Plex Ignores DTS Setting on Chromecast with Google TV (PCM output to receiver)

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#: 1.41.8.9834
Player Version#: 10.28.0.3441

TV: TCL r646 75" (Google TV based, but it actually handles DTS fine and is not the Google Chromecast in question for this post)

Receiver: Sony 590 connected via HDMI eARC

ChatGPT copy paster but looks accurate after checking it – it was helping me understand and debug the issue:

Device: Chromecast with Google TV (4K, latest firmware) plugged in via HDMI to TCL r646 Google TV

Issue:
Even with DTS disabled under Android TV audio settings (Settings > Display & Sound > Surround Sound > Manual → DTS OFF, AC3 ON), Plex continues to Direct Play DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio.

Result:
Audio is sent to the AVR as PCM stereo instead of Dolby Digital 5.1 (expected result: Plex should transcode DTS → AC3).

Expected Behavior:
Plex should detect that DTS is not supported/passthrough is disabled, and transcode DTS audio to AC3 when Direct Play is not viable.

Tested Workaround:

  • Playing an AC3 test file correctly triggers Dolby Digital 5.1 on AVR.
  • Same content played via TCL’s built-in Google TV Plex app or remuxed with AC3 works fine.

The Plex app on the Google Chromecast is using HDMI for audio passthrough.

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This seems like a well known problem. Is there a fix in the works?

The second, older post below says to try optical with DTS passthrough disabled is a work-around.

https://forums.plex.tv/t/chromecast-with-google-tv-4k-not-passing-through-dts-5-1/826037/3

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Alright, optical passthrough with AC3 enabled and DTS disabled works. I guess this isn’t going to be fixed if it’s been 4.5+ years already.

Kind of crappy to debug.

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Oh, and this won’t work well with EAC from my experience. The server will now transcode EAC to AAC with optical and AAC selected.

Where’s the support for this issue?

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