DTS-HD MA Passthrough Broken on Sony TV

[brettflix2k]

Server Version#: 1.41.2.9134
Player Version#: 10.23.0.1627

When attempting to play files with DTS-HD MA audio tracks from the Plex app on my Sony Bravia 9 TV, the video plays find but the audio cuts in and out several times per second. My receiver (connected to the TV via eARC), correctly sees that is receiving a DTS-HD MA audio signal but the codec indicator flashes on and off with the audio.
Setup: Plex app running on Sony Bravia 9 -(eARC)-> Denon x4800h

If I use a Nvidia Shield or PC connected to the TV, to play the same file, the audio passes through the TV without issue and is successfully recognized as DTS-HD MA and played by the receiver.
Setup: Plex app running on NVIDIA Shield / PC -(HDMI)-> Bravia 9 -(eARC)-> Denon x4800h

If I use the native Sony ‘Media Player’ app to play the file locally on the TV it also is recognized by the receiver and played successfully.
Setup: File on USB memory → Sony Media Player on Bravia 9 -(eARC)-> Denon x4800h

If I set Plex on the TV to not use passthrough over HDMI, it plays back successfully and is reported by my receiver as a Dolby Digital signal.

This issue happens with most files that have DTS-HD MA audio although the severity of the problem seems to vary.

Logs attached - Relevant playback occurred between 10:07 and 10:08 pm
Plex Media Server Logs_2024-11-12_22-08-37.zip (945.5 KB)

Evidence points to the issue being with the Plex video player on the Sony TV:

1. Passthrough from the Shield and PC rules out HDMI cable bandwidth issue, file corruption, and a Plex server issue
2. Passthrough from the TV’s built-in app rules out possible hardware issue with the TV, and further validates that the file is good
3. Passthrough with the Shield indicates the issue is possibly unique to the app’s functionality on the Sony Bravia 9

Eager to hear if there are any insights to be gleaned from review of the logs!

[City-Cobra]

Same problem here?

DTS-HD-MA flapping on Denon 2800X

It was this passage which confused. If there is no Nvidia Shield involved, then mentioning it was not necessary. it only served to confuse as we have a lot of Researching the A95L yields: The audio dropouts (flapping) are a known issue with the Sony https://www.avsforum.com/threads/sony-a95l-earc-audio-dropout.3294127/

Got it here from JudgeBread

Does Plex Player Passtrough work on Sony Bravia 9 and TA-AN1000 with DTS:X and True HD Atmos?

I have the same TV and had some figuring out to do with DTS-HD-MA as well. See my thread here: DTS-HD-MA flapping on Denon 2800X - #4 by ChuckPa Since then everything works flawless.

[JudgeBread]

@brettflix2k If you disable passthrough in the Plex app, it will transcode the audio and the issue is gone of course. You will NOT get proper Dolby or DTS. As described in my thread that @City-Cobra has linked: Press wrench on the tv remote, go to audio settings, put Digital Audio Out on AUTO, NOT passthrough. This is a TV setting. Sony somehow effed this up and setting it on passthrough causes issues. Auto is fine and the audio will be handed correctly to your Denon.

[brettflix2k]

On my set, the issue seems to be a Plex issue.

I have confirmed that using the TV’s Sony Media Player (also based on ExoPlayer) the audio is passed through properly.

This seems to suggest that the problem is with the Plex player. Although I will concede that the fact the Shield can pass DTS HD MA through suggests the issue may be unique to how the app interfaces with the Sony hardware.