Dolby Atmos not working on Homepods

The Atmos option, which is visible when Apple TV 4K is connected to a compatible TV, will disappear when connected to HomePod. You are still getting the Atmos soundtrack though. This can be confirmed by pressing 'menu' on the Apple remote while watching an Apple TV+ show and ofcourse you need at least 2 Home pods for this feature to work

I tried the setting:1. TV as default speaker with auto, Dolby Atmos enable, 2.press the botton right left to manu botton on aptv remote controller then select Homepod as speaker. The magic appeared, tried swiping down the Atmos capable show by netflix, Dolby atmos logo was on.

Not working either for me.

In fact, 14.2 made it sound worse, and collapsed the soundstage.

I’d start creating cases with Apple Support, and perhaps test with 14.3.

There are some staff who read here.

Also leave feedback directly at apple.com/feedback.

Are you sure that iPhone/iPad, Apple TV 4K & HomePods are on latest versions of iOS and tvOS?

I also just purchased 2 HomePods for this sole purpose and have spent an hour trying to figure out if it is all actually setup to play atmos as advertised. Everything is up to date and setup as a pair in the same room as my Apple TV in the home app. Have the default output set to my HomePods. Looked through all of the audio setting and am not seeing any option for atmos. When playing a show that is atmos capable I swipe down on the Apple remote and look at the audio and all that is says is full dynamic range. Nothing about Dolby atmos.

I watched that vid when I got my soundbar it doesn’t help in this case although I was expecting something much the same to be in audio settings. Apple TV recognises through hdmi that your tv soundbar amp have Atmos but with HomePods they’re wirelessly connected. What apple need to sort is the APTV4K communicating with HomePods to tell it they’re now Atmos capable HomePods and then we may see something in settings but I’ve tried everything. Seems apple have jumped the gun, bragged about Atmos when in fact I don’t believe it was ever ready and a future update will eventually sort it. Without Atmos I can’t get the HomePods to sync properly with movies... grrr

https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/15/21517321/apple-homepod-dolby-atmos-tv-4k-virtual-surround-sound-5-1-7-1

This guy did an in depth video on how it works and the content. Still doesn’t explain the settings but does say it doesn’t matter what tv you have.

https://youtu.be/yc0vLiExrIY

I wonder if there is an optimum placement?

I have Apple TV 4K, two HomePods but am not getting what I would expect.

There is a YouTube where a guy is watching the series 2 trailer for The Mandalorian, with my setup.

He is hearing sounds from behind to front as ships fly over etc. I get nice punchy sound (still too much bass) but no ‘travel’.

My HomePods are located just below the corner edges of a 55” screen.

No option to put them further apart without them being further forward...

It’s getting more confusing now...

I moved the setup to a more central room location (can’t be permanent).

Placed the HomePods in front and to the side of screen (classic placement). Mandalorian S02E03. Sound certainly filled the room but no sound placement. When there was dialogue from a character it sounded as though it was coming from the speaker and not the screen. 3 people audience agreed.

Most perplexing.

Saw the video, and was unconvinced.

TV is supposed to be irrelevant.

The lack of UI is confusing.

So it all boils down to perception and listening results.

If it requires a ATV reset, or is dependent on room dimensions, that’s being left out so far.

Similar thing with HomePod Mini. New iPod, latest iOS and it will not play to the Mini and the Room with two HomePods together. Just keeps selecting back and forth and Pausing. And, why no iPhone 6 to HomePod Mini? It’s it all AirPlay?

Netflix has an ultra HD 4k premium plan which might bump up the sound quality options. Can't get any worse. CBS Access also terrible audio on basic plan. Fubo won't recognize Apple Airplay so no sound from HomePod.

I don’t understand, why is there the need to have two HomePods to enable

Dolby Atmos?

I understand for sound quality and distribution two HomePods would be better but I cannot see anywhere in Apples updated for Dolby Atmos stating two are required?