TrueHD audio passthrough as PCM

Plex Players Smart TVs
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Server Version#: 1.40.4.8679
Player Version#: 10.18.0.968 (cf7c30d2)

Hi all,

I’ve recently bought TCL 98C655 Smart TV. The Plex app is amazing! The interface and navigation are smooth and very quick.

I’ve connected the TV to my AVR via the eARC HDMI, all audio formats are working as expected (including DTS:X). The only issue is that TrueHD tracks are being passed to the AVR as PCM. Although I’m getting the TrueHD with no issues through my HTPC, which the audio is connected via the eARC also.

Is there a limitation for TrueHD tracks in the Plex app? Is there any work around for it?
I just need to see the Dolby TrueHD sign in my AVR to get comfortable.

Thanks.

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No TV supports TrueHD passthrough from TV based apps. It is a TV manufacturer restriction.

When using a Plex Smart TV app, TrueHD audio will be transcoded by the server to a supported format.

Passthrough for DTS formats varies by manufacturer. For example, Samsung blocks it, LG supported it, then blocked it, then added it back this year. Sony (Android TV) supports it.

Passthrough for devices attached to HDMI inputs can be very different. For example, a TV may passthrough TrueHD audio for an attached streaming stick even though it blocks TrueHD from the Plex Smart TV app.


If your AVR supports 4K HDR video, the usual recommendation is to acquire an Nvidia Shield Pro 2019 and connect it to an HDMI input on the AVR.

The Shield supports passthrough for all Dolby and DTS formats. It also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision video (no HDR10+).

A less expensive option to the Shield is the Amazon FireStick 4K Max Gen 2. It supports passthrough for TrueHD + Atmos audio. However, for DTS formats, only the lossy DTS core is passed, so no DTS-HD MA or DTS:X.

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If this is just about “TrueHD” and not “TrueHD with Atmos”, then it doesn’t matter in the slightest. Because TrueHD is just a lossless compression of PCM. Which means if you decompress TrueHD to PCM, you get the full quality of the source from which the TrueHD stream was created.

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@FordGuy61 @OttoKerner
Thank you both for your quick response. It’s unfortunate that I’ve to switch to the HTPC or buy another $200 media player just to overcome a single limitation. The Plex app in the TV is super fast and convenient.

@OttoKerner
Unfortunately, most of the movies are TrueHD with Atmos. Watching the TrueHD (DTHD) sign in the AVR is half the experience.

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