Mac Mini: how to output to 5.1/dolby surround/dolby atmos

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Mac Mini: how to output to 5.1/dolby surround/dolby atmos

I am brand-new to using Mac computers so maybe this is a slam-dunk but I haven't found anything on how to do this yet...

I've got a M2 Mac Mini. Outputting all audio/video through HDMI to my Pioneer VSX-S520. I have all the Mac settings set to output to "Sound System" but I am only getting 2.0 channel sound when I run a test video on YouTube for testing 5.1 channel sound systems.

I had previously been using a Windows machine without issue regarding the audio output. I plugged in my Mac Mini simply by unplugging the Windows machine and plugging in the Mac. Same wires, same setup. Nothing changed to my system except the computer itself.

How do get sound to output to more than just 2.0 channel sound?

I've tried both YouTube videos (designed for 5.1) and video files playing on VLC.

Any ideas? Suggestions?

~wigsf_

Posted on Dec 26, 2023 6:02 AM

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Answer 1

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MartinR

Level 7

24,083 points

Dec 26, 2023 4:10 PM in response to wigsf3

On an M2 Mini you have to use HDMI out to get multichannel audio. (The 3.5mm headphone out is only analog stereo out.) Connect the Mini's HDMI-out to one of your Pioneer's HDMI-in ports. Enabling 5.1 should then work this way:

On your Mini, go to System Preferences > Sound > Output and select HDMI out (it should also indicate your Pioneer amp).
Then go to Utilities > Audio Midi Setup and select your output (HDMI/Pioneer). Then click Configure Speakers, then Multichannel, then 5.1 Surround.
You should then be able to select each speaker and get a test tone for each.
When all appears to work, click Apply.

Note that even when you go through all of this, some apps have additional 5.1 settings - you may just have to experiment with them. Then, too, the source material needs to be 5.1 - not all Disney+, Netflix, YouTube, etc. is 5.1.

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