Audio stutter changing channels

Channels Apple TV
#1

I run my ATV direct to a Samsung/Harmon Kardon soundbar and then to the TV. Whenever I change channels the audio is not stable for the first few seconds, cuts in and out several times and then is fine. The picture is always stable. Does anyone else see this? I don't notice this on ATV's that only go to a TV using the internal speakers. Just on the soundbar.

I have tried all the drivers, turned the Match functions on and off and every other combination of setting I can think of to no result.

This does not happen with any other apps on the ATV. Even when changing from SDR to Dolbyvision on Netflix or any other source its stable. Stopping and starting programs on Netflix, Prime, Hulu is butter smooth. Only Channels seems to have an issue with the audio stream.

#2

OTA only or TVE also?

Does official HDHR app work?

#4

Happens to all sources, TVE or locals.

#5

Will have to try HDHR app later. Wife watching Hallmark movie :slight_smile: :grinning:

#6

I missed the first half of your reply about TVE or OTA. Was cut off my phone. That's why I said TVE won't work on that app. My bad. Yes I hear this on any source that comes thru Channels, but only on the Soundbar. My son uses a similar setup, but with a Sonos Arc and he says he also hears this from time to time.

#7

Also curious if it happens with OTA and tuner sharing off

#8

Tuner sharing on or off same result. I thought the same too, turned it off and I thought it was fine, but after a few channel changes I heard it again. BTW DVR has been on three different devices in the past month, each one faster and more powerful, but no effect on the issue. Current server is a 4 core Mac mini with a video card that can handle hardware transcoding and deinterlacing. No other programs run on the Mac, its dedicated to Channels. Internet is 1 gig ATT fiber. Mini is hardwire connected to switch direct to ATT ONT. So I don't think its an issue with horsepower.

ATV's are all 4k Gen 2.

DVR and all ATV's are on latest stable release, no betas.

#9

Tried HDHR. Audio sometimes dips once for a fraction of a second. Very different from Channels app, which will cut in and out several times each time for up to a second.

1 Like
#10

I made a discovery today. I forgot that the output of the ATV goes to an HDMI splitter before hitting the Soundbar. Splitter feeds the TV and the Soundbar. Removing the splitter seems to eliminate the audio stutter, but brings back the reason I put in the splitter. Soundbar can get hung up when the video mode changes from SDR to Dolbyvision and stops passing video thru. Putting in the splitter solved that.

So I guess it’s the splitter not locking on the audio stream quickly. But odd that it only shows this issue when using Channels. So maybe not a Channels bug or maybe something in the Channels audio driver is just not handshaking with the splitter.

I used this: https://jtechdigital.com/product/mro-hdmi-18g-1x2-splitter/

#11

Strange. I'm not sure what we can change here to make a difference. We don't negotiate with audio devices, that's all done by tvOS.

Does turning off surround sound in the app make a difference?

Do infuse, Plex or VLC have issues?

#12

I don’t use any of those. I can download them and see what they do.

#13

Could you upload a short video to Dropbox - Submit files demonstrating the issue?

#14

No issues with plex. Audio is stable. Video file uploading now.

#15

I tried another experiment. Changed ATV output to RGB high and removed the splitter and the stutter stopped. Also I no longer get my soundbar freaking out when the video changes from SDR to Dolbyvision. So something about YcBcr is involved here. Side benefit is RGB removes the green push that YcBcr has.

#16

So any thoughts on why Channels is the only app I get the stutter with? I don’t mind the non kosher settings that are hiding the issue but since no other app on the ATV has an issue with std settings it still points to something that is different.

#17

@tmm1 @eric there is definitely something wrong with the audio. audio crackles if left streaming, volume fluctuates, etc. have to restart the stream to fix it for a while. all sources, iphone, ipad, apple tv.
diagnostics submitted.

#18

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