I’m having an issue with the Plex app on my Shield TV device which will only output my films 5.1 audio streams in stereo.
Just set it all up yesterday. This is my set up:
Shield TV (2020) Model P3430 - HDMI to Sony KDL-55EX503
Sound: Optical output from Sony TV to Yamaha AV Receiver RX-V361 (Optical only inputs)
Installed PLEX app Version 8.27.2.29938
My problem is that all my 5.1 files (AAC 5.1) will only appear as stereo through my AV system.
Unlike the Netflix app which is playing in 5.1
On my previous ROKU with PLEX app which ran through the same set up there was no issue with the sound.
I have played around with all the Advanced sound settings in the Plex app on the Shield device - tried every combination, but it always plays out as Stereo. I’ve also looked up various threads but nothing to fix the issue. Now, I know that my set up is not ideal, but the fact that Netflix works and the older Roku Plex app worked is bugging me. Surely, more up to date Plex apps will have resolved this issue.
Make sure your TV is set for 5.1 passthrough for your shield HDMI input. If your TV is older and does not send HDMI capabilities, you may need to go into the shield settings and manually set your audio capabilities.
Hi, yes, I have tried the above. Played with all the advanced sound settings on the Shield, including Manual settings and still no joy. And if I don’t use the Auto setting on Shield then I also lose Netflix 5.1
The thing is the 5.1 passthrough is working for the Netflix app on installed on Shield, it’s the Plex app that only sends a stereo signal.
What TV settings are available for sending audio via the optical interface?
The TV manual I found online is very basic and does not provide information about the setup menus.
Edit: Please give this a try.
If you’ve changed anything, return the Shield to its default audio settings (i.e. Auto instead of selecting individual codecs).
In the Plex app settings:
Enable logging
Note the URL overlaid in the bottom right corner. It will be needed later to pull the log file.
Passthrough = Optical
In Optical Encodings, select both AC3 & DTS codecs (this appears only when passthrough = optical)
Using the Plex app, play a video with an AC3 5.1 audio track. Verify the Yamaha is receiving AC3 5.1 audio. Also check that the audio is direct playing in Plex Dashboard → Now Playing.
Using the Plex app, play a video with an AAC 5.1 audio track.
What audio format is the Yamaha receiving - PCM 2.0, AC3 5.1, etc?
What is displayed in Plex Dashboard → Now Playing? Is the audio direct playing, transcoding (to which format), etc.
Stop playback. Do not exit the Plex app on the Shield (or you cannot pull the log file).
Pull the Plex app log file from the Shield. http://shield_ip_address:32500/logging (displayed in lower right corner of settings screen). Save the web page as a text file and attach it to the thread.
Okay. I now have it working.
The settings you suggested = Optical passthrough - encoding AC3 and DTS
I should have been clearer in my original post as to how my Plex is set up. It’s actually streaming from a Nas in a different location over the internet.
So, all my problems seems to have been ‘streaming’ issues
My Broadband is not very good, so when I adjusted the streaming quality - the sound issue became apparent. Set too high and the sound is downgraded to PCM stereo - but set at lower streaming quality, the sound was coming through at 5.1 - I have found a happy medium quality wise so that the both picture and sound is working.
Thanks for your help.
