Netflix Dolby Atmos problems with new Apple TV 4k

Video bandwidth is most definitely a factor. It explains why DtS (4k 50 Hz) consistently has more dropouts than any other 4k 24 Hz show, and why the same episode of DtS forced to 1080p 50Hz has no dropouts, even on a wired connection. The higher video bandwidth requires more processing resources, which apparently leaves the MAT 2.0 Atmos stream creation at a potential deficit and susceptible to errors.

I would not blindly point at the Ethernet implementation as the cause of the problem, because it isn’t — Wi-Fi still has dropouts, just a lot fewer than wired. I previously suggested it is because Ethernet has more processing overhead than Wi-Fi, for whatever reason. Anything more specific is just a WAG. Of course this is all just speculation, and I have gone into far more detail in much longer posts that very few here actually read (though the Wi-Fi and 1080p workarounds can be traced to my posts).

The only thing that pushes that stubborn company to do anything is bad press.

Once a few tech blogs get the story up - it tips over and others start joining in. Its fun for them to dunk on Apple.

I found a number of sites to email by searching google for "Apple FlexGate" and then clicking "News" at the top. Just ran down the list and used the 'Contact' or 'Tip Us' links on varried sites.

[BEGIN COPY PASTA]

Hello!

Over the last few months I have been noticing a repetitively discussed problem with the AppleTV 4k 2nd gen.

There seems to be an issue with the audio dropping out while playing certain programming while having Dolby Atmos audio enabled.

I initially believed this was related to random users not having good internet connections - but upon my own testing I experienced the same Atmos audio drops.

This isn’t a small problem - it’s laughably bad. It seems to affect certain Atmos programming on Netflix, Disney+, Paramount, etc.

This is reproducable on nearly every Apple TV 4k 2nd gen by doing the following:

1. ATV 4k 2nd gen

2. Wired ethernet connection

3. 4k output

4. Atmos audio enabled

5. Play Netflix "Drive to Survive" or "Stranger Things Season 4"

Some users have been having this issue for up to 6 months - and Apple refuses to acknowledge it or they are passing the buck - blaming the app/content providers. This problem did not exist in TvOS 14.x to my recollection.

Curiously - some users are reporting the issue to be lessened if you are connected over Wi-Fi instead of a wired connection (which - once again, makes this an Apple issue).

Here are the discussions:

36 page thread on Apple forums: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253168177

38 page thread on Martin Logan forum: https://www.martinloganowners.com/threads/2021-new-gen-apple-tv-4k-dolby-atmos-problems.18919/

AVSForum threads: https://www.avsforum.com/threads/dolby-atmos-problems-on-apple-tv-netflix-and-denon-receiver.3240331/

https://www.avsforum.com/threads/apple-tv-owners-thread-faq-in-first-post.1278071/page-2061 (mixed in this massive thread are tons of complaints)

MacRumors thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/some-apple-tv-users-complain-of-dolby-atmos-audio-issues.2343989/

reddit threads: https://www.reddit.com/r/appletv/comments/tp4jeu/154_atmos_dropouts/

https://www.reddit.com/r/appletv/comments/tx1wov/dolby_atmos_stuttering_on_newest_gen_apple_tv/

https://www.reddit.com/r/appletv/comments/rqlvgi/dolby_atmos_distortions/

https://www.reddit.com/r/appletv/comments/uk2668/some_apple_tv_users_complain_of_dolby_atmos_audio/

As its been said before - disconnecting the ethernet cable / switching to wifi helps to alleviate the issue.

[END COPY PASTA]

I’ve posted on this topic string somewhere previously. I wanted to report back to the community with some additional proof that the AppleTV 4k (new version) along with the latest tvOS is the issue with Dolby Atmos playback. Most of us already know this, but my case offers further evidence.

my setup: hard line +300Mbps internet connection to my ATV, a certified hdmi cable (48gbps) from ATV to a Denon AVR x4700h, and then sound to a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos speaker setup.

streaming through AppleTV gives me issues on DA content across the board (AppleTV+, Disney+, Apple Music, Netflix). Like most others with the issue, Netflix is the worst.

I recently got a 4k ultra HD blu ray player with built in Netflix app (Panasonic DP-UB820). I can stream all Netflix content through the Panasonic into my Denon and absolutely zero sound issues. None!

The Panasonic is on the same hard wired internet connection and using the same type of hdmi cable. It’s set for bitstream sound output to my receiver.

So, the AppleTV 4k and current tvOS combination is the difference. It just doesn’t work right.

like others have said, hopefully 16 will work properly.

