'The Hobbit' Will Premiere With Dolby Atmos Sound

While Dolby Atmos just debuted last spring, it is about to be used for the anticipated premiere of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Nov. 28 at the Embassy Theater in Wellington, New Zealand. The movie will also debut in 3D at a high frame rate of 48 frames per second.

our editor recommends

Showeast 2012: Major Exhibitors Sign for High Frame-Rate 'Hobbit' Despite Format Challenges

'The Hobbit' to Receive Dolby Atmos Sound Mix

Warners Taking 'Prudent' Approach to 'The Hobbit's' 48fps Release

PHOTOS: 'The Hobbit': 17 New Posters Introduce Characters Going on 'An Unexpected Journey'

This is actually the second premiere for which Atmos has been used, the first being the June 18 premiere of Disney/Pixar’s Brave at the Dolby Theatre.

Atmos was designed to create an immersive sound experience by lining speakers along the theatre’s front, rear and side walls, as well as overhead.

The mix of The Hobbit is being created in an Atmos mixing environment at Jackson’s Park Road Post Production in Wellington, helmed by Oscar winners Christopher Boyes, Michael Hedges, and Michael Semanick (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King).

PHOTOS:  The Hard Road to 'The Hobbit' 

For next month's release of The Hobbit, 80-100 screens worldwide are expected to offer Dolby's new format.

In total, six Hollywood features will have be released in Atmos by the end of the year. At least 15 are expected in 2013.