Stuttering audio randomly with Apple TV 4k - Netflix / Apple Plus content in Atmos

Darrkon wrote:

[...]

I also emailed Denon about this and apparently it is a widespread issue with a number of receivers and the Apple TV 4K in particular. I’ve seen a few posts on the Internet where people are having similar issues.

They have said Apple are working on it and a fix should be available at some point.

[...]

Cheers

The folks at Denon are correct that this issue is not uncommon and also that it can appear on equipment from multiple vendors. Here's one thread that's been active on this forum with over 300 posts since last September: Netflix Dolby Atmos problems with new Apple TV 4k.

My TLDR summary of the issue is that the ATV4K receives a compressed Dolby Atmos bitstream (from Netflix or wherever), and decodes it before sending it along as an uncompressed Atmos bitstream that causes some home theater setups to, as you say, "stutter". It's not a universal problem even with Denon receivers, but it's clearly a problem.

In Apple Support's setup recommendations, they describe this approach as "a high bandwidth form of Dolby Atmos that doesn’t work over ARC connections"... but I would be surprised if yours is a bandwidth issue since your cabling etc. worked with the NAD receiver. Have you tried the X4700H's 8K hdmi input?

I advocate opening a support call with Apple, as well as Denon, if for no other reason than to help influence bug-fixing priororities.

Finally, many believe that Apple should offer a "digital audio bitstream pass-through option" in the ATV4K's Settings to simply deliver the compressed audio bitstream to your AVR just as received from Netflix or wherever... This would mimic the behavior of competing streaming media players that reportedly work fine with HT setups & content that stutter when using the ATV4K. I also suggest casting a vote for such an audio bitstream passthrough feature here: Feedback - Apple TV - Apple.

Hello Darrkon,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

To help ensure the software is working as expected, check for updates with these steps:

Update Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD

1. Go to Settings > System > Software Updates and select Update Software.

2. If there's an update, select Download and Install. 

3. Wait for your Apple TV to download the update. Don't disconnect or unplug your Apple TV until the update completes.

This Apple Support page has the full details: Update your Apple TV - Apple Support

If the issue remains, to help isolate the issue, does it happen at all when not using this new receiver?

Do you notice any connection issues when the stutter issue occurs? Are you able to test while using another network, or a direction connection to your network?

Have you confirmed the issue only happens on Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos titles?

We hope this helps.

Cheers!