Related Article: Play audio in Dolby Atmos or surround sound on your Apple TV

Dolby Atmos sync issue with Apple TV

Whenever I play Dolby Atmos content, there is a delay in audio playback in relation to the video. Dialog is slightly out of sync from lips. Explosions are heard slightly after you seem them. The delay is about 1/6 of a second.


Hardware used: Apple TV 4K, Samsung Series 7 TV, and Vizio Elevate Soundbar.


I tested in both configurations and had the same results:

  1. Apple TV 4K connected to Samsung Series 7 TV's HDMI 2 input. Vizio Elevate Soundbar connected to HDMI eARC.
  2. Apple TV 4K connected to Vizio Elevate's HDMI 2 input. izio Elevate Soundbar connected to HDMI eARC.


The issue only happens when view Dolby Atmos content. If I set the Apple TV to only output in 5.1 surround, the delay disappears.


I play with the AV delay of both the TV and the soundbar and was not able to sync the audio and video. The lowest setting on the AV sync is the closest I can get the audio to the video. Increasing the setting makes it worse.


Below are the list of apps with varying results:


Disney+ Noticeable audio delay with Dolby Atmos content. Disabling Atmos fixes the sync issue.

MAX Same as Disney+

Netflix Same as Disney+

Paramount + Noticeable audio delay with ALL content.


Additionally, I also tested the Samsung TV's native Netflix app since it is the only one that outputs Atmos through the eARC. No sync issues with the TV's native Netflix app when playing Atmos content.


Is there a solution for these syncing issues when playing Atmos content on the Apple TV?

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 17

Posted on Oct 24, 2023 11:10 PM

Reply
8 replies

Oct 29, 2023 4:59 AM in response to priyonjoni

I have the same problem with a Philips TV (65OLED907) with a built-in soundbar. Apple TV4K (latest version) has sync issues in all streaming apps (Apple TV+ is actually worst). I noticed a big improvement with tvOS 17.1 where a few episodes and films (Netflix and Prime) played without sync issues. This was not consistent, however, and most content and other apps are unusable with Atmos due to syncing. Native apps on the TV play Atmos without sync issues of course. Using the shortest possible and most expensive HDMI-cable (8K etc.) cable I could find.

Nov 17, 2023 7:17 AM in response to priyonjoni

I have the same problem ... and this is a recurring issue: it was present for some time after I bought the AppleTV4K over two years ago; then it was fixed but just recently audio has been going out of sync in Dolby Atmos again.


My ATV4K is connected to a Panasonic OLED (JZ2000) with built-in Dolby Atmos system. In the TV's native apps audio is synced, on the AppleTV there is a significant delay.

Disabling Atmos fixes the problem; no sync issues in 5.1

Dolby Atmos sync issue with Apple TV

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