Server Version: 1.32.7.7621 on QNAP
Player Version: latest from Google TV PlayStore
Hello,
first I thought that Dolby Atmos isn’t a thing at all and would not work with my setup using the Plex app on my Sony TV (2022) and that I’d need a Nvidia Shield Pro anyway for proper playback of the Atmos tracks.
My Sony TV is connected to Sonos Arc using eARC. And although most MKVs with Atmos tracks don’t play with Atmos being signaled in Sonos app there is at least one of them which correctly triggers the soundbar and its app to show Atmos.
What is the reason for this? My idea was that it wouldn’t work at all but there is still a difference in handling.
Checking with Media Info I could only find this:
Audio-Stream Dolby TrueHD With DolbyAtmos
does not show Dolby Atmos in Sonos App
Audio-Stream Dolby Digital Plus With Dolby Atmos shows Dolby Atmos in Sonos App
So is this the difference that results in Atmos yes/no?
There are two forms of Atmos audio for home theaters: TrueHD + Atmos, found on Blu-ray discs; and Dolby Digital Plus + Atmos, used by Netflix, Amazon, etc streaming services.
Pretty much every smart TV on the market supports Dolby Digital Plus + Atmos, including passing it over HDMI-ARC/eARC to attached audio equipment.
However, no TV supports TrueHD audio and cannot pass it from TV based apps over HDMI-eARC.
When played by a the Plex app on the TV, TrueHD audio will be transcoded by Plex Media Server to a supported format. Atmos information lost in the process.
Possible solution:
Many TVs support passthrough of TrueHD audio for devices attached to their HDMI inputs.
To see if your TV supports passthrough for TrueHD:
See if rtings.com has a review for your TV. They test audio passthrough for HDMI attached devices. Other review sites may also have such information.
Install Plex for Windows Desktop on a Windows PC/laptop, connect it to a HDMI input on the TV, and configure it to passthrough TrueHD audio.
FYI, I’m pretty sure your Sony will passthrough TrueHD + Atmos.
If your TV supports TrueHD passthrough, then you can use an external streaming device instead of the Plex app on the TV. Options include:
