AppleTV 4 surround sound issue

I Applied the update and this did not change how anything g worked for me with 'auto' set. However, with 'Dolby Surround' set it did seem to fix my issues. 2 channel Dolby pro logic encoded tracks now triggers dolby pro logic decoding on my receiver like it used to. Dolby Digital 5.1 always worked for me with 'Dolby surround'.

Also, it appears they have fixed the issue where the AppleTV would no longer automatically select the 5.1 track if the 'fall ack' property. This works differently now, and doesn't show both tracks in the audio menu like it did on the older generation models. Instead it shows a single track like files do that have the fallback property set.

i'll do more testing tonight.

I Applied the update and this did not change how anything g worked for me with 'auto' set. However, with 'Dolby Surround' set it did seem to fix my issues. 2 channel Dolby pro logic encoded tracks now triggers dolby pro logic decoding on my receiver like it used to. Dolby Digital 5.1 always worked for me with 'Dolby surround'.

AAC 2.0, stereo, PL II and AC3 1.0, 2.0, stereo, PL II, and 2.1 all now play as 2.0 PCM content on my system in the "Dolby Surround" mode. I.e., only AC3 5.1 is now passed through for decoding by my receiver, I lose the LFE channel for AC3 2.1 audio tracks, and my receiver no longer automatically decodes AC3 PL II encoded content. Since my DD1.0 mono and DD2.1 ProLogic II audio tracks no longer function properly under the tvOS v9.1 update, I have gone back to using my older TV3 devices and will see if the local store techs can restore either tvOS v9.0 or v9.0.1 software, attempt to return the devices, or gift them to family members having lower expectations regarding device functionality.

Did the 9.1 update fix your issue? I'm having the same problem with TV4 and Onkyo TX-NR809 Receiver. After a few days with ATV audio set to Dolby Digital, the receiver now says Multi-Channel instead of DD. I then lost audio unless I force ATV to Stereo output, AUTO doesn't work either. I can't get it to output DD any more (also tried16bit PCM). I didn't try resetting the unit yet, but did update to 9.1, the problem persists.

Jon Walker wrote:

I Applied the update and this did not change how anything g worked for me with 'auto' set. However, with 'Dolby Surround' set it did seem to fix my issues. 2 channel Dolby pro logic encoded tracks now triggers dolby pro logic decoding on my receiver like it used to. Dolby Digital 5.1 always worked for me with 'Dolby surround'.

AAC 2.0, stereo, PL II and AC3 1.0, 2.0, stereo, PL II, and 2.1 all now play as 2.0 PCM content on my system in the "Dolby Surround" mode. I.e., only AC3 5.1 is now passed through for decoding by my receiver, I lose the LFE channel for AC3 2.1 audio tracks, and my receiver no longer automatically decodes AC3 PL II encoded content. Since my DD1.0 mono and DD2.1 ProLogic II audio tracks no longer function properly under the tvOS v9.1 update, I have gone back to using my older TV3 devices and will see if the local store techs can restore either tvOS v9.0 or v9.0.1 software, attempt to return the devices, or gift them to family members having lower expectations regarding device functionality.

Jon,

There is a discussionin the Handbrake forums that says tracks with the language listed as "Uknown" don't work correctly. You can set the language with Subler and see if that fixes your issue. If it does you may want to put in a Subler feature request or vote for one that allows batch changing of Audio Track options.

I pre-ordered my ATVs from Apple, and was well past the return date, but they were still willing to authorize a return. If you bought from Apple give them a call. I'm still sitting on my RMA to see if this is a permanent fix.

WIth new firmware still no dolby digital plus output. Now the max is 5.1 pcm in Netflix! No 7.1 possibility anymore. Why do I never see a reply in this topic from an Apple employee?

There is a discussion in the Handbrake forums that says tracks with the language listed as "Uknown" don't work correctly. You can set the language with Subler and see if that fixes your issue. If it does you may want to put in a Subler feature request or vote for one that allows batch changing of Audio Track options.

Unfortunately, this is not an issue with meta-designation of language (which are already designated as "English") but rather a problem of how Apple has degraded TV4 audio output with each new tvOS update. For instance, under the tvOS v9.0, an AAC 1.0 "mono" audio track would automatically play correctly through the center channel speaker on my home entertainment system in the "Auto" Surround mode. (True, the receiver did indicate it had an 8-channel connection with the TV4, but the center channel was the only one actually carrying any "active" audio content.) However, when Apple released the TV4 tvOS v9.0.1 update, this all changed. Instead of being applied directly to the 8-channel connection, the AAC 1.0 audio was first processed by the "Stereo" downmix routine and, as a result, was changed to 2.0 mono output and sent to the AVR as "Stereo" PCM which it then played through the Left and Right speakers by the receiver. AC3 1.0 and 2.1 audio was also processed in a similar manner turning mono AC3 into 2.0 mono audio and stripping the LFE channel from 2.1 content in the "Auto" Surround mode. And, since the AVR does not recognize the "Stereo" PCM as a sourced Dolby Digital bitstream, it does not automatically decode/play 1.0 sourced content through the receiver's center channel, play LFE audio if originally present, or automatically apply ProLogic II post-processing to AC3 2.1 sourced tracks originally encoded as active ProLogic II content. This was the primary reason I switched to the "Dolby Surround" Surround output mode for exclusive playback of AC3 bitstreams that were still being sent under tvOS v9.0.1 to the AVR for DD Digital decoding, channelization display, post processing, and final playback through the correct speakers as originally encoded.

