Server Version#: 1.29.2.6364
Player Version#: 9.13.137459
Server: Audio is set to HDMI passthrough
TV: Sony A80J
Soundbar: Sony HT 5000 - supports Dolby Atmos , DTS-X format, DTS HD 7.1…
Dolby Atmos issue
I can play movies with dolby atmos sound track through netflix, disney+, bravia core(dts x) but plex always tries to convert to AC3 or EAC3 when the sound bar already supports it. I have Googled this issue several times. Several users have reported the same issue in reddit or plex forums. I believe this is a plex server or plex client app issue.
DTS X or DTS HD 7.1 or DTS 5.1 HD MA - sound dropping sometimes
While playing DTS sound track directly from plex through sound bar the sound drops while playing high volume sounds. (this issue is prominent on certain movies on my side and easy to reproduce) The sound will cut off a few secs and in some cases it cuts off every 5 secs and it is not possible to watch after that. Several users have reported the same issue in reddit or plex forums. I believe this is a plex server or plex client app issue.
I am happy to provide logs or assist with debugging with whatever the engineering team needs to resolve this issue. I am a software engineer and can provide decent help.
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos: Used by streaming apps such as Netflix.
TrueHD Atmos: Found on Blu-ray discs.
The Plex app will passthrough Dolby Digital Plus Atmos to the soundbar.
TrueHD Atmos will be transcoded by Plex Media Server. No TV permits TV based apps to pass TrueHD Atmos to audio equipment via HDMI-eARC. It is a TV manufacturer, not Plex, restriction.
If you want TrueHD Atmos and DTS audio to direct play, acquire a Nvidia Shield Pro (not “tube”) and attach it to a HDMI input on the TV or the soundbar.
Unlike LG or Samsung TVs, the Sony will passthrough TrueHD and dts-HD/:X audio from HDMI attached devices. See Sony A80J review at rtings.com and search for Audio Passthrough.
The Shield non-Pro “tube” model has problems with high bit-rate media such as 4K HDR disc rips.
Thanks, @FordGuy61 for the info on Dolby Atmos. I didn’t know that there are two versions of it.
DTS HD MA 7.1 audio hiccup issues - I tried plex client on the roku ultra player. I don’t see any DTS HD MA 7.1 audio hiccup issues. It played beautifully. It looks like the plex client on Sony TV(Google TV) is not working correctly for some reason.
Dolby true HD - When I tried Dolby True HD 7.1 on roku ultra, it still converted to EAC3. It looks like I really should buy the Nvidia Shield Pro to play dolby TrueHD files.
There are two other options. However, (personal opinion) neither are as desirable as the Shield.
The Xbox will also passthrough TrueHD + Atmos audio. I have never used Plex on an Xbox. From what I’ve read in the forum, the Shield makes a better Plex client.
At some point in the future, the Amazon Fire TV Cube v3 will be a viable alternative to the Shield. It has the capability to passthrough DTS-HD and TrueHD audio. However, Plex has to update the Android TV client first. There is a beta version of the client, but early reports indicate there are still some kinks to work out.
Just wanted to let you know there are a couple of other options.