I've been following this thread for quite a while - thanks to everyone who has taken the time to post details and possible workarounds. I'm a developer, so I was able to try tvOS 16 over the past week and so far, I haven't had any audio stuttering whatsoever after playing various titles from both Netflix (including Stranger Things and Drive to Survive) as well as Apple TV+ (For All Mankind, Loot, etc).

I have a wired gigabit fiber network in my home (1Gbps up and down) and the AppleTV 4K Gen2 that I use in my media room has always been hardwired. I was prepared to unplug the Cat6 due to the feedback here - but so far I haven't had to since upgrading to tvOS 16.

My previous experience with the same device hardwired on various versions of tvOS 15 was fairly constant audio stuttering unless I rebooted the device. This would help for a while and the stuttering would return.

I've also read some recent threads where it appears that Netflix is downgrading some of their streams to 5.1, but I can verify that the ones above are being shown on my Denon AVR-X4700H as Dolby Atmos.

I have both the Gen1 and Gen2 4K devices, so I temporarily swapped the Gen1 to my media room to get around the issue for a couple of months and have now switched back to the Gen2. FWIW - the Gen2 seems noticeably better in terms of video and audio quality to me so I'm happy to have it back.

Hopefully someone else here who has access to tvOS 16 can verify.

I have the same issues. Apple TV 4K 2021, Marantz SR7013, Sony Master Series OLED A90J. Random drops and what almost sounds like choppy interference with Atmos in Netflix. I have tried everything-new 8K cables, switching to Wi-Fi, uninstalling and reinstalling Netflix. If I use my previous generation Apple TV 4K no issues at all. I had my 2021 model replaced by Apple and the issue persists. I tried my 2021 on a different setup in a different room and the issue presented itself on that setup as well. Watching Netflix with Atmos through the Sony TV apps there is no issues. I have given up on using the 2021 version for Atmos. Yes the issue disappears if you downgrade the sound to 5.1 but that is not what I bought it for. This is definitely an issue with the 2021 model that needs to be addressed by Apple and Netflix. I don’t seem to have the Atmos issues with Prime, Disney + or AppleTV+ but I don’t watch these apps as much. So right now my 2021 model has become an expensive coaster.

Update:

I have (had) an apple TV 4k > Denon AVR x6700H > LG C9 Oled ;

I have been getting the pops/drops/stutteng since day 1 with the Apple TV4K 2021;

I tried replacing the Apple TV 4k with a new one from where i bought it (no improvement);

I opened a case with Apple and they suggested maybe it was the cable, so i tried with a new 8k Belkin HDMI cable (no luck);

Apple support mentioned that their device uncompresses the Audio and sends it to the AVR using Dolby MAT 2.0 uncompressed format which requires more bandwidth that other streaming devices such as Roku Ultra (which don't seem to have problems with my setup), and that puts more strain on the HDMI cable;

I also sent logs from the Apple TV4K to Apple, but they couldn't see any problems...next step in troubleshooting would be to connect the Apple TV4K to another AVR/TV i was told :-(

I also contacted Denon and they know of no known incompatability issues with my x6700h and the Apple TV4k 2021 :-(

Anyway, i finally decided to return the Apple TV4k before the return period ends and give up on trying to get this to work.

Its been months now and after numerous calls to Apple and trying everything to resolve this apart from swapping out my Denon i am burnt out. Perhaps the Denon doesnt support Dolby MAT 2.0 uncompressed audio...or maybe there is a bug on the Apple or Denon firmware...i guess i may never know.

So I returned my Apple TV 4k and instead I purchased an Nvidia Shield Pro for around the same price...so far its working fine and has a beta Frame match feature which addresses the issue i was having with my Roku Ultra and was why I went with the Apple TV4k in the first place.

Good luck to everyone else having this issue and i hope a solution is found.

That would then explain why some users heard audio coming out of the wrong speakers.

For me, it sounds like a buffer overflow issue. It starts to stutter on all speakers at the same time, starts with a very fast stutter which then extends in length (on/off on/off oon/oof ooon/oooof etc) for about 5 - 10 seconds.

"Drive to survive" is a very good show to reproduce. However, as said, it definitely is worse when I've switched shows, had the ATV not power cycled or stepped through a atmos show.

I've just come out of an Apple support chat. They are working on the issue. They indicate this needs a fix in TV os. Should be available shortly. I'll also drop some messages in www.apple.com/feedback as per their request.

I did not have access to my ATV so I couldn't have a call with support yet to register the ticket. Nevertheless, seems to be in progress.

