Dolby Laboratories arrived at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas with a familiar goal, though approached in a slightly more refined way this year. The company focused on how people actually watch and listen at home and on the road, not just what looks impressive on a showroom floor. Across TVs, streaming apps, and cars, Dolby outlined updates designed to make images feel more natural and sound a bit closer to real life, even in less than ideal conditions.
What stood out, at least to me, was how practical many of these changes felt. Rather than dramatic reinventions, Dolby seems to be polishing the experience people already know, just smoothing out the parts that usually get in the way, like washed out sports broadcasts or dialogue that gets lost in background noise.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock becomes the first streaming service to use the full range of Dolby sound and picture tools.
- The new Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby AC-4 standards aim to deliver clearer images and more intelligible dialogue.
- LG launched the H7 soundbar, using FlexConnect to support up to 27 different speaker layouts.
- Over 35 car brands now support Dolby Atmos, including Mercedes-Benz and India’s Mahindra XUV 7XO.
- Pioneer introduced SPHERA, an add-on car display that brings high quality sound to older vehicles.
Peacock Brings Advanced Sports Streaming
Peacock and Dolby announced a partnership that pushes live sports streaming a step further. Peacock is now the first platform to support the complete lineup of Dolby technologies, including Dolby Atmos for audio and Dolby Vision for picture quality. Over the next few months, viewers will start noticing these enhancements during broadcasts of Sunday Night Football, as well as NBA and MLB games.
Later in the year, Peacock plans to roll out Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby AC-4. These newer standards are designed to tackle common viewing issues, such as overly dark scenes or muddy commentary during loud moments. In brighter rooms, where TVs often struggle, colors should remain more accurate and dialogue easier to follow. It is not a radical change, but for sports fans, even small improvements tend to matter more than people expect.
LG Sound Suite and Flexible Audio
LG Electronics used CES to introduce its new LG Sound Suite, a modular home audio system built around flexibility. The centerpiece is the H7 soundbar, notable for being the first to support Dolby Atmos FlexConnect. This feature removes the usual stress around speaker placement. Speakers can be positioned almost anywhere, and the system automatically adjusts audio output to match the room.
The Sound Suite includes the M7 and M5 speakers along with the W7 wireless subwoofer. Together, they allow users to create up to 27 different configurations. That number sounds almost excessive at first, but it does reflect how differently people set up their living spaces. LG also confirmed these capabilities will extend to its 2026 TV lineup, with select 2025 models receiving support through a future update.
New TVs with Dolby Vision 2
Several TV manufacturers confirmed plans to support Dolby Vision 2 in their 2026 models. This updated picture standard relies on a processing system called Content Intelligence, which analyzes scenes in real time. The idea is to preserve detail in darker scenes while keeping motion smooth during fast paced content.
Hisense plans to include Dolby Vision 2 in its 2026 RGB MiniLED TVs, including the UX and UR8 series. TCL will add support through updates for its X QD-Mini LED and C series sets. TP Vision also announced that upcoming Philips OLED models, such as the OLED951 and OLED811, will ship with Dolby Vision 2 built in. It feels like a coordinated push, which suggests this standard may become common faster than previous upgrades.
Better Sound for Every Car
Dolby’s presence in the automotive space continues to grow. More than 150 vehicle models now offer Dolby Atmos audio, with over 35 brands on board. Mercedes-Benz demonstrated Spatial Audio through Apple CarPlay in its new electric GLC, CLA, and GLB SUVs. Drivers can stream music from Apple Music with noticeably more depth and separation than standard car audio.
For drivers not ready to replace their vehicle, Pioneer introduced the SPHERA. This 10.1 inch touchscreen fits into older dashboards and costs 1,300 USD. It brings Dolby Atmos to cars with as few as four speakers, which is an interesting approach, even if it sounds ambitious at first. Dolby also announced ongoing collaboration with Qualcomm to integrate these technologies into the Snapdragon Automotive platform. According to Dolby, this reduces audio data requirements by up to 60 percent, making advanced sound easier for manufacturers to implement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the benefit of Dolby Vision 2?
A1: Dolby Vision 2 builds on standard HDR by using AI to adapt the picture to your viewing environment. It helps correct scenes that appear too dark and improves motion clarity, especially during fast action.
Q2: Can I get Dolby Atmos in my current car?
A2: Yes. The Pioneer SPHERA receiver allows many existing vehicles to support Dolby Atmos using their current speaker setups.
Q3: Which streaming apps support the new Dolby standards?
A3: Peacock is currently the first service to announce support for the full suite, including Dolby Vision 2 and AC-4. Netflix and Disney+ already use earlier versions of Dolby Vision and Atmos.
Q4: Does my TV need special hardware for these features?
A4: Yes. Dolby Vision 2 requires compatible hardware. Most premium 2026 TVs from Hisense, TCL, and Philips will include the necessary MediaTek Pentonic chips to support it.
