Dolby Digital Output from M1 Mac Mini

But I don’t get that option. That’s the point.

You don't get it because your TV doesn't support it. There's no way around it.

Click on the "Stereo" button.

Thanks but all I have is a stereo button, if I click on it it just confirms Configuration is stereo with a tick. I don’t get the options you are seeing.

You know why...I’m sorry but there’s no way around but to replace your TV and amp.

No, your conclusion is wrong. Looks like an issue with the Amazon Prime App on Apple TV. Play your content using the Apple TV+ App, it should work.

Well, the poster’s TV doesn’t have optical out. Now there’s an idea. But you don’t wanna go the route. Sigh. End of idea.

What’s the content? What TV? You didn’t mention Apple TV, so is the streaming integrated within the TV? How’s the streaming occurring on the mini? Just so you know, Apple won’t pass through stuff blindly until content meets the DRM smell test.

FWIW, passing signal like Dolby or DTS over HDMI from one

device to a TV and then from a TV to an audio device can be

problematic. It can sometimes work, some times not.

One thing you could try, play around with Audio MIDI Setup

(in Applications/Utilities) for the interface that shows up

for HDMI. Select one of the multichannel formats that

show up in the list. Which one "works" seems to depend

on the Mini model and what works on one model may not

work on another.

Or as stated, just use the Apple TV app on the TV, which is what

I do for Apple supplied content.

Seeing the exact same issue as in OP's screenshots.

-Samsung UN55KU6300 (TV spec claims Dolby Digital 5.1 passthrough is supported via HDMI)

-Sonos Beam + 2 One SLs + Sub Gen 3 connected via HDMI ARC and passthrough

-Mac Mini M1 macOS Big Sur 11.1

-Using a new HDMI 2.1 cable

MiDi setup on Mac doesn't even show multi channel as an option. Tried streaming via browser, mp4 through VLC and Apple TV+ to no avail.

Native TV apps (Netflix, Prime Video) do output Dolby Digital 5.1

First I select the number of channels, bit rate, sample rate here

And I get this menu:

From there, I go to speaker configuration (Lautsprecher konfigurieren)

In my Sony TV, surround is simulated with the internal two speakers and a subwoofer connected to the headphone out.

Sounds very 3D if I send the test signals to the 6 speakers.

I can not say if the optical out of the Sony or the HDMI /ARC is surpassing the surround signals, since I don't have a receiver but I guess it would.

I addition to your complete hardware setup, what apps are you using

for video playback? Is it streaming from some service?