Same problem here. I have the ATV 4K 2021 + Denon x4700h + LG OLED C9.

i have the dropouts not just on netflix. it’s also on itunes movies. so definitely not just netflix.

Just upgraded to the tvOS 15.3 and i could watch half of an epsiode with 1 small dropout. so it seemed to get a little better.

BTW: i also have the Shield TV pro and no issues there with Atmos. But in all honesty, the unstable/ not correct working auto-framerate function, was the reason for me to buy the ATV. so not any single box out there right now, which is perfect :(

So I watched The Silent Sea in 4k and Dolby Atmos without any dropouts

My settings:

Format: 4K SDR 60 (59.94Hz)

HDMI Output: RGB High

Match Content: Match Dynamic Range -> on and Match Frame Rate -> on

Audio Format: Auto, Atmos Available

So this setting will switch automatically to 4K HDR YCbCr 422 with 12 BPC and 24Hz

I think the HDFury fixed my problem. I love that device.

This coming weekend I have more time to watch a movie again.

Switched to 1080p SDR (auto framerate) and switched off 'enhanced' HDMI on the Denon.

Far less Atmos drop outs (not zero, but barely and short)

Both YCbCr as RGB high same.

Switching to 4K SDR and, full of drop outs (HDMI 'enhanced' on Denon still off)

Well, switching to 1080p is my workaround for now. My denon does the upscale to 4k.

I have ATV on 1080p SDR.

Auto frame rate

Auto dynamic

RGB high but, similar with YCbCr

Running 15.4 B (will not spell out the word otherwise this post will be rejected)

Apple is aware and they are working on the problem a case agent ensured me. However, so far every version we tested still showed the issue. 15.3 seemed to have improved it but, 15.4 seemed worse again.

So, I'm not very confident for a fix soon.

I rather sacrifice in resolution than audio so I'll stick with 1080p SDR for HDR. Btw, I did have the issue once or twice with 1080p SDR as well but, nowhere near as often as with 4K.

If I find the courage and time, I might test 1080p HDR as well.

Fingers crossed the CPU between gen 1 and 2 did not destroy Atmos in hardware...

In my experience, I have found that any content featuring a Dolby Atmos track will produce this result to varying degree/severity, so you might consider a full switchover to TV apps to save yourself the juggling act and possible damage to your speakers. Or, if you are more enamored of your video quality of the ATV, then disable Atmos processing. I decided on the former option as I truly enjoy the Atmos experience and had need of the ATV to be used elsewhere in a non-Atmos setup.

I find the behavior is the most severe in Netflix, but I have also witnessed the popping/clicking to occur in:

• Disney+ (Encanto)
• HBOMax (Matrix Resurrections)
• iTunes movies (Trolls World Tour)
• VUDU (can't remember which movie)

I've had Atmos issues in Netflix with the following setup:

• Apple TV 4K 2ᴺᴰ gen
• tvOS 15.3
• LG SL8Y soundbar
• Mecer UHD monitor
• ATV -> Soundbar -> Monitor (ARC, EDID 2.0)

Software for all devices is the latest available for each.

In Netflix, I started watching The Adam Project yesterday and the soundbar repeatedly switched in and out of Atmos, causing sound to drop out every second i.e. audio for 1 second, no audio for 1 second, audio for 1 second, no audio for 1 second ... endlessly. This happened with any Atmos title in the Netflix app.

I restarted all devices, no change. Switched 'Audio Format > Change Format' to 'On' to force Dolby 5.1, audio issues gone.

Switched 'Audio Format > Change Format' to 'Off' to allow Atmos again, the issue returns.

In the Amazon Prime app, launched The Tomorrow War and the soundbar switched to Atmos, without any audio issues.

Back to Netflix, launched The Adam Project again and the soundbar switched to Atmos, and the audio issues are now gone.

All signs point to software for me ...

Have been following this thread for a few months (also having the popping/muting issue with gen 2 ATV4k, but not gen 1).

Throwing this out there to see if others are interested in testing a theory. Prior to watching Atmos content, try doing a full restart on the unit (not just the Siri remote power button, which only puts unit to sleep). Either select "restart" via the System menu, unplug power, or hold down the "back" and "TV" button on the Siri remote for a few seconds. This seems to eliminate the issue for me, or at least greatly reduce the frequency of occurrence.

Completely unacceptable this issue continues to plague Apple TV Atmos users for this long. Apple will not even respond any longer to my nearly 4-month-old support ticket and requests for status updates.