Unfortunately, yesterday's TV4 tvOS v9.1 update simply applied the v9.0.1 "Auto" Surround mode strategies to the TV4 "Dolby Surround" mode output. In short, Only 5.1 (or greater "surround" encodes???) are now supported correctly in either the "Auto" or "Dolby Surround" modes. This means that 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, and 2.1 ProLogic II audio tracks are all now treated as 2.0 content in both the "Auto" and "Dolby Surround" modes no matter how they were originally encoded or whether they were encoded in ACC or AC3 compression formats. For me this is a deal breaker. In addition, Apple has not fixed the problem of AC3 5.1 content sometimes becoming "stuck" in a 2-channel output mode and has eliminated the ability for most users to manually switch between AAC and AC3 tracks during playback for comparison purposes under the tvOS v9.1 update. Indeed, I am no longer sure if the TV4 is playing an AAC or an AC3 track when the audio isn't playing as 5.1 surround sound.

I pre-ordered my ATVs from Apple, and was well past the return date, but they were still willing to authorize a return. If you bought from Apple give them a call. I'm still sitting on my RMA to see if this is a permanent fix.

I talked with Apple personnel last night who couldn't really help me and posted a generalized Product Feedback report along with seven Developer Bug Reports earlier today, Had planned to visit the local Apple Store to look at the iPad Pro and check to see if their technicians have the ability to restore tvOS v9.0 or v9.0.1 without automatically reinstalling the v9.1 as per the "normal" restoration process. If not, will ask for a refund on both pre-order and in-store purchases or trade in credits for a half dozen or so TV3 units as Xmas gifts. If they're intransigent regarding the matter, I'll simply gift the TV4 themselves to be rid of them as current Apple "fixes" only seem to be creating newer and worsening Dolby Digital support issues.

TopGun2010 wrote:

WIth new firmware still no dolby digital plus output. Now the max is 5.1 pcm in Netflix! No 7.1 possibility anymore. Why do I never see a reply in this topic from an Apple employee?

If you send a 7.1 input you will get 7.1 channel output. Getting E-AC-3 (DD+) audio to the ATV4gen is the challenge. There's a testing app that will validate your 8 speaker connections and at least two* 7.1 movies in iTunes. You'd have to contact Netflix regarding their DD+ plans but while they use DD+ as a transport I'm not aware that they have any 7.1 content.

As has been discussed at length you cannot currently identify the codec when using Surround-Auto (since the decode step happens in the ATV) which you have to use to get 7.1 output. Of course since you can't transport more than six channels in AC-3 (DD) the reasonable assumption is 7.1 out means E-AC-3 in.

This is a user to user forum. If you want to speak to an Apple employee you can call support or visit an Apple store.

*The latest Terminator and Mission Impossible movies.

Just finished some testing on 9.1 code.

Mission Impossible has a 7.1 audio included, Minions has 5.1.

Upon setting both my Marantz receiver and ATV4 to surround mode auto:

- Mission Impossible audio is being send as 7.1 LPCM

- Minions is being send as 5.1 LPCM

To my believe with 9.0.1 Minions was sent as 7.1 LPCM with only 5.1 channel ocupied with sound.

Though still missing the pass-through mode, above mentioned change will do for now since I do not have tha swap between audio setting on ATV anymore to retrieve the correct signals.

Jon,

If you bought the Apple TV on 11/1/15 or later directly from Apple, then Apple’s Holiday Return Policy should allow you to return them any time now until 1/8/2016. It definitely applies in the US, and I’m not sure about other countries.

Thanks for all the hard work you’ve done in looking deeply into this issue. I’ve already returned by ATV 4G as well… If they could just continue with the same behavior as ATV 2G-3G, it should would help everyone!

Jon Walker wrote:

In short, Only 5.1 (or greater "surround" encodes???) are now supported correctly in either the "Auto" or "Dolby Surround" modes. This means that 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, and 2.1 ProLogic II audio tracks are all now treated as 2.0 content in both the "Auto" and "Dolby Surround" modes no matter how they were originally encoded or whether they were encoded in ACC or AC3 compression formats.

