Netflix Dolby Atmos problems with new Apple TV 4k

I cannot believe people are just starting to have this issue after the latest update. I've been having it since the TVOs went from 14 to 15

I was watching everything in 5.1 for a while but recently converted from Ethernet to Wifi and I can't believe the huge difference with Atmos.

I watched Northman on Apple TV+ and 1 1sec dropout for a 2 hr movie and watched some stuff on Netflix with no dropouts.

Still, Apple needs to fix the problem

Hi All….

just to be curious, i’m also watching Disney+ on the same Atv. And Atmos shows on Disney+ are without any audio issues like wirt Nf on the same Atv.

anyone else to confirm this.??

so that leaves me to believe that the Nf app might have anything to do with it.?

Same for me. Only issue with Atmos is via the Netflix app on the ATV 4K. D+ Atmos work fine for me. I am going to try the installed app on my TV in a bit to see if there are any issues.

I don’t know if it’s related, but I tried to Watch Ghost in the Shell_2045 which shows as bing in both DV and HD but I could only get HD to play via the ATV 4K Netflix app. I am, of course, on the 4K plan. Again will test via the stand alone app in a bit.

Because the Apple TV 4K Gen 2 is the only device that has this Atmos problem (there are some reports that the latest tvOS versions introduced the problem to Gen 1, but I can't confirm as I left my Gen 1 on 15.3, just in case).

It is worth pointing out that Netflix recently rolled out an update to its Apple TV app, introducing support for the tvOS 15 player. The problem is not the app but the native tvOS handlers, such as Atmos decoders, conversion to a LPCM 5.1 + MAT 2.0 Atmos metadata stream, etc.

If you want to learn more about the Atmos problem and several workarounds, I suggest reading my posts going back a few weeks.

I've been trying to watch Stranger Things over the weekend. This intermittent sound drop issue via Netflix has been doing my head in.

I broke down my whole system today, reseating every cable in the video chain to no avail, until I found this thread.

It isn't much consolation I'm not alone. I shall contact Apple support and bring this thread to their attention. Not paying nigh on £200 for a box that only works with some content. It will work with Atmos or it will be going back.

Did you skip my posts? TLDR: Video bandwidth is the trigger. Different shows and streaming services use different amounts of bandwidth. Even on Netflix, DtS has the most dropouts due to it being 50Hz, while forcing it to 1080p eliminates the dropouts. Outside of DtS, the dropouts are too random to come to meaningful conclusions. Some shows have had no dropouts for many hours/episodes. I have had lots of dropouts on ATV+. There is no longer anything unique about Netflix to cause dropouts.

I did read your post about dropping resolution down to 1080p, but why would anyone do that?! Surely, that would mean no DV, no?

If so, and I mean no disrespect on your part, that sounds like a workaround, not a solution.

That should have no bearing as the features of 2.1 that Apple will utilise only apply to gaming.

All video and object based surround formats only require high speed HDMI (up to 18Gbps) and HDMI 2.0b is sufficient for that.

I'll just copy from one of my recent posts:

I agree that forcing 1080p isn't for everyone. I even said that seating distance, TV 4K upscaling quality, etc., are all factors. I sit 7 feet from a 75" Sony 940E, so I am in the range where 4K makes a difference over 1080p. If I were 10 feet from the screen, a figure I suspect is a more typical viewing distance, I would not be able to see the difference. There are many TV viewing distance charts online to help people people determine if 4K makes a difference.

I don't see why DV would be resolution specific. My TV indicated that DtS forced to 1080p was DV.

Of course forcing 1080p and using WiFi are workarounds. A real solution can only come from Apple, but I don't suggest holding your breath for one -- people have been complaining about the Atmos problem for well over 6 months.

The fact is... none of the users on this forum should have to be wasting their time guessing about ways to make an expensive product do what they paid for.. The Dolby Quality Control (QC) is exhaustive. So when any Dolby certified product is played on Apple TV or any other platform, there should be none of this audio-dropping nonsense.

I sent my AppleTV back and got a full refund. And I suggest a lot of you do the same.

Something's completely wrong, and Apple need to fix it.

Not an option for those that purchased outside the return window, which is likely >90% of us. I preordered mine from Apple. It wasn't obvious that there was a problem with Atmos until tvOS 15 came out in September '21, as the dropouts were very infrequent with 14.x. Apple should offer everyone with a Gen 2 a refund, but it would likely take a class action suit for that to happen.

" Apple should offer everyone with a Gen 2 a refund, but it would likely take a class action suit for that to happen. "

Better they fix it, I don't see actually no alternativ for my use, it's fast, smooth, has a superior picture quality and -most important for me- the automatic frame rate switching from 23,97 up to 60 fps.

Switchimg to wireless solved the problem entirely for me (use it only for streaming, no BT, no airplay or homepods), had not a single dropout.

Of course it's just a workaround and not a solution, so let's go on poking Apple to fix the problem on the root

Having the same issue on both Apple TV + and Netflix. Wasn't a problem before but recently noticed that audio cuts out and Yamaha receiver says Decoder Off so it's not always getting audio. I did the update/power down and it looks like Apple TV + is ok but Netfix is still a problem.

I just got off the phone with Apple. They want me to try 2 things.

1) Try going from the Apple TV 4K to my TV directly, removing my receiver

2) Factory reset the Apple TV 4K device

I highly doubt either will work, but I will try.....

WIFI probably works because it is buffering and using different IP packet sizes. Most of the time, if the audio drops out, I can pause, wait X amount of seconds and maybe have it work after unpausing.