I have a 3rd generation Apple TV 4K and just updated tvOS to ver. 26.4. After upgrading, resetting and power cycling, I still do not see the Continuous Audio Connection option under Settings>Video and Audio>Audio Format. I was led to believe that new feature would work with the 3rd gen hardware. Any thoughts?
Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)
When compatible audio hardware isn’t detected, then the applicable options may be omitted in the UI.
The Continuous Audio Connection option requires support for Dolby MAT, such as from various AV receivers and soundbars, that are expected to also support Dolby Atmos. Is that present in your setup?
Continuous Audio Connection - Change audio settings on Apple TV 4K - Apple Support
When compatible audio hardware isn’t detected, then the applicable options may be omitted in the UI.
The Continuous Audio Connection option requires support for Dolby MAT, such as from various AV receivers and soundbars, that are expected to also support Dolby Atmos. Is that present in your setup?
Continuous Audio Connection - Change audio settings on Apple TV 4K - Apple Support
Could this be a function that my TV only supports ARC and not eARC (current HDMI connection for the soundbar)?
When the sound signal goes through the TV, then the TV needs to have eARC and Dolby Atmos support for it to be able to output Dolby Atmos to a soundbar (or AV receiver). With regular ARC, Dolby Digital 5.1 is the maximum supported audio format (try setting the Apple TV to output Dolby Digital 5.1 for that option).
Apple TV →[HDMI]→ TV →[HDMI eARC]→ soundbar
An alternative could be to place an eARC audio extractor in between, to avoid the limitations of the TV:
Apple TV →[HDMI]→ eARC audio extractor →[HDMI]→ TV
↘︎[HDMI eARC]→ soundbar
Examples of such extractors are: HDfury Arcana, HDfury Arcana 2, Feintech VAX04101, OREI HDA-935, OREI HDA-929, OREI BK-401ARC, NÖRDIC 8K HDMI 2.1 eARC/ARC Soundbar Extractor.
… Sonos Arc, which I understand does not support MAT
The Sonos Arc does support Dolby MAT from the Apple TV box, from their own online documentation.
Thank you - the Apple TV is connected to a Sonos Arc, which I understand does not support MAT, but supports Dolby Atmos. However, the Dolby Atmos option does not appear in my tvOS options for sound format either. Could this be a function that my TV only supports ARC and not eARC (current HDMI connection for the soundbar)?
issue after update those to 26.
Samsung Soundbar HW-QS700F connect to my Samsung Q60T OLED TV (through eARC HDMI cable) and Apple TV.
If the Apple TV connect to the HDMI port of the TV (eARC was connected to the soundbar). Dolby Atmos cannot be detected.
Status update
I updated my Apple TV to the latest tvos to 26 public bxxx today and my soundbar and TV finally recognized the Dolby Atoms again when direct connecting to the TV HDMI.
I suggest waiting for the next final tvos 26 update to solve the Dolby Atmos issue.
Help with Continuous Audio Connection after updating