This is actually not the case for me. The update has fixed the Dolby Surround mode issue on my Denon AVR-2311ci so that my receiver sees 2.0 channels and automatically decodes it into Dolby Pro Logic II just like my ATV3G does. 5.1 already worked correctly. Auto for me has not changed for me. 2 Channel audio is sees as 7.1 channels by my receiver, but is correctly decoded into Pro Logic II. 5-Channel audio is seen as 7 Channel audio and reports as 7.1 Multi-Channel Audio. I haven't checked my Denon AVR-1801 yet. I'll try that later tonight.

What kind of receiver do you have?

Jon Walker wrote:

I talked with Apple personnel last night who couldn't really help me and posted a generalized Product Feedback report along with seven Developer Bug Reports earlier today,

Did you buy from Apple, or someone else?

I pre-ordered from the Apple Store, and I called the Apple Online Store customer service number (800-692-7753) to ask for a return. When I explained to them my issue of having to change either ATV or Receiver/TV settings every time I played a video with a different type of Audio track they immediately said they understood my frustration and offered to RMA both devices. The one I bought at Best Buy they wouldn't help me with, but I expected that.

@PorpoiseHork: Strange! You describe symptoms like I noticed in 9.0.1. Sound mode in 'auto' on ATV4 definitely now sends 5.1 or 7.1 channels LPCM to my receiver based upon which content I play from iTunes.

Again, Mission Impossible is sent and detected as 7.1 LPCM by my receiver Marantz SR7010. Minions is send and detected as 5.1 LPCM.

The big advantage of receiving the sound in LPCM is that each upmixer present on my receiver can be used.

If I were to receive DD signal, the receiver could only upmix using Dolby Digital Surround upmixer (so no DTS or Aureo upmixer f.e.).

Having the option to have my receiver decode DD7.1 would be nice but to be honest, the only value it will bring for now is the DD symbol showing in my receiver display 🙂. Being able to upmix 5.1 and 7.1 without having to change settings on my ATV and receiver will do fine for me now.

If you bought the Apple TV on 11/1/15 or later directly from Apple, then Apple’s Holiday Return Policy should allow you to return them any time now until 1/8/2016. It definitely applies in the US, and I’m not sure about other countries.

Thanks for the additional info. Want to talk with local store techs first to see if they can revert tvOS v9.1 back to original v9.0 or v9.0.1 update. Would like to keep the units if possible for improved video rendering. (I.e., they provide improved upscaling of older SD content and jitter-free display at full refresh rates while older TV3 output top out in the HDTV's 120 to 240 Hz range.)

Thanks for all the hard work you’ve done in looking deeply into this issue. I’ve already returned by ATV 4G as well… If they could just continue with the same behavior as ATV 2G-3G, it should would help everyone!

It's really a community effort. Thanks should be directed to everyone participating in these discussions since it is the combined observations and insights that ultimately provide answers and solutions or workarounds.

jvulto wrote:

@PorpoiseHork: Strange! You describe symptoms like I noticed in 9.0.1. Sound mode in 'auto' on ATV4 definitely now sends 5.1 or 7.1 channels LPCM to my receiver based upon which content I play from iTunes.

Again, Mission Impossible is sent and detected as 7.1 LPCM by my receiver Marantz SR7010. Minions is send and detected as 5.1 LPCM.

The big advantage of receiving the sound in LPCM is that each upmixer present on my receiver can be used.

If I were to receive DD signal, the receiver could only upmix using Dolby Digital Surround upmixer (so no DTS or Aureo upmixer f.e.).

Having the option to have my receiver decode DD7.1 would be nice but to be honest, the only value it will bring for now is the DD symbol showing in my receiver display 🙂. Being able to upmix 5.1 and 7.1 without having to change settings on my ATV and receiver will do fine for me now.

The ATV4 has alsways sent 5.1 or 7.1 PCM audio for me in 'auto' mode - the issue was that it would not, and still won't, properly trigger Dolby Digital 5.1 playback. I got 7.1 multi-channel audio instead, and the rear and side channels were swapped. Dolby Pro Logic is decoded correctly. Since all my Apple TV tracks are encoded in Dolby Pro Logic II or Dolby Digital 5.1, I have no issues forcing Dolby Surround to select those formats - it just ensures the tracks are corrected detected and decoded.

This is actually not the case for me.

Was referring to the changes in the manner by which the data is forwarded by the TV4 to the AVR under tvOS v9.0.1 and v9.1 updates. However, if you wish to compare automatic post-processing by different AVRs, then lets look at some differences between your Denon and my Pioneer.

The update has fixed the Dolby Surround mode issue on my Denon AVR-2311ci so that my receiver sees 2.0 channels and automatically decodes it into Dolby Pro Logic II just like my ATV3G does.

