No Dolby Digital Apple TV 3 firmware 6.1 (6698.99.16)

For those who are saying that the DD is gone on the ATV movie title. How about on other products, such as PS3, Wii U and what not?

My test movie is Terminator 2, it use to have the DD in the title now it does not. However, I wish I knew if it did or did not went I went to netflix.com. Because as of right now, it does not show DD. Heck it doesn't even show High-Def like it does on my ATV3.

On my iPhone 5, I see the same stuff on it as I do on netflix.com. I still can AirPlay 5.1 to my ATV3 via my iPhone 5.

I can also connect my Mac Mini to my AVR and get 5.1 from the movie via netflix.com and Safari.

So as we all know, yes there is a problem with ATV3, Netflix and DD. However, just because the DD isn't there doesn't mean all is not well. Because DD is not on iPhone app or on netflix.com directly. But it still is used.

KOT

To get Dolby Digital back whilst this silly bug gets resolved, follow the following instructions:

1. Download the Apple TV 3 ipsw file for the 5.3 version of the firmware. You can get this by going here:

http://www.iclarified.com/970/appletv-firmware-download-locations

2. Put your Apple TV into DFU mode

3. Restore the Apple TV 5.3 firmware which is still being signed by Apple (the only signed versions are the latest as well as 5.3).

This should restore your TV back to an earlier state and at least for the time being bring back DD. I suggest you come back to this thread before upgrading to see if Apple and Netflix ever resolve this issue. 🙂

Downgrading an ATV3 is problematic at best, but there is one way.

Apple only allows the latest ipsw file to be signed, however it appears due to various issues, if you can get hold of the 5.3 Apple TV firmware for your Apple TV 3, you can put your Apple TV in DFU mode and install the older firmware which should in theory restore your DD capability.

Follow the following instructions:

1. Download the Apple TV 5.3 firmware for your Apple TV. Sadly Apple does not allow links on this forum, so Google is your friend.

2. Insert a micro USB cable from the Apple TV into your Mac or PC

3. Place your Apple TV into DFU mode (Menu and down button on your remote together)

4. Using the option key, use iTunes to select the 5.3 firmware and install this onto your Apple TV

5. Wait for the above to install and you are done!

Welcome back Dolby Digital.

I am trying to do this - but for some reason iTunes won't see my Apple TV 3rd generation. I am on a Windows 7 PC.

I don't even see it in device manager when I plus USB in?

You need to put your ATV into DFU mode. Turn it off and on first after connecting the USB.

@matiasnavarro

First, there are 2 models for the Apple TV. The 3,1 - A1427 (2012 release), and 3,2 - A1469 (2013 revision). Mine is A1427. I don't know if this affects the downgrade process. Also, I use a Mac.

Steps:

- downloaded the firmware for my model (3,1) , save it on any folder.

- connected the Apple TV to the Mac via USB (no power)

- connected the power cable to wall and the Apple TV

- iTunes detected the Apple TV and asked for restoration

- Hold Option key and click on the Restore... Button (I don't know if the name is restore but it's the only button)

- Navigate to the folder you downloaded the firmware file , select it, hit OK.

- iTunes start the downgrade, when it's done it asks you to disconnect from the Mac and reconnect on TV/ receiver, whatever

- Configure everything again, wifi, iTunes account, Netflix

- DD 5.1 is back on Netflix, sit back, turn up the volume and enjoy.

Hope this helps.

Well, I was able to get into the DFU mode; but I keep getting error 3104 or some such. I updated itunes to the latest version, but no luck. I think the Apple verification server does not want me to revert to 5.3.

My hardware is the latest revision.

Thank you for your valuable time, unfortunately model A1469 can't be downgraded, error 3194 appears when checking Apple server.

I can't believe how Apple is managing this DD 5.1 Netflix-issue, Apple TV with 6.1.1 software is not more than a bunch of stinky junk!...should we consider Roku, WD, Amazon Fire TV streaming boxes instead?...$ 59.00 smart blurays stream Netflix with DD 5.1 audio excellent :-(

Well I'm back to using my 2 year old Sony BD player for Netflix and it does DD+ 😐

Just remember Apple always knows best. Dolby Digital 5.1 is simply not as good as using pro logic.

iphone_traveller wrote:

You need to put your ATV into DFU mode. Turn it off and on first after connecting the USB.

