Level 2

273 points

Since tvOS 18 update Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD output only stereo despite 5.1 selected

The stereo output exists for premium streaming apps (Max, Prime Video, Paramount+). It appears that only Home Sharing still plays 5.1 audio. Audio output for both Apple TVs has always been set to Format Change On, Dolby Digital 5.1, but setting to Auto doesn't provide a remedy. A week ago (before the update), all programs for which 5.1 was available played 5.1 output. Have tried force-quitting apps, restarting Apple TVs, deleting and reinstalling apps. No difference. Any idea when this will be fixed, Apple?

Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)

Posted on Sep 22, 2024 12:59 AM

Top-ranking reply

oviano

Level 1

46 points

Posted on Oct 1, 2024 4:40 AM

As a developer I have found that the SDK API function AudioConverterFillComplexBuffer has stopped working for EAC3 in tvOS 18. This means it is not decoding EAC3 streams that use this API. The same function worked correctly on tvOS 17, and continues to work correctly on macOS.

Perhaps this is related, perhaps it isn't.

I've reported this via the developer Feedback Assistant.

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43 replies

llee Author

Level 2

273 points

Sep 25, 2024 7:10 PM in response to TrevorPastrami

Yes, Support will be stymied until the software is fixed. There’s hope. I’ve observed similar issues after at least 2 previous updates for Apple TV. It doesn’t speak well for Apple’s ability to balance the need to provide updates with the need to vet the updates they provide, though.

Sep 27, 2024 7:31 PM in response to llee

I’m dealing with the same problem after updating to tvOS 18. I have an older 7.1 Sony receiver set up as 5.1. My audio passes through my Sony Bravia via HDMI then is sent to the receiver via optical. It’s always decoded as discrete 5 channels across all the apps on Apple TV that support it but no more. Very frustrating to have that not working anymore. I have no desire to invest in new equipment. Hoping this is resolved soon!

Windh

Level 1

104 points

Sep 28, 2024 11:40 AM in response to llee

I have the same problem. All of a sudden, any 5.1 output, GONE. Which is outrageous. They need to fix this ASAP.

HOWEVER, it's only like this on the 'ordinary' streaming apps (Netflix, Disney+ etc)

but I also use Infuse for streaming films from my local network, and HERE the 5.1 works just fine!!!

Pafo8209

Level 1

14 points

Sep 28, 2024 3:28 PM in response to Windh

I feel the simple and obvious and easy solution for apple is to have a ‘force encode all audio to a Dolby 2.1/5.1 / 7.2’ or a ‘do not use PCM’ setting.

my setup ATV 4K Gen 1 - LG C9 - DN1040 on eARC

currently pondering a HDMI splitter to stop this reoccurring madness. anyone tried this?

DN1040 will not throughput Dolby vision. C9 will not throughput multi channel PCM. I cant justify the cost of a new receiver on a silly encode technicalities that should not exist when using tier 1 products.

llee Author

Level 2

273 points

Sep 30, 2024 9:03 PM in response to filipinohitman

Unless Apple tells you how to revert to a version of tvOS before 18 (which I'm fairly sure they won't do), they may tell you to try a different sound system which is recognized without enabling "Change Format" or look for an update to come which will hopefully remedy the problem. The issue can't be remedied for affected ATVs while using tvOS 18.0 with sound systems that require "Change Format".

llee Author

Level 2

273 points

Oct 1, 2024 10:47 AM in response to oviano

Is it reasonable to assume, then, that apps that still work such as Home Sharing Player and YouTube don't depend on the AudioConverterFillComplexBuffer function for their multi channel audio capabilities? Is it possible to confirm that assumption from your perspective? Thanks.

Jdiddy

Level 1

14 points

Oct 31, 2024 2:07 PM in response to llee

I didn’t notice until I checked that all the audio coming out of Apple TV was stereo PCM even though i specifically selected Dolby 5.1 and that it was working previously with my Sonos Beam plus One surrounds. After trying to reset the Apple TV and playing with the TV settings nothing worked. I decided to re-run the Sonos tuning and finally got it to output Dolby 5.1 again. I’m on tvOS 18.1

Sep 27, 2024 12:19 PM in response to llee

Same problem here, yesterday suddenly the Apple TV only outputs stereo.

Really annoying!

Windh

Level 1

104 points

Sep 28, 2024 1:25 PM in response to Windh

Edit: the YouTube app also puts out 5.1 just fine...

Windh

Level 1

104 points

Oct 1, 2024 6:34 AM in response to Mannu37

The best thing you can do is contact Apple support and let them know! The more the better.

Goxlet

Level 2

247 points

Nov 2, 2024 3:35 PM in response to Jdiddy

I think the iOS 18.1 update provides the general remedy, but earlier software updates may have contributed to the issues you found it necessary to tweak.

llee Author

Level 2

273 points

Sep 22, 2024 2:42 PM in response to Rashidaa_x

Have you tried any other software changes such as enabling "trial fix" updates in Software Updates? (There are posting requirements for Communities that I simply forgot about when submitting my previous reply.)

Sep 25, 2024 6:33 PM in response to llee

Yeah that’s sounds like it’s gotta be the root cause. I was on the phone with tier 3 Apple support for 30 minutes factory resetting my Apple TV only to have it fix nothing and then they hung up on me !

Windh

Level 1

104 points

Sep 28, 2024 3:37 PM in response to Pafo8209

I agree with your assessment on what Apple needs to do. Not sure what you mean by using a splitter. I thought this issue only occurred for us poor souls already having to split the audio to optical out of the HDMI...

Anyways. If Apple doesn't fix this soon I'll ditch them once and for all and get an Nvidia Shield or something.

llee Author

Level 2

273 points

Sep 28, 2024 5:46 PM in response to Windh

That's the case for me, too, for whichever of my two ATV's I choose not to use with my Marantz NR1510 receiver. I have 1 Marantz receiver and 2 other multi channel audio systems. I believe Apple can fix it and I hope they will. But this is a little more complex than the previous similar issues that have bitten me. Not only does the precise nature of the hardware involved seem to determine success or failure, but it also depends on which streaming apps are used. I hope Apple doesn't simply leave it up to app developers to try to comply with the current schema. To me that would be detrimental to Apple's bottom line.

But failing to eliminate such an insidious problem from an initial major software release such as 18.0 will also have that effect, I suspect.

Since tvOS 18 update Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD output only stereo despite 5.1 selected