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No Dolby Atmos from Apple TV 4k. Roku and LG TV apps show Atmos

  • May 27, 2021
  • 11 replies
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G

Just bought an Arc and set it up. I was disappointed to see that I was only getting Dolby Digital (not plus) from my new Apple TV 4k (the new model) on iTunes movies with Dolby Atmos. When I switched to my Roku, the same movie showed Dolby Atmos on the app on my phone. The same happened when I switched to the Apple TV app on my LG. So, it’s just the Apple TV 4K that won’t give me Dolby Atmos. The “immersive audio” setting isn’t even present in the Apple TV settings.

 

It’s not the HDMI cable. It’s new and capable of 18gbps and I swapped it to the Roku to test and was still getting Dolby Atmos from the Roku. This seems like it’s specific to the Apple TV. My TV model is the LG UK6570.

 

I guess my question is: Is the sound I’m getting through the Roku really Dolby Atmos? The app says it is, but if I can’t get it through the Apple TV, then either the Apple TV has an issue or the app is lying and I’m not getting it at all. I’d hate to have to use my Roku or my TV apps just to watch movies to get the best sound.

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11 replies

G

Unfortunately your TV isn’t equipped with HDMI eARC so you will not be able to get Dolby Atmos audio from the Apple TV 4K.

What model Roku do you have? And what are the audio settings on the Roku currently set to?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
G
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  • Contributor I
  • May 27, 2021

Unfortunately your TV isn’t equipped with HDMI eARC so you will not be able to get Dolby Atmos audio from the Apple TV 4K.

What model Roku do you have? And what are the audio settings on the Roku currently set to?

It’s the Roku Ultra from 2020. I’m pretty sure it’s set to “auto”.

G

The reason why I ask is because sometimes with the Auto setting, the Roku will just convert the audio to the best format supported by the Arc which is Dolby Atmos, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you are truly getting Dolby Atmos.

When you stream a Dolby Atmos movie on Netflix or Disney+, in the Sonos app, if you go to Settings > System > About My System and scroll down to the Arc info, after “Audio In:” does it say “Dolby Atmos (DD+)” or just “Dolby Atmos”? What does it say when you stream something that isn’t in Dolby Atmos?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
G
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  • Contributor I
  • May 27, 2021

The reason why I ask is because sometimes with the Auto setting, the Roku will just convert the audio to the best format supported by the Arc which is Dolby Atmos, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you are truly getting Dolby Atmos.

When you stream a Dolby Atmos movie on Netflix or Disney+, in the Sonos app, if you go to Settings > System > About My System and scroll down to the Arc info, after “Audio In:” does it say “Dolby Atmos (DD+)” or just “Dolby Atmos”? What does it say when you stream something that isn’t in Dolby Atmos?

I’ll have to test it later tonight and get back to you. That’s very interesting, though. I never thought to look there. I was just looking on the main screen where it said what was playing. That’s where it said “Dolby Atmos” when I was playing a supported movie on the Roku and my LG TV. 

So the ONLY way to get true Dolby Atmos is to buy a new TV? That seems like something that should have been made more clear in the promotional materials. My TV isn’t even that old. It just doesn’t have eARC.

I’ll report back tomorrow. Thanks.

G

If you want Dolby Atmos from the Apple TV 4K or from a Blu-ray player that supports lossless Dolby TrueHD/Dolby Atmos or multichannel LPCM, you either need to get a new TV with eARC or you can get the HDFury Arcana.

https://hdfury.com/product/4k-arcana-18gbps/

The Arcana allows any external media device to bypass your TV’s limitations and send the audio directly to the Arc. I use the Arcana because my 2013 Panasonic plasma is only equipped with HDMI ARC and all I could get was stereo PCM audio. Now with the Arcana, I can get Dolby Atmos from my Apple TV 4K, Roku Ultra (2018 model), and Panasonic UHD player.

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
G
  • Gravage
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • May 27, 2021

If you want Dolby Atmos from the Apple TV 4K or from a Blu-ray player that supports lossless Dolby TrueHD/Dolby Atmos or multichannel LPCM, you either need to get a new TV with eARC or you can get the HDFury Arcana.

https://hdfury.com/product/4k-arcana-18gbps/

The Arcana allows any external media device to bypass your TV’s limitations and send the audio directly to the Arc. I use the Arcana because my 2013 Panasonic plasma is only equipped with HDMI ARC and all I could get was stereo PCM audio. Now with the Arcana, I can get Dolby Atmos from my Apple TV 4K, Roku Ultra (2018 model), and Panasonic UHD player.

Yeah, I looked at one of those. But for another $300 and then an HDMI switch, I’d almost just rather buy a new TV. I’m still trying to determine if the sound improvement from the Sonos ARC alone is worth keeping it, as it doesn’t seem like I’m going to get the full benefit unless I replace a 2-year-old TV and/or buy some extra gear.

G
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  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • May 27, 2021

The reason why I ask is because sometimes with the Auto setting, the Roku will just convert the audio to the best format supported by the Arc which is Dolby Atmos, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you are truly getting Dolby Atmos.

When you stream a Dolby Atmos movie on Netflix or Disney+, in the Sonos app, if you go to Settings > System > About My System and scroll down to the Arc info, after “Audio In:” does it say “Dolby Atmos (DD+)” or just “Dolby Atmos”? What does it say when you stream something that isn’t in Dolby Atmos?

 

Okay, I just tested this (because I’m impatient). 

In System > about System > Arc info 

My LG Tv showed as “Dolby Atmos (DD+)”

My Roku Ultra showed as “Dolby Atmos (DD+)”

Apple TV 4K Showed as “Dolby Digital 5.1”.

 

I’m sure I’m not getting true Atmos from the Roku and LG TV, but it is noticeably better than the Apple TV. I just wonder why it’s interpreting it that way.

G

If the Sonos app is saying “Dolby Atmos (DD+)” I believe you are getting true Dolby Atmos audio via Dolby Digital Plus from your LG and Roku.

What does the app say from a non-Atmos source on the Roku?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
G
  • Gravage
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • May 27, 2021

If the Sonos app is saying “Dolby Atmos (DD+)” I believe you are getting true Dolby Atmos audio via Dolby Digital Plus from your LG and Roku.

What does the app say from a non-Atmos source on the Roku?

Testing “Army of the Dead” and “Sabotage” on Netflix, both show “Dolby Digital Plus 5.1”.

G

If the Sonos app is saying “Dolby Atmos (DD+)” I believe you are getting true Dolby Atmos audio via Dolby Digital Plus from your LG and Roku.

What does the app say from a non-Atmos source on the Roku?

Testing “Army of the Dead” and “Sabotage” on Netflix, both show “Dolby Digital Plus 5.1”.

You are good. The Roku and LG are giving you true Dolby Atmos audio via Dolby Digital Plus.

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
G
  • Gravage
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • May 27, 2021

If the Sonos app is saying “Dolby Atmos (DD+)” I believe you are getting true Dolby Atmos audio via Dolby Digital Plus from your LG and Roku.

What does the app say from a non-Atmos source on the Roku?

Testing “Army of the Dead” and “Sabotage” on Netflix, both show “Dolby Digital Plus 5.1”.

You are good. The Roku and LG are giving you true Dolby Atmos audio via Dolby Digital Plus.

That’s awesome, but also sad. I just purchased the new Apple TV and that was going to be my main source of streaming content. It’s maddening to think that I’d have to stream my iTunes movies through a Roku instead of an Apple TV to get Dolby Atmos.

Of course, I could just buy the Arcana and stop crying, but this whole situation is just so weird.

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