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No Dolby Digital Apple TV 3 firmware 6.1 (6698.99.16)

I was running the above firmware on my main appletv, and noticed that Dolby Digital (DD) over spdif had stopped working, both in netflix and when streaming from itunes on my computer. I then took my daughters appletv and connected it to my receiver through spdif, and now DD worked, my daughters appletv was running firmware 5.3 (6105). I tried software resetting my main unit a couple of times, but that did not help. Lastly I updated my daughters appletv to firmwar 6.1, and then DD stopped working on that unit too...

Since then I have cuorisly found that DD is now working on my main unit, when I stream movies from itunes, but still not when watching a netflix-movie...

Anyone out there who have had the same problem?

Cheers Perer

Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Mar 19, 2014 2:34 PM

446 replies

Apr 3, 2014 7:39 PM in response to Tony Davenport

Also HBO GO doesnt do DD either...so Its not just Netflix..its everything

Apr 4, 2014 7:52 AM in response to pebulus

pebulus wrote:

I've downgraded mine to iOS 6.1.4 (which I think is 5.x in AppleTV terms)

I downgraded my daughters as well, so now DD is back. I am missing PBS though...

I couldn't find the 6.1.4 version, but I am running a version of 5.3 - http://appldnld.apple.com/AppleTV/091-5257.20130618.Eu5uy/AppleTV3,1_5.3_10B809_ Restore.ipsw

Now I am just waiting for the official fix.

zroger73

Level 1

0 points

Apr 4, 2014 7:58 AM in response to peter aagaard

Excuse me if I missed this somewhere in the last 8 pages, but has anyone actually called Apple regarding this issue? I see where several of us have contacted Netflix.

Apr 4, 2014 8:33 AM in response to rbryant76

Ah, it certainly does still work with HBO Go, you better check you system out!

As far as I can tell its only Netflix that is not working.

Apr 4, 2014 8:37 AM in response to peter aagaard

downgraded to 5.3 as well. dolby digital is back! your move Apple 😉

Apr 4, 2014 3:24 PM in response to zroger73

I called Apple; they pointed the finger at Nteflix. I called Netflix; they pointed the finger at Apple. They both pointed the finger at my internet servce provider ehon in turn pointed it back at them

Everone agreesa there is a probelm, but who owns the fix

ad5901

Level 1

20 points

Apr 4, 2014 3:56 PM in response to stevo1234321

My Apple TV is too far away from the computer. Can I downgrade to 5.3 from a USB flash drive and how do I know which version Apple TV box I have?

Apr 4, 2014 4:53 PM in response to peter aagaard

Peter, I'd love to "downgrade" like you did. I click on your link and it automatically downloaded a "ipsw" file (Icon looks like a Lego cube with musical notes on side). However, I don't know what to do next to apply the change. Clicking on the icon switches the application to iTunes, but then...nothing. What step(s) am I missing? Thanks very much!

Apr 4, 2014 5:26 PM in response to bubblepuppy369

Shift-click (PC) or option-click (Mac) the restore button in iTunes and navigate to the downloaded firmware.

Apr 4, 2014 8:28 PM in response to mikefromenglewood

I have an ATV 3 and I can't find a USB port on it. How would I downgrade?

Apr 5, 2014 1:09 AM in response to bubblepuppy369

bubblepuppy369 wrote:

Peter, I'd love to "downgrade" like you did. I click on your link and it automatically downloaded a "ipsw" file (Icon looks like a Lego cube with musical notes on side). However, I don't know what to do next to apply the change. Clicking on the icon switches the application to iTunes, but then...nothing. What step(s) am I missing? Thanks very much!

Hi,

As far as I know you have to make sure, that you have the right version of the Apple TV. My daughters A1427 can be downgraded to 5.3, while my A1469 cannot. You can find the model numbers on the bottom of the unit (very, very small letters... :-) ).

Next you connect the apple tv to your PC or Mac with an USB-cable. The USB port is beneath the hdmi port on the back. Fire up itunes, and when itunes have found the apple tv, you can downgrade it via "Shift-click (PC) or option-click (Mac) the restore button in iTunes and navigate to the downloaded firmware."

Hopes this helps.

Cheers Peter

Apr 5, 2014 3:44 AM in response to peter aagaard

I was on live chat with Netflix teh other day and the advisor stated Netflix themselves are working on fixing and it would be updated automatically which suggest it won't need a new software update to ATV to fix it. Maybe it's like the ipad/iphone where apps can update indepentantly?

Apr 5, 2014 11:20 AM in response to peter aagaard

Peter—Thanks so much. That clears everything up, except (alas) the configuration of the USB port on the ATV. I thought I had every cord kind in existence, but I don't have that one (too small).

Apr 5, 2014 11:28 AM in response to bubblepuppy369

It is a micro USB cable. Available virtually anywhere.

Apr 5, 2014 4:42 PM in response to peter aagaard

There is no problems with any Amp. or Settings on any Home Theatre set up...its just the 5.1 DD sound via ATV..Netflix etc has been blocked with this new upgrade. It only now outputs 2 channel PCM.

I replaced my main ATV with a second spare I have and had not upgraded to 6.1 and it still works fine. I have blocked any upgrade on this second one until ATV fixes the "glitch" relating to DD 5.1 sound on the new upgrade which I think was end of march 2014.

No Dolby Digital Apple TV 3 firmware 6.1 (6698.99.16)