Apple TV 4K, Sonos Arc and Dolby Atmos

First and most importantly - thank you for the very quick response @Terry.

Good to know I'm not the only one having this issue. Hopefully, Apple sees this and makes some kind of software update/fix.

Regarding Apple TV on the LG, any reason you'd use that versus the set-top? Are there benefits or cons to either way? Truthfully, I've just continued to use the set-top out of habit, and haven't really utilized the TV app.

Thanks

@Nee Funny you mention that.

I didn’t have the eARC enabled for the first few weeks. Still, I was able to get Dolby atmos (lossy) during that time, and had the Dolby atmos logo showing on my Sonos app.

I’ve since enabled the eARC and sort of hear the difference in sound quality......I think....

Regardless, I think it’s funny that the eARC default is disabled.

Of course I have triple checked everything I think it depends on the lg tv you have and the software etc version. I think the oled ones seem to be ok but even the newest nano ones don’t. I am waiting for Sonos to update their arc to accept the signal being sent out by aTv

But this brings a new problem. I noted after watching Dolby Atmos content on Netflix @ ATV4K, when I play Music / Tidal on ATV4K the sound is choppy. I need to power off both ATV4K and TV to get rid of the issue.

Omfg thank you I have been trying to get this to work for months now and changed it to auto and it works I had tried Auto in the past but left it on pass through when I tested it after the last update of lg software and Sonos updat. Now it’s working wow finally thank you again. I know I just have to get plex or fuse to work with it from aTv

I have been trying for months with my LGNANO91 65" TV (2020 model that I got at Costco) to play Dolby Atmos with my AppleTV 4K and today I finally got it. I tried changing the "HDMI Input Audio Format" on the TV from PCM to Bitstream. With "Digital Sound Out" set to "Pass Through", and eARC enabled, I finally got Atmos. This may be due to the newer software that LG dropped a few weeks ago. I think I forgot to test PCM vs Bitstream at that time (I had been on PCM). Also, I'm a beta user of Apple tvOS in case that changed anything. Here's the software on my devices right now that give me Dolby Atmos on my AppleTV 4K:

LG: 03.10.60

tvOS: 14.0 (18J5385a)

Sonos (on my ARC): 12.0.5 (build 58180080)

For me I am on 3.10.43 (LG OLED GX), as this is the latest firmware released on 20th August 2020. I must choose AUTO instead of PASS THROUGH in DIGITAL SOUND OUT in order to get ATMOS on my Samsung Q950T sound bar. Yea, BITSTREAM was used since day one.

However, I am on TvOS 13, noticed you are on TvOS14. Hopefully when TvOS 14 is officially released I can try to choose PASS THROUGH and see if it enable ATMOS on my sound bar or not.

Thank you for the update, cheers!

As of today, I can confirm you can use the Sonos Arc without eARC (well for my TV anyway).

I have the Sonos Arc + Sub + (2) Surround Sonos Play:1.

The system is connected through ARC to a a 2015 Samsung JS8500.

An Apple TV 4K is connected to the Samsung.

Likely no support for Atmos, although the whole system does play sound properly in 5.1 DTS, and produces a very spatial and pleasing sound. I did have to change some settings on the Samsung TV (either swap from Bitstream to PCM, and switch to 5.1 DTS) to get the Sonos Arc to produce sound. Apple TV is left on Auto for the Audio.

I'm planning to add an HDFury 4K Arcana 18GBPS to fully support Dolby Atmos with that system, which will add real eARC capability to my setup-so no need to buy a whole new TV hopefully!

Hi,

Just wanted to do a quick follow up to my previous post here: I finally setup my AppleTV 4K with a new SONOS Arc using the HDFury Arcana.

Simple setup: AppleTV 4K connected to Arcana HDMI IN Port, Arcana HDMI OUT Port connected to a Video Projector (could be a TV, wouldn't make much of a difference), Arcana eARC OUT Port connected to SONOS Arc.

Everything works perfectly with the Arcana default configuration and the AppleTV 4K automatically outputs Dolby Atmos (when available).

The Arcana is not cheap but works right out of the box and offers a lot of options!

Hope this helps!

Phil

There is a new splitter from HD Fury called Arcana. Its 199 and will allow you to get full atmos on a sonos arc from the apple tv4k without having to buy a new tv with e-arc. https://hdfury.com/product/4k-arcana-18gbps/

Hi Terry,

I can confirm that to use the Arc in Dolby Audio mode you must connect the Sonos Arc to a eARC compatible tv through the eARC HDMI slot and eARC should be activated. The ATV would then be connected through another available HDMI slot on the TV.

eARC is required for the tv and ATV to pass through a Dolby audio signal. You may also need to check what HDMI cable you use as I believe a 2.1 HDMI cable is required.

Wiring:

1) ATV to TV HDMI port

2) TV ARC HDMI port to Sound Bar

ALSO, I totally solved ATV volume symbol not showing on TV as you vary volume with ATV Siri Remote (+ or — button)

Note:

** symbol shows using TV Remote *and* using Cable Remote - but not with ATV Remote when your Sound Bar is Sonos. ATV doesn’t see Sonos Sound Bar.

** Shows everywhere if you have a non-Sonos Sound Bar,

1) leave Sonos app as is with your unique Speaker System names

2) leave ATV preferences alone, including its INCORRECT designation of Default Audio System = TV Speakers. ATV doesn’t see the Sonos Sound Bar.

3) while watching a ATV streamed video, using the ATV Siri remote, swipe down from top and you will see 

a) TV Speakers = incorrect Default Audio System

b) your unique Sonos Speaker System name

Select (b) and a MIRACLE happens

✌️😳✌️

John Love

The Sonos ARC will work over just ARC and you will receive Dolby Atmos for streaming services like Apple TV or Netflix or Prime.. etc. Your TV must support Atmos. However, you would not be able to get Dolby Atmos TrueHD. ( a tad step up ) ... That’s only offered on on devices through BlueRay and what not..and it will only pass through with an eARC. ( enhanced ARC )

I have set Atmos to off and set output to 5.1 and I get this. There's no sound when atmos is on.

Here's when I play from Netflix App. From LG. Directly.