversion uses the source file name by default (Mac only).

Workflow features for a new composition only

This version includes features that apply to performing a new composition only:
• Joining and editing masters
• Setting the primary master in the GUI determines which master program-level metadata will be used
when multiple masters are joined together.
• Trimming a master
• Splitting a master
• Adding silence to a master
• Zooming view options for how one or more masters display in the timeline
• Advanced metadata view, which provides detailed information about a master file or clip in the timeline.
Additionally, the view can display the length of a silence clip.

Miscellaneous updates and fixes

Command-line improvements: The FFOA of the converted master can be excluded (set to not included). This
feature is supported by the GUI and CLI.
Note: The CLI no longer adds an FFOA by default if it has been undefined in the source master.

New .xml (pmstitch) file examples and location

Example .xml (pmstitch) files have been updated to better represent real-world workflow scenarios and
needs. Example files (and supporting media) are now available online, instead of being included with
installation.
You can find examples and a link to supporting media files online at https://
professionalsupport.dolby.com/s/article/Where-can-I-find-more-examples-of-pmstitch-xml-files.
Dolby provides .xml (pmstitch) file examples for use when creating a new .xml configuration file for
padding (adding silence) a master, joining masters, or trimming a master. With the CLI, the examples can also
be used to create .xml files for other tool operations (such as converting the master file format).

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 11

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 New in previous versions

3.4 New in v1.9

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool v1.9 includes new features and improvements.
• Support for IMF IAB .mxf masters in the Conversion Tool user interface (UI) and command-line options.
Includes the ability to:
• Convert to an .mxf (IMF IAB) master from another Dolby Atmos master format.
• Convert from an .mxf (IMF IAB) master to another Dolby Atmos master format.
• Change the frame rate of a master during a conversion to or from an .mxf (IMF IAB). When converting
to an IMF, the FFOA is not included.
The IMF IAB format supports these frame rates: 23.976, 24, 25, and 30 fps.
• When converting to an IMF IAB, the Conversion Tool includes an option to set the primary language.
• .xml (pmstitch) support for .mxf (IMF IAB) files.
Additionally, this publication of the guide provides more information regarding .dbmd metadata file
parameters.

3.5 New in v1.8

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool v1.8 includes new features and improvements.
• Support for converting from a 96 kHz .atmos master file set.
• Updates to audio definition model Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) (.wav) master files to conform to
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) BS.2076-0.
• Support of non-English master file names.
• Improvements to frame-rate conversion ratios when the difference between the source and target frame
rates is larger (for example, when converting from a source frame rate of 25 fps to a target frame rate of
23.976 fps).
• Support for Binaural render mode metadata, which is designed for use when content is being encoded as
Dolby AC-4 immersive stereo.
• Support for Trim metadata, which is designed to provide better control of 5.1 and 7.1 encodes when
Dolby Atmos content is rendered in a 5.1 or 7.1 playback environment.
• Changes to .xml (pmstitch):
• primary=”true” attribute in the source element sets which source master of a stitch workflow
defines the metadata values to be used for all masters (for example, when stitching together masters
that have different program-level metadata, such as .dbmd parameters).
• <start> and <end> now called <outputStart> and <outputEnd>, respectively, to better
describe their function.
Note: <start> and <end> are still supported. Older .xml (pmstitch) files do not need to be
updated.

• Ability to trim the beginning and end of a Dolby Atmos master via an .xml (pmstitch) and change the
frame rate during the same conversion.
• Updates to Dolby Digital Plus segment parameters and values in a .dbmd metadata file: program_id
removed.
• Command-line options removed from the Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool command-line application:
• --dump_bwav_chunks
• -flatten

Note: When joining masters that have different bed widths, the beds are flattened into a single
9.1 bed.

• --force_write_current_damf_version
• --log_config arg

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 12

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 New in version 1.7.3

• --printmasterkeypath arg
• Mac installer now installs the command-line application.

3.6 New in version 1.7.3

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool v1.7.3 includes new features and improvements.
• Ability to trim or pad the beginning and end of a Dolby Atmos master via an .xml (pmstitch) file.
• Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool command-line application and options to perform tool operations on
Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems.
• Fixed issue: Running a conversion with an .xml (pmstitch) file that stitches two masters with different
input configurations no longer results in a master in which there are audio gaps in the bed and object
audio channels prior to the stitch sample point.

