No Atmos support with Denon and Shield 2017

Plex Players Streaming Devices
1
  • Server Version#: 1.22.0.1163
  • Player Version#: Latest version for Shield from Play Store.
  • Denon X4500H
  • Synology NAS

Hello,

I have a 2017 Shield that is updated and a Denon X4500H receiver. I cannot get Atmos to work for any video I play on my Shield but if I play the same files on my Xbox One using the Plex app Atmos works.

I have ensured HDMI passthrough is enabled and I swapped the HDMI cable from my Xbox to my Shield then rebooted the Shield. The cable I normally use is HDMI 2.0 and the stock xbox one (from what I understand) is HDMI 1.4. I have ensured my Shield is set to Auto in advanced audio settings. My Denon is setup to 7.1.2 in the config settings for it. I’ve tried Pure audio settings as well as movie settings and game settings to see if Atmos pulls up. The file is Direct Playing for both Audio/Video when I check the plex app on the Shield and Xbox.

All I can get is Dolby DD+ out of it. Is this due to a HDMI 2.0 cable or something else that I am missing?

2

As long as the hdmi cable supports 2.0 it should be fine, you may need to set the receiver hdmi port mode.

See also plex and shield have separate settings

3

I did see that thread and was following it. I’ll check my Denon for HDMI passthrough to ensure it is enabled.

4

HDMI Passthrough on the Denon is on and I set it to be Nvidia Input but no go. Xbox is still using Atmos.

The one thing I did notice on your screenshot is you have an option on the Shield for “Dolby Audio Processing”. Mine does not have that option.

5

I think that is only for the 2019 model, but otherwise they are the same.

Also, while the Xbox outputs atmos, it does NOT pass through the atmos from plex.

If you look at your server dashboard, you will see that the truehd is being transcoded, and will lose all atmos info.

The receiver will say atmos, but it won’t actually have atmos surround.

Only the Xbox Blu-ray player can pass through truehd + atmos on Xbox.

Games can use Dolby digital or pcm + atmos.

6

That makes sense with the xbox. I still can’t figure out why the Shield won’t play Atmos, or True HD.

7

Get a new hdmi cable, and or triple quadruple check plex + shield + receiver settings, cause it definitely works unless miss configured or wrong cable.

8

I’ll order a 2.1 cable. This is the cable I’m using.

I have verified the Shield settings with the link you provide, all match. The denon is pretty basic when it comes to audio/hdmi settings.

9

Got the new 2.1 cable, still no Atmos. Triple checked settings against the link you shared with me and all are correct. Factory reset the Denon, still no Atmos. Tried a few different movies that all state the are TrueHD 7.1 Atmos or have the word atmos in the title.

I also tried swapping the HDMI to my Xbox which does play Atmos when I tested in Games and a blu-ray, still no go. All I see are these options.

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10

Any other ideas?

11

Am I missing something? I’ve verified atmos works with my Xbox, but can’t get the shield to do Atmos. Factory reset it yesterday and triple checked everything, still no Atmos.

12

Set the Denon to Direct audio (Yellow button on my remote). Edit: Auto works as well.

Play the movie.

Press the INFO button on the remote.

On Screen Display will show what the receiver is getting from the Shield.

Here’s an old post with an example of the Denon on screen display. The parts about the Shield showing direct play/direct stream in the upper left corner are no longer valid. Unfortunately, Plex removed that capability from the Android TV app.

13

Just tried this and still not Atmos from Plex. I’ve tried a few different movies and always get the following. I’ve never seen DTS-HD come up either after checking a bunch of movies.

I normally use Audyssey:

image
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Turned off Audyssey just to check.

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image943Ă—530 114 KB

14

@FordGuy61 will know for sure but If Dynamic Equalizer is some kind of Pseudo surround thing I’m pretty sure it should NOT be on.

15

I’ve tried it on and off, same results.

16

Can you show the media info for the file you are playing in that screenshot?
It suggests the input source is only 5.1

17

I went and downloaded a few of these to test with, I can get true HD to show up, still never says atmos though. The other movies I’ve been trying say they are DDP5.1 Atmos in the title.

I went with the Chamelon one which lists as Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus Atmos.

When I try a DTS:X one I get DTS-HD showing up on the info screen for the Denon.

18

But not for either Atmos?

19

No atmos at all

20

I downloaded the Chameleon video. When I play the TrueHD or EAC3 track, my receiver immediately displays Dolby Atmos. If I play either AC3 track, I hear the “this is not an Atmos audio track” voiceover.

I checked my Denon settings. I did not see anything that would disable Atmos but play TrueHD and EAC3 OK.

Something in the Shield settings?

Here’s the audio settings in my 2015 Pro:
Device Preferences → Display and Sound → Advanced Sound Settings

  • Audio Output = Auto
  • Available Formats = Auto

In Available Formats, all the listed formats, including Dolby Atmos, are enabled. They cannot be changed when set to Auto.

If yours shows Atmos as disabled, you might try switching to manual mode, enabling Atmos, then returning to Auto.