Don’t be surprised if Netflix sounds better the next time you run a program marathon on your Android phone. Netflix has updated its Android app to stream audio in xHE-AAC (Extended HE-AAC with MPEG-D DRC; yes, it’s a lot), promising “studio quality” sound that is also more consistent – meaning you should enjoy it in more places.
The new format offers a variable bit rate that can improve audio quality when your connection allows and decrease when you are on an unstable cell link. Volume management, in turn, prevents sudden volume changes (think of jumping from an action movie to silent drama) and compensates for noisy environments without the risk of cutting out loud sounds. You can listen through the phone’s speakers without straining to understand the dialogue.