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 13

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 Known issues

Known issues
4
Before you install or use the new software in this release, we recommend that you review known
issues, along with the respective workarounds, comments, and solutions.
• When converting a large master file, Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool will not warn the user when the
destination drive does not contain enough available space, and will allow the user to begin the
conversion. As a workaround, verify that the available space on the destination drive is larger than
the source file by at least 50% before beginning the conversion. For example, if your source file is
100 GB, the destination drive should have at least 150 GB available space. [AWT-394]
• When importing an IMF IAB file with an invalid primary language, the primary language is set to
English and no warning is shown. [AWT-3226]
• When displaying duration or end timecode values that are on non-frame boundaries, the subframe
division in the timecode may be incorrect because it is calculated inconsistently. [AWT-5123]
• When converting to .mxf (IMF IAB) in a composition that crosses the midnight boundary, you may
experience multiple error messages. Crossing the midnight boundary is not supported. As a
workaround, set an earlier start time, or shorten the composition duration. [AWT-2922]
• On macOS, quitting the Conversion Tool application with the Dock right-click Quit command while
an .rpl file is importing can result in a crash. To avoid this issue, do not quit from the Dock when
an .rpl import is in progress. [AWT-3225]
• Opening an .xml (pmstitch) file clears any master files in the master files list. If clips also exist
on the timeline, you will be prompted with a warning message. However, no warning is displayed if
there are master files in the master files list and no clips in the timeline. [AWT-3133]
• When working with an .xml (pmstitch) file that has multiple .atmos files, the .atmos file that
is the primary source master does not define the binaural metadata for all .atmos files as
expected. When converting from an .xml (pmstitch) to an audio definition model BWF file,
binaural metadata from the first .atmos file is used and binaural metadata in subsequent .atmos
masters is lost. When converting from an .xml (pmstitch) to .atmos, binaural metadata for
each .atmos file is retained. [AWT-1913]
• When working on a Conversion Tool composition on Windows, you cannot open an .xml
(pmstitch) file that contains international characters. [AWT-5350]

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 14

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 Glossary

Glossary
A/V
Audio/video.
ADM BWF
Audio Definition Model Broadcast Wave Format.
audio definition model
A metadata model specified in ITU-R BS.2076 that describes the content and format of audio files.
BWF
Broadcast Wave Format. An extension of the Microsoft Waveform Audio File Format (.wav) that includes
metadata important to broadcast applications. This format is specified in EBU Tech 3285.
CLI
Command-line interface.
DCP
Digital Cinema Package. A packing list (PKL) file and all of the files that it references.
Dolby RMU
Dolby Rendering and Mastering Unit.
FFOA
First frame of action. The point on a film reel or corresponding file at which the program content begins.
fps
Frames per second. Measurement unit of frame rate.
frame rate
The number of frames decoded per second in real-time operation.
GUI
Graphical user interface.
IAB
Immersive audio bitstream. A frame-based audio bitstream that includes audio channels and/or audio
objects, plus metadata.
IMF
Interoperable Master Format. A SMPTE standard that defines an interoperable, file-based framework
designed to facilitate the management and processing of multiple versions of the same high-quality
finished work. See SMPTE ST 2067-2 and related documentation.
immersive stereo
A technology that delivers a virtualized immersive experience to headphones or stereo speakers through
a Dolby AC‑4 bitstream with appropriate stereo content and metadata that converts the stereo signal
into the virtualized experience.
MXF
Material Exchange Format. A file format used to transfer and store different types of content (for
example, audio, video, data, or metadata). MXF currently supports various compression and encoding
formats, and its specification can be extended to new essence formats, if needed.
object
An audio signal plus associated object audio metadata.
rendering
Processing of audio content to adapt it to specific speaker layouts, such as 5.1‑ and 7.1‑speaker feeds, or
headphones and sound bars.

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 15

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 Glossary

SMPTE
Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.
UI
User interface.

Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool Release Notes 16

Software v2.1.2 6 July 2023
 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. 1275 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1410 USA.
© 2015-2023 Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved. Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby

Laboratories.
All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.