Dolby Atmos Support

Channels DVR Server
#3

When you say “other apps” I assume you mean Disney+ and Netflix. Those are using eac3+atmos data.

Your import is likely using TrueHD uncompressed audio + Atmos data. They’re very different and Apple TV can neither decode TrueHD nor can it pass it through.

Our video player mixes down these tracks to multichannel and tvOS sends it out over multilchannel PCM like it does for everything.

So you’re not getting the best of that audio track, but it’s certainly not 2 channel surround and it’s still pretty great.

#4

Yes, those two apps actually. Okay, that makes sense. I’m new to Atmos content and devices, but that helps. Thanks!

#5

What about audio passthru for android or shield players. That would allow atmos on capable recievers or sound bars?

#6

Does Channels DVR support Atmos/EAC3 on firetv devices ?

#7

Yes, EAC3 passthrough is supported on Android with the latest betas.

Support for Atmos playback on tvOS is now available in beta as well.

3 Likes
#8

I'm sure most know this, but if you enable Atmos on a Apple tv you lose DD on non Atmos content. You will get multi channel PCM

1 Like
#9

Not entirely true.

You will lose the conversion to bitstream DD (so your receiver won't show DD), but DD will still be output over PCM. You don't really "lose" it.

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#10

And yes, before you say anything, it's one of the most annoying parts of living with an AppleTV. I can understand why they went this way, but not making it an option is just soooooooo Apple "you're holding it wrong" nonsense.

#11

Since the 12.1.22 build that added Atmos I'm having trouble with some movie rips that have Atmos playing to a HomePod mini pair set as default audio output. The video starts for a second without audio, stops, and then 10-15 seconds later a second of audio plays without any additional video. I can rewind or fast forward and nothing changes except a frozen frame shown on screen, and I can't bring up stats either.

Diagnostics submitted. It does seem to be a HomePod-specific issue because playback is fine through the built-in TV speakers.

1 Like
#12

Reproduced, thanks. What a PITA these speakers are..

2 Likes
#13

Yeah, sorry to be the bearer of constant bug reports! Thanks for doing your best to support this setup, which I feel is only going to get more popular. HomePod support in Channels is much better today than it was even just a month ago.

And FWIW I don't personally think Atmos adds much when using the minis, although I imagine folks with a stereo pair of full-sized HomePods would appreciate it.

#14

oh man, i just bought a bunch of minis for atv speakers. hope you figure it out.

#15

tvOS claims atmos is available under Settings > Video and Audio > Audio Format, even when a pair of minis is set as default output (same room in homekit). I only have the minis so I'm not sure if the OG homepods do a better job of playing atmos content.

Anyway, I got atmos playback working on my office minis and a new build is uploading with that fix. It still freezes up if you try to seek though. Works fine on regular speakers, so still investigating that one

2 Likes
#16

Seeking should work now. Let me know if it's usable now.

2 Likes
#17

Is this working?

#18

Just submitted diagnostics from the latest tvOS beta, I'm getting 2-3 dropped frames/sec from a 24fps TV show that has atmos. Connected to HomePod minis as usual :sweat_smile:

I don't have the frame drops in the app store version.

#19

I'm still experiencing issues seeking with the OG HomePods.

#20

Yes I am aware. There are several bugs in tvOS causing lots of headaches. I am in contact with Apple engineering about these issues.

It seems like the best option for homepod pairs (mini or OG) is to add as default output (same room in homekit) and use the default audio driver.

1 Like
#21

Is the issue you describe also cause the audio to drop when going into pip? The only way to get the audio back is to kill pip or toggle the audio from the drop down menu in full screen.

Thanks.

#22