Is anyone having problems with ATV outputting Dolby Digital Plus?

I get PCM 5.1 when set to “Best Available” OR Dolby 5.1 in “the middle”. PCM 5.1 generally regarded as the best fidelity given the uncompressed nature of the file, but there’s a quirk in that not all content is made to support PCM 5.1. The result is an incomplete soundtrack. There are some shows and movies that output no vocals at alL in this mode. This is a flaw. If a show is not recorded in native PCM 5.1 (lossless) than ATV should be “smart enough” to realize that “Best Available” for that specific bit of content be output in Dolby 5.1. In other words, it should change but rather appears to be “fixed” at whatever it perceives to be the best signal your preamp or receiver can support. Most boards cannot support PCM 5.1, FYI.

So do any of you pull Dolby Digital Plus through either “Best Available“ or the center option (which for me is Dolby 5.1? I also have a Roku Ultra 4K and that outputs Digital Digitsl Plus without any issues whatsoever.

Thanks!

Posted on Nov 1, 2017 10:06 PM

26 replies

Nov 8, 2017 6:37 PM in response to bobsfbay

I’m not sure what you are asking, but there is a diagram included which shows HDMI in and 2 HDMIs out. One of the 2 outputs goes to the TV with the full A/V signal, the other HDMI output goes to the AVR with the audio, LPCM multichannel. Not sure about the video to the AVR.

bobsfbay Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 5, 2017 5:05 PM in response to Appledyte

I agree it’s ridiculous but simply know from having talked to many “TV Experts” that audio via ARC can be VERY temperamental and problematic.

Nov 6, 2017 6:04 PM in response to bobsfbay

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074HHSJVN/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1

My solution.

bobsfbay Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 6, 2017 7:08 PM in response to Appledyte

Congrats and nice find! Yep, sure likes that that would do the trick for you.

Cheers,

Nov 8, 2017 10:21 AM in response to bobsfbay

Apparently the SPDIF doesn’t support LPCM 5.1 after all.

Nov 8, 2017 3:40 PM in response to bobsfbay

This one will do it though. Has HDMI audio only output, for $150. Beats buying a new receiver.

https://www.hdtvsupply.com/4k-hdmi-audio-extractor-with-up-down-scaler.html

bobsfbay Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 8, 2017 5:47 PM in response to Appledyte

Nice job. So how will you install it?

Nov 8, 2017 6:49 PM in response to bobsfbay

Output 1 is set to Normal

Output to is set to Audio Only

Other settings (EDID) set to auto

Nov 9, 2017 3:46 AM in response to Appledyte

Output 2 - Audio only

Nov 5, 2017 7:03 PM in response to bobsfbay

That’s because toslink has never supported multichannel LPCM. It does support DD and DD+. In fact the ARC audio specs are identical to the toslink output specs on my Sony. My ARC audio is very consistent for apps that support a given format up to DD+. When the lossless multichannel Audio formats arrived, everything went on HDMI. Apple has stated they have plans to support Dolby Atmos. This will be interesting to see how they do it.

bobsfbay Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 5, 2017 7:12 PM in response to Appledyte

Yep, correct on toslink 100%. I’ll likely never step up to Atmos. My Foundation doesn’t support it and not planning an upgrade board, only a likely new series of preamps next year to support Atmos and 60Hz. Will price between 10k-12k so will be good with what I’ve got. Don’t want to drill holes in my ceiling for the other two speakers either. -:)

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Is anyone having problems with ATV outputting Dolby Digital Plus?