I was told through mail I could expect a staff employee to dig into my issues when I posted them here, so I am really counting on that
Server Version#: Ubuntu 1.18.6.2368
Player Version#: 2.14
I am experiencing two major audio problems with 7.1 audio:
When using the Enhanced Media Player, on TrueHD 7.1 (Atmos) tracks, the surround channels and rear surround channels are switched, this is not the case with the enhanced option off. It really disrupts a movie experience when, for example, a cannonball from behind sounds at the left and right surround channel…
When playing DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio, the tvOS media player only receives the main 5.1 track, even though it says direct play or direct stream on the server side. This is with both enhanced media player enabled and disabled. My receiver is capable of 7.1, which it receives with a TrueHD track, so the problem seems to be the server/player.
Also, I have a couple of multi-part videos in my library. These video’s do not play continuously but buffer when switching to the next part, and there appears a loading circle for a couple of seconds. I really think the next part should already buffer before the first part has completely played to have the best movie experience possible. It also does this when switching from the preroll (the first video) to the actual movie. The TrueHD and IMAX movies are ‘parts 1 and 2’ of the movie. Ihave a movie of this issue, but I cannot upload it. So here is a wetransfer upload: https://we.tl/t-sPUeI3OOC6.
It’s expected that we’d only decode the DTS core for DTS-HD tracks, as we cannot decode the HD portion. We can decode TrueHD, which is why you get 7.1 there. I’ll need to refer the switched audio channels though. Can you provide a sample file where you get the audio channel mismatch?
Alright. What is the reason you cannot decode that? Infuse and VLC seem to have no problem with that, so this should technically be possible? I have three files here (2 TrueHD files, 1 DTS-HD MA file). On both of the TrueHD files you can hear the switched channels when enabling the enhanced player. When disabling that, or playing the files through infuse or another app you do get the right channel layout. Test video files
Well, different apps are allowed to decode different things depending on the status of those codecs, and who owns them. I never said it was a technical limitation.
Hi @DaveBinM, I was wondering if there is any progress from the Apple Engineers so far?
Also, are there any plans to support the DTS-HD MA Codec in the future?
And would you know if multi-part playback is something that will be improved or isn’t that a priority at the moment?
I’m sure you’ve been asked but I can’t find anything. I keep getting small audio lapses. It’s a microsecond. But it happens often and at random times. I have an Apple TV 4K.
@Patrick1610@DaveBinM I’m experiencing the same issue where the surround and rear surround channels are switched on TrueHD 7.1 tracks. Enhanced Media Player enabled.
Server: Ubuntu 1.19.1.2701
Player: Apple TV 4K 2.16 (14822)
I just noticed my receiver got a 7-channel input from a 7.1 DTS-HD MA audio track. So it seems that the second point of my original post is fixed in one of the updates. Can anyone from Plex confirm that?
I just noticed that the TrueHD problem is fixed and according to the release notes that is correct! Really happy that this is dealt with, thanks!
@DaveBinM I know that the DTS this is intentional, but is it likely that this wil be changed/added in the future? Really nice to enjoy 7.1 audio on all movies which have that available
I honestly don’t know if/when things may change with DTS variants. The challenge with DTS are less about the technical side, per se, than availability to use them.
Ah, I didn’t know it was that bad with the availability.. Well, I’ll keep hoping!
I’ll close this topic since the only aspect that is really an issue has been fixed.
One small tip:
This support page implies that the side channels are muted when playing 5.1 over a 7.1 setup. In fact, this is not right. When playing 5.1 over a 7.1 setup, the surround channels are audible on both the side and back surround speakers. In my opinion, that is better than silencing two speakers, but the support page is incorrect
