Netflix Dolby Atmos problems with new Apple TV 4k

I have gotten this problem (dropout, followed by chopping audio until it re-synchronizes) with HBO Max -- specifically, "The Matrix Resurrections". Happens nearly every few minutes on Netflix "Drive to Survive" although rebooting the Apple TV lets me go longer (maybe 15 minutes) before it happens. I don't recall having this problem with Disney+ or AppleTV+ but I haven't watched those much recently, so if the problem was introduced by a recent software update, it might not have been triggered.

Yes i also saw it on Matrix Resurrections on HBO Max;

i've also seen it on the AppleTV+ shows "Invasion" and "For All Mankind", as well us on the movie "Greyhound";

On Netflix's "The Silent Sea" it happens constantly.

I have the same issue with only Netflix and Atmos. 2021 4K AppleTV passed through a 4K Atmos capable Sony new 2020 model receiver. I usually just close out of the Netflix app and the issue doesn’t happen again for that session. I notice it reoccurs if I pause the show I’m watching. If I don’t touch it playing an episode I normally can make it through that given episode without the sound cutting out. I only have the cut out issue, never popping.

Problem is still there for me. Probably got worse after adding 4 height speakers.

I have a ATV4K 2021 (TV os 15.2) - Belkin 48Gbps - Denon x4700 - High quality HDMI - to Sony 2015 TV

Only on Netflix Atmos content stuttering. Mostly shortly after starting the Atmos title.

Then somewhere during, few times. It sounds like very fast mute/unmute and the interval get increasingly larger over time.

Almost rhythmic.

It will stutter for about 5 - 10 seconds. Extremely annoying.

Hesitant investing in another expensive Belkin ultra cable between Denon and TV. Seems more of a software/buffering issue to me.

16 bits audio format did not fix this either.

I did test with and without Dynamic Color auto.

Wondering now if the auto frame rate could be related. Never tested it without. Always on.

Though I would expect that would actually improve the situation as frame rate is matching actual content.

Never tried switching it off yet though.

So coming from ATV, to Shield 2017, to ATV 4K '21, I now have to wait for Android 12 (auto frame rate in OS) Shield TV? sigh

Netflix seems to be the most plagued app on any platform generally speaking so... it will take a long time for a fix I'm afraid.

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.

Trust me, it's not your avr. I have pioneer & other users have reported issues with ATV 4k + other brands' AVRs.

ATV 4k + Netflix is the issue that probably both companies need to address & probably they never will.

I have gone back to my first generation ATV 4K and have no issues. I was able to get another certified open box from BestBuy for my other setup as well and all ok. I have abandoned my 2nd gen until the issue gets resolved. So it has been a costly venture

You should open a case with Apple, because it appears they are currently not acknowledging that there is any problem on their end.

They have told me that since many customers are able to connect their Apple TV 4K to their Denon AVR's and not having any problems, that it must be my AVR that is the cause.

Until enough people start opening cases, this won't be investigated further and so won't get fixed is my guess.

How to open a case? Assistant app seems not existing anymore.

Via Apple support web got the default unuseful tips.

Netflix app developers don't test it seems.

I finally managed to get a Netflix support person on the chat. After describing the issue, the connection was immediately cut off. I mean seriously??

Wish I was still in return period ATV. I got my Atmos supporting receiver later.

Spending time and effort to setup new receiver, buy expensive cables, install 4 height speakers.

What a disappointment.

Http://getsupport.Apple.com

then chose Apple TV and you can chat or talk;

they call you back if you choose to talk very fast.

But I don’t think this is a Netflix app problem since for me it happened on 3 different apps.

They seemed quite resistant to admitting this is an issue with their device in my case and want to push it over to Denon. That’s why I think more people need to open cases. I feel this is a firmware problem or a problem with TV OS because I also noticed that on the audio out page the Apple TV one time shows it is using “tv speakers “ and the next day will show “receiver speakers” as the default device., even though nothing changed.

Thanks I'll try that.

Although other devices than Denon have seen the issue, a lot of them do use Denon... Then again, Denon is a populair brand and front runner on HDMI 2.1

Tv speakers sometimes shows receiver? Hm, never seen that. Perhaps connected via airplay of Denon?

I have only heard the issue with Netflix. Not Disney+

Also not on inFuse, mrmc. But, they never show Atmos on Denon anyway.

Seems also less after power cycling ATV until you switch video or seek. So yeah, TV os is highly suspected.

Just get passthrough in place already Apple

So when i go into the "Video and Audio/Audio/Audio Output" page under Settings on the Apple TV, it seems to alternate between "Default Audio Output=TV Speakers" and "Default Audio Output=Receiver Speakers"

There seems to be no way to change this setting on the Apple TV...it just figures it out automatically somehow. But why would it ever change? I mean the Apple TV is connected directly to my Denon and obviously all the speakers are connected to the Denon. Why would the Apple TV think it was going to send output to my TV Speakers on one day and to the Receiver the next?

Seems like it is confused as to what it's hooked up to. Is it trying to figure out the speaker layout/connections so it can know what type of Atmos metadata to send out of the HDMI connection. And since it is doing the decoding/uncompression instead of the Denon (due to no passthrough option), does the Apple TV need to know how many speakers i have hooked up (e.g. 5.1, 7.1, number of height speakers, etc.)? if its getting confused then who knows what garbage it is sending out to my Denon receiver :-(

Wow I wish they had told me that there was a problem and they were working on it! All I got was nonsensical statements like we know there is no hardware problem with your Apple TV and try it on another AVR or even the suggestion to bring my AVR into an Apple certified repair/support location with the Apple TV