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DMC17
Contributor I
November 8, 2021

Dolby Atmos causing audio on Arc to "pop" then cuts out

I purchased a Sony KD85X91J in July equipped with eARC so I could listen to content from my Apple TV 4K in Dolby Atmos. The problem I have is whenever I play Atmos content (and ONLY Atmos content). Every so often the Arc has a quick popping sound followed by the Arc losing audio until I back out of the Atmos content I was watching. When I back out I can start the content again in Atmos and it will work for a while until the pop and audio cut out happens again. 

I have a 5.1 setup with the Arc, 2 One SL’s and a Gen 3 sub. The bass and surrounds still play audio after the cut out. Only the Arc is affected. 

The HDMI cables i am using are both rated to handle Atmos content. Link to the cables being used is below. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S1CGQ9Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Is there a fix for this issue? It’s very frustrating investing into a system that cannot deliver what it advertises and I’m hoping theres something I’m missing that will easily solve the issue. 

 

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82 replies

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Ken_Griffiths
Ken_Griffiths
December 23, 2021

Hello,

I have got a same issue. Even after update tvOS 15.3 first beta and Sonos to 13.4.1. Problem is still there.

Maybe try switching off the multi-channel LPCM option on ATV and just use the DD+ (Atmos) codec on the device instead - it should hopefully prevent the popping that you’re perhaps encountering occasionally from time to time. Not entirely sure if this is a Sonos/Apple issue, but maybe switch back to LPCM after each device firmware update, to see if the issue is resolved/eventually goes away.

bezlegracky
Lyricist III
December 23, 2021

 

I apologize for the inaccuracy.

I don't have a problem with the sound popping, but only with sound interruptions/outage. On Apple TV, you can only select the option "change format" to dolby digital 5.1 or stereo. If you change to DD 5.1, everything is fine. The problem is only with Atmos sound! I have to say that this problem started to show up only after updating tvOS 15.0 or 15.1 and for Sonos probably 13.3.2. Before that, everything worked without a problem.

    jamie_shaw
    jamie_shaw
    Enthusiast I
    December 23, 2021

    I’m not sure if there have been mitigations from Apple/Sonos on the issue but I’ve not had anymore dropouts recently, that said, there are still “pops” (more like cracks) in the audio tracks of Atmos content, but it no longer seems to drop the audio entirely.

    Not a complete fix, but in the right direction…

      bezlegracky
      Lyricist III
      December 23, 2021

      I will try to play some movies from native netflix app on my panasonic TV and I will see if the problem is on ATV or Sonos. 

      jamie_shaw
      jamie_shaw
      Enthusiast I
      December 23, 2021

      I will try to play some movies from native netflix app on my panasonic TV and I will see if the problem is on ATV or Sonos. 

      I definitely think it’s more Sonos — as I’ve said previously, it seems that the main culprits here are Apple TV and Xbox Series X — both of which use Dolby MAT as their audio format/container.

      Anthisacat
      Lyricist I
      December 24, 2021

      I just experienced this issue!  That pop was a shock!

      Apple TV 4K, 65” Sony X85J, Sonos Arc, Ones, Sub (Gen 3). 8k rated HDMI cables.  8k rated two in / one out HDMI switch.

      loud pop and audio cut out on Arc while watching the Witcher on Netflix in Atmos.

      switched back to the TV’s Netflix app and have no problems with Atmos.

        bezlegracky
        Lyricist III
        December 24, 2021

        I comfirm that!! TV´s netflix app have no problem with Atmos! So I think Apple TV is a winner. I will test netflix tv app with more movies and tv shows, but I think there will be no problem.

        jamie_shaw
        jamie_shaw
        Enthusiast I
        December 24, 2021

        I too confirm this – but it’s a different format. Bravia TVs output Atmos as Dolby Digital Plus.

        I've not had any issue with Atmos Blu-Rays playing through PS5 and passthrough (Dolby TrueHD)

        bezlegracky
        Lyricist III
        December 25, 2021

        My Panasonic HZ1000 output Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus.  As far as I know Apple, Apple will fix the mistake maybe in a year :D  I play movies mainly from Plex, so my ATV is set to DD 5.1 anyway. Mutichannel PCM 5.1 or 7.1 is uncompressed, but converting to DD5.1 will produce better sound quality results.

        gson
        Contributor I
        January 9, 2022

        Just had the issue watching Netflix on through a Roku Ultra on a LG CX TV.  Scared the hell out of me.  

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