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I cannot get my Apple TV to output Dolby digital audio

I got my new Apple TV and hooked it up. The HDMI cable goes to my Pioneer surround sound Dolby 5.1 receiver. I have the Apple TV audio settings set for Dolby 5.1. Every source on the Apple TV I've tried is only outputting stereo. I've tried HBO movies that I *know* are Dolby, but my Pioneer receiver says "stereo" on the front panel. Every other device I have which includes an Amazon Firestick, Xfinity X1 cable box, Sony DVD player will output Dolby. When I select one of these sources my Pioneer will display "Digital" on the front panel and I will indeed hear surround sound. When I switch the input on the Pioneer receiver to Apple TV the Pioneer display switches to "stereo" and I only hear audio out of two front speakers! This isn't right! Note: I replaced an Apple TV 3rd generation with this newer 4th generation unit. When I hook back up the 3rd generation Apple TV I get surround sound, the display on the Pioneer receiver says "digital". So, What is going on???? HELP!!

Posted on Oct 13, 2017 4:50 PM

Best reply

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,548 points

Posted on Oct 16, 2017 5:15 PM

When you say you know the HBO movie has Dolby, is that because it worked ok on previous ATV?

Streaming services won't always provide DD with a stream even if other devices do offer the stream with DD.

Many if not all itunes movie previews are stereo and don't give DD.

Don't suppose you have an iTunes purchased movie with DD to test - maybe consider a cheap rental to test it - don't have HBO app in UK so don't know if you may be able to choose stereo vs surround in that app, but iTunes movies will have a drop down to choose subtitles/audio track.

I don't know your Pioneer model, but it may have an input setting for HDMI audio - this might need to be configured.

Audio on AppleTV is a moving goalpost and things have changed a lot since ATV 4 came out, they are clearly taking it a bit more seriously but I suspect few of us really like the DD re-encoding which is used to merge in system sounds etc.

Have you tried the best quality available audio setting? It might just work if the Pioneer can understand linear PCM (assuming this is not just for iTunes purchases/rentals).

Surround sound settings on your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV (4th generation) - Apple Support

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17 replies

rsneddis

Level 1

4 points

Dec 25, 2017 3:57 PM in response to markcooperstein

Ugh, same issue with me, ATV4k and Denon x3300w. No matter what I've tried, I only get Stereo output. I'm totally at a loss. I'm on 11.2.1.

naa0824

Level 1

4 points

Jan 23, 2018 9:10 AM in response to Appledyte

Appledyte - The problem is, that when you set it to Dolby 5.1 I'm still not getting Dolby Digital Plus like it states in the specs for Apple TV. Apple needs to fix this.

I cannot get my Apple TV to output Dolby digital audio