Audio issues with streaming apps (but not Apple Music/purchased movies)

Last night we started experiencing an audio glitch while using the Hulu app. Description and Specs below.


Hardware:

  • Sonos Beam plugged into eARC (cables tested and fine)
  • Apple TV set to auto-switch audio if Atmos is available.


Issue:

  • While watching a show on Hulu it sounds like there's no center channel being processed and as a result every bit of dialogue sounds as if it is underwater or behind a wall.


Issue Presents:

  • Hulu and Netflix constantly
  • HBO and Amazon on some content



Issue does NOT present:

  • For any purchased film/tv or on any Apple TV+ shows.
  • Spatial Audio on Apple Music
  • Using the Hulu app on Google TV which is built into the television
  • Paramount Plus
  • SOME content on HBO and Amazon (but I haven't figured out what the difference is between content that works and content that doesn't


Steps Taken

  • Completely reboot all devices
  • Factory reset Sonos Beam
  • Deleted Hulu and reinstalled


I'm pretty sure it has something to do with each services audio stream and how it works with the latest AppleTV update because I can just switch Atmos off on the AppleTV (set it to 5:1) and everything works fine. That said, just turning Atmos off on the AppleTV actually "broke" a film on HBO that worked with the normal settings, but defaulted to the muted sound until I turned Atmos back on.


TBH I haven't had any issues with our AppleTV's in all the years that we've had them, so this issue is kinda surprising.


Any insight into what may be going on here?



Apple TV 4K, tvOS 17

Posted on Sep 22, 2023 10:51 AM

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4 replies

Sep 26, 2023 3:17 PM in response to ChunkyGlasses

Hey there ChunkyGlasses,


Thanks so much for using Apple Support Communities.


We want to help you get the audio from your Apple TV sounding as clear as possible! To do that, we have a few steps that you can take to try and isolate the issue. Being able to isolate an issue can help shape the troubleshooting steps that may resolve it.


Here's where to start:


  • Bypass any of your audio hardware and test the audio through the built-in speakers on your TV. This can pinpoint where the issue may be originating.
  • Test your Apple TV on a different TV if you have one available. Again, this will help identify the root of the issue.
  • Reset your Apple TV, following the steps here: Reset or restore your Apple TV to its factory settings - Apple Support. This can help resolve many unexpected issues.


We hope that this information gets everything working again.


Many thanks!

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Audio issues with streaming apps (but not Apple Music/purchased movies)

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