GoKawiilDolby clarifies distinctions between Digital 5.1, Digital Plus and Atmos formats
Dolby Digital Plus, or E-AC-3, is a lossy audio codec that can support up to 7.1 channels, but it can also carry standard 5.1 audio, meaning its presence doesn't guarantee extra surround channels. It was built specifically for streaming and downloadable content, which is why services like Netflix rely on it, and it can also serve as a delivery method for Dolby Atmos object-based audio.