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Not able to get 5.1 audio (only 2.0 stereo) when connecting my macbook pro 16" to 85" Samsung 90A

  • December 16, 2021
  • 5 replies
  • 2882 views
J

Hey everyone! 

 

I have a sonos arc and 3rd gen sub as well as 2 architectural in wall speakers as rears for my surround. Everything works together well when I use the apps on the TV (i.e. Disney+, youtubetv, etc) but when I plug my laptop in and try to watch a movie on HBO max, Prime, etc the audio is stereo 2.0 PCM and not dolby 5.1 or atmos even though the audio output is still ARC (sonos). Anyone else able to get this working from a mac? 

 

My setup: Sonos Arc and Sub paired with 2 sonos architectural in wall speakers for rear 

Best answer by GuitarSuperstar

@jfuyana On your TV settings, be sure to enable HDMI-eARC Mode and set Digital Output Audio to Pass-Through.

Also, on your MacBook, go to Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup and see if you can adjust the audio output settings from 2-channel to 5.1. Be sure to also check the “Configure Speakers...” option in the same window.

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5 replies

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  • nik9669a
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • December 16, 2021

How are you connecting the Mac - directly or via the TV? What audio format is the Mac sending - are you sure it’s DD? Is the TV set to pass through a DD signal? Is it able to do so? 

J
Ken_Griffiths

I found this old thread which perhaps may assist (assuming the TV can pass-through the audio over its ports) …

 

J
J
  • jfuyana
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • December 16, 2021

How are you connecting the Mac - directly or via the TV? What audio format is the Mac sending - are you sure it’s DD? Is the TV set to pass through a DD signal? Is it able to do so? 

Hello! I’m connecting my laptop via a 4k HDMI cable which is plugged into another port on our TV. The audio is set to come through the Sonos via that ARC port. TV settings show ARC as output. I go to HBOmax.com on my laptop (2020 MBP 16”) > look for a 4k /Dolby atmos supported movie > play but the audio says PCM stereo 2.0 and not dolby atmos. Am i doing something wrong? Tech support said Sonos only works with TV only and no other inputs for dolby atmos / 5.1. For something this expensive that doesn’t seem correct. 

G
  • GuitarSuperstar
  • Lead Maestro
  • Answer
  • December 16, 2021

@jfuyana On your TV settings, be sure to enable HDMI-eARC Mode and set Digital Output Audio to Pass-Through.

Also, on your MacBook, go to Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup and see if you can adjust the audio output settings from 2-channel to 5.1. Be sure to also check the “Configure Speakers...” option in the same window.

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
J
J
  • jfuyana
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • December 16, 2021

@jfuyana On your TV settings, be sure to enable HDMI-eARC Mode and set Digital Output Audio to Pass-Through.

Also, on your MacBook, go to Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup and see if you can adjust the audio output settings from 2-channel to 5.1. Be sure to also check the “Configure Speakers...” option in the same window.

Genius!! 

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