I tried that - but my Apple TV still isn't recognised in iTunes (or device manager).

Oh well - I am not going to drive myself crazy over this.

If it had been easy I would have done it - but as it hasn't been I will move on for now in the faintly rediculous hope Apple fixes this soon. I would have said Apple/Netflix - but the fact that the earlier Apple firmware reverts to Netflix DD 5.1 would seem to put the ball in Apple's court...

Remember to download the correct firmware 5.3 for your Apple TV. Firstly identify which version of the Apple TV you have using the following Apple web page:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT200008?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Once you know which version you are, choose the correct link.

For the latest Apple TV 3 which has a model number of A1469 choose:

http://appldnld.apple.com/AppleTV/091-5259.20130618.90Rft/AppleTV3,2_5.3_10B809_ Restore.ipsw

For the original Apple TV 3 which has a model number of A1427 choose:

http://appldnld.apple.com/AppleTV/091-5257.20130618.Eu5uy/AppleTV3,1_5.3_10B809_ Restore.ipsw

Apple TV 2 customers should choose the following:

http://appldnld.apple.com/AppleTV/091-5256.20130618.MagBg/AppleTV2,1_5.3_10B809_ Restore.ipsw

If you are having problems putting your Apple TV into DFU mode, watch the following video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkLNldbvExs

Can I also suggest that you power off your Apple TV before connecting it to your computer and placing it into DFU mode. If it does not go into DFU, turn off the Apple TV before turning it back on, wait 1 minute or so for the Apple TV to boot back up before again attempting to put it into DFU mode. Sometimes even cycling the power without waiting helps kick it in.

Just to reiterate my instructions from my post above,

Follow the following instructions:

1. Download the appropriate Apple TV 5.3 firmware for your Apple TV using the links I have supplied above.

2. Turn off your Apple TV.

3. Launch iTunes on your Mac or PC.

4. Insert a micro USB cable from the Apple TV into your Mac or PC.

5. Turn on your Apple TV.

6. Place your Apple TV into DFU mode (Menu and down button on your remote together). If you have problems with this, see the above notes about DFU mode.

7. Apple TV should hopefully now show in iTunes. When clicking the restore button, hold down the option key so that you can select the 5.3 firmware you downloaded earlier and install this onto your Apple TV.

5. Wait for the above to install and you are now back onto the 5.3 firmware.

6. Reconfigure your Apple TV (e.g. Netflix account, YouTube account, general settings, etc). This should only hopefully take a few minutes.

Welcome back Dolby Digital!

I have the latetst Apple TV 3, and this doesn't work. When I want to restore to 5.3 I get 3194 error. Itunes is checking online and it sees that its an older firmware. I tried edit the host file in Windows and tried a program called tinyumbrella. But both don't work, allways get the 3194 error

I have the A1427 so sadly I was personally unable to test against the A1469, although others have reported that is still being signed for the newer device elsewhere on the web. You might want to try downloading several of the older firmwares and trying that.

Obviously none of the 6.x.x builds work, so try 5.2 and 5.2.1 are really all the other alternativres you have. Can I ask that you try the files below and see how you get on?

5.2 can be found here for the A1469:

http://appldnld.apple.com/AppleTV/041-6472.20130128.dUtpr/AppleTV3,2_5.2_10B144b _Restore.ipsw

5.2.1 can be found here for the A1469:

http://appldnld.apple.com/AppleTV/091-2665.20130319.M1nul/AppleTV3,2_5.2.1_10B32 9a_Restore.ipsw

Sadly if none of the above firmware builds work, you are probably out of luck. I would therefore recommend calling Apple and asking them if they will supply you with an ipsw of a non-6.x.x firmware build and go from there.

Let us know how you get on.

Thanks for the help, but no luck. After extracting the file iTunes is verifying the file and then the 3194 error comes. I will try contact Apple and see if they want to help. But thanks again for the help.