Audio only playing 2 of the 5.1 channels

Plex Players Streaming Devices
1

Server Version#: 1.18.9.2578
Player Version#:7.30.1.16475

Audio is only playing 2 of the 5.1 channels. This is not playing stereo as many channels such as voice channels are missing while playing back. The amp/receiver however shows that it’s only playing 2 channels. If I change my android TV settings to stereo sound it works but obviously only plays stereo audio but at least all the channels play through the 2 channels.

If I use Plex on my PS4 to the same server it works with perfect 5.1 audio.
Also if I try Netflix on the same android TV box it also plays in perfect 5.1 with the Amp/Receiver showing 5.1 channels.

I also tried setting the audio to pass through via HDMI as well as disabling that setting with the same results.

2

how is your amp/receiver connected to your Android box?

  • Android TV -[HDMI]-> A/V receiver --[HDMI]-> TV
  • Android TV -[HDMI]-> TV -[HDMI ARC]-> A/V receiver
  • something else?
3

That would be android TV - hdmi - TV - SPDIF - AV Receiver

I am pretty sure this used to work as well. I changed nothing.

4

hmm… running out of ideas… I haven’t seen such behavior before.

5

Hi munchmuch, are you using a Shield TV? Because I am having the exact same problem with Plex on my Shield TV. My sound bar only supports AC3, but I have some files that I play in Plex which are using non-AC3 audio formats. When I play them, there is some audio but channels are missing (same as you - dialogue is always missing). Originally I thought Plex was sending the non-AC3 format straight to my equipment, but I think what may be happening is that it’s outputting 5.1 PCM. The problem is that my setup only supports AC3 and 2.0 PCM, so it makes sense that the extra PCM channels would not make it to my speakers.

The problem is that I can’t see how to force the Shield Plex client to either transcode to AC3, or to simply output stereo. My Shield’s surround sound audio settings are set to AC3 only, and I have the “upmix stereo to 5.1 PCM” option disabled. Like you I also have a game console (Xbox One), and when I play those same files on the Xbox One the audio works perfectly. My Xbox is also set to output AC3 only.

Did you ever find a solution to this problem? I’d love to know if you did.

6

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