Unfortunately, my receiver is programmed differently than yours. My receiver is not programmed to automatically apply Dolby Digital ProLogic II post-processing to Stereo PCM (AAC 2.0 sourced); "multichannel" (DD5.1, DD+7.1, 5.1 PCM, or 7.1 PCM); or AC3 1.0, 2.0, or 2.1 audio content. It only applies automatic Dolby Digital ProLogic II post-processing to AC3 "active" DD PL II encoded audio. (I.e., this is an older, pre-Dolby ATMOS, pre-4K UHD 60p/4:4:4@18 Gbps throughput, pre-etc. receiver model which I have yet to update.) Therefore...

Under tvOS v9.0.1 and operating in the "Dolby Surround" mode, my AAC 1.0, 2.0, stereo, and DD PL II content was sent over a DD5.1 connection between the TV4 and my AVR with only the Left and Right 5.1 channels populated with audio. As you will note above, this did not activate any automatic post-processing or enhanced audio routines. Using the same TV4 and AVR settings with an AC3 sourced audio track sent the AC3 bitstream data in its original encoded form (1.0, 2.0, stereo, 2.1, active DD ProLogic II, or DD 5.1) to my receiver for decoding and playback. As a result, 1.0 audio played through the center channel speaker; 2.0 and stereo content played through the left and right front speakers; 2.1 tracks played through the left, right, and LFE speakers; active DD PL II played as 3.1 with or without "surround" speakers as originally encoded; and DD5.1 played normally through the 5 front and surround speakers along with LFE. Thus, I sat, fat, dumb,, and happy—not even aware that others were using receivers that automatically enhanced any or all 2-channel audio inputs. (I.e., my receiver makes me turn on such enhancement features manually if I want them used.)

Under tvOS v9.1 and operating in the same TV4 "Dolby Surround" mode, both AAC and AC3 1.0, 2.0, stereo, 2.1, and Dolby Digital ProLogic II content is pre-processed by a routine (probably the "Stereo" mode downmix routine) before being passed to my receiver as "Stereo" PCM (i.e., the same connection used by older TV devices for AAC sourced audio tracks). Thus, any 2-channel audio content (or "multichannel" content output in the "Stereo" mode) sourced by your TV4 should now trigger automatic audio enhancement if your receiver is so capable (as you have already stated) while the "pseudo-5.1" playback of your DD PL II audio under tvOS v9.0.1 would automatically disable automatic post-processing of "multichannel" content. I.e., use of a 5.1 multichannel" connection between the TV4 and your AVR (whether they carry 6 channels of audio or only two) to carry your 2-channel DD PL II audio under tvOS v9.0.1 tells your receiver that no automatic post-processing is required.

5.1 already worked correctly.

As previously noted, sourced AC3 5.1 is passed in its original bitstream form under both v9.0.1 and v9.1 allowing your receiver to handle the decoding and playback correctly on its own.

Auto for me has not changed for me. 2 Channel audio is sees as 7.1 channels by my receiver, but is correctly decoded into Pro Logic II. 5-Channel audio is seen as 7 Channel audio and reports as 7.1 Multi-Channel Audio.

I see a number of changes in the "Auto" mode. Under v9.0, and v9.0.1, audio data was sent over a 7.1 "pseudo-connection." I.e., the receiver always indicated a 7.1 connection but only carried "active" audio channels based on the sourced audio tracks. Under v9.0 the audio appears to have been "impressed" directly on the same channels as the sourcing content. E.g., an AAC 1.0 audio track was placed on the center channel of the 7.1 connection. However, under v9.0.1, the same AAC 1.0 audio is preprocessed and changed to 2.0 mono before being sent via a "Stereo" PCM connection. However, "multichannel" content always skips "Auto" mode pre-process under all three tvOS releases. However, under v9.0 and v9.0.1 my receiver always indicated a 7.1 PCM connection and never indicated any LFE processing. On the other hand, under the latest v9.1 release, DD5.1 sourced content now actually displays as a 5.1 PCM connection and correctly displays active LFE processing on my receiver. Unfortunately, all 1.0, 2.1, and Dolby Digital ProLogic II content is still pre-processed under v9.1 before being sent to my receiver as "Stereo" PCM the same as using the "Dolby Surround" mode so I still have my problems in either mode.

What kind of receiver do you have?

Am currently running an older Pioneer VSX-1120 but am considering the purchase of one of the Pioneer Elite VSX-90 series models. As I previously noted, its features are rapidly becoming outmoded and it may be time to upgrade soon.

Did you buy from Apple, or someone else?

I purchased units through both the Apple On-line Store and the local Apple Store near my home. (I.e., the local store was stocked three days before pre-order purchases were scheduled to be delivered—even paying for 1-Day delivery.)

Steve's method worked for me. I'm getting Dolby Digital output from Netflix now.