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Dolby Atmos sync issue with Apple TV

Whenever I play Dolby Atmos content, there is a delay in audio playback in relation to the video. Dialog is slightly out of sync from lips. Explosions are heard slightly after you seem them. The delay is about 1/6 of a second.


Hardware used: Apple TV 4K, Samsung Series 7 TV, and Vizio Elevate Soundbar.


I tested in both configurations and had the same results:

  1. Apple TV 4K connected to Samsung Series 7 TV's HDMI 2 input. Vizio Elevate Soundbar connected to HDMI eARC.
  2. Apple TV 4K connected to Vizio Elevate's HDMI 2 input. izio Elevate Soundbar connected to HDMI eARC.


The issue only happens when view Dolby Atmos content. If I set the Apple TV to only output in 5.1 surround, the delay disappears.


I play with the AV delay of both the TV and the soundbar and was not able to sync the audio and video. The lowest setting on the AV sync is the closest I can get the audio to the video. Increasing the setting makes it worse.


Below are the list of apps with varying results:


Disney+ Noticeable audio delay with Dolby Atmos content. Disabling Atmos fixes the sync issue.

MAX Same as Disney+

Netflix Same as Disney+

Paramount + Noticeable audio delay with ALL content.


Additionally, I also tested the Samsung TV's native Netflix app since it is the only one that outputs Atmos through the eARC. No sync issues with the TV's native Netflix app when playing Atmos content.


Is there a solution for these syncing issues when playing Atmos content on the Apple TV?

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 17

Posted on Oct 24, 2023 11:10 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 19, 2024 1:23 PM

Are people still having A/V sync issues with their ATV box? I'm going from ATV>Receiver>TV. For me the video lags behind audio in some apps, not all, and to varying amounts if I have "Match Framerate" turned on. Turning it off fixed all syncing issues, but now all the apps feed content to the TV at 60fps instead of matching 24p material correctly. Match Framerate was one of the main reasons I bought this thing, and it's the only advantage this device has over the Nvidia Shield as an ultimate home theater streaming device. What's the point if I can't even use this feature??

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28 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 19, 2024 1:23 PM in response to priyonjoni

Are people still having A/V sync issues with their ATV box? I'm going from ATV>Receiver>TV. For me the video lags behind audio in some apps, not all, and to varying amounts if I have "Match Framerate" turned on. Turning it off fixed all syncing issues, but now all the apps feed content to the TV at 60fps instead of matching 24p material correctly. Match Framerate was one of the main reasons I bought this thing, and it's the only advantage this device has over the Nvidia Shield as an ultimate home theater streaming device. What's the point if I can't even use this feature??

Feb 19, 2024 1:34 PM in response to PeteSteffan

Still having this same issue. Bypassing this and using tv based apps is not the solution. I am about to buy another Apple TV box to see if that is the issue. But clearly my Sonos and tv are fine if excluding the Apple TV box. Apple support wanted me to go through a rigmarole and send them a bunch of data. I have tried 5 different cables. Downgrading the Atv box to don’t 5.1 used to fix the problem. Now I’m having issues with syncing even on 5.1. It’s crazy. If it was app specific I would say maybe it’s the provider. But it’s all Apple TV apps.


has anyone been successful fixing it or is everyone like me. Get motivated to fix it. Try a bunch of stuff that doesn’t work. Then give up again when super frustration sets in. Then revisit it when you have calmed down after a few months. I’ve lost my marbles on numerous occasions.


i now have the system in stereo. Which seems to be ok. But my brother came over and still can see syncing issues. I’ve about had it with this setup. I can’t see how it’s not an Apple TV issue. How can you want to control the living room experience, Apple, when you can’t help us troubleshoot this. Asking me to check the cable again is not productive.

Dec 27, 2023 10:03 PM in response to priyonjoni

I had the same issue after my Apple TV 4K updated recently. It seems to be fixed after I went into my television audio settings and changed it from “Passthrough” to “Auto.” The auto setting left the sound very delayed, taking about 15 seconds to start playing after starting a video. Deciding this was not a good option, I changed it back ti “passthrough” and now everything is working fine.

Oct 29, 2023 4:59 AM in response to priyonjoni

I have the same problem with a Philips TV (65OLED907) with a built-in soundbar. Apple TV4K (latest version) has sync issues in all streaming apps (Apple TV+ is actually worst). I noticed a big improvement with tvOS 17.1 where a few episodes and films (Netflix and Prime) played without sync issues. This was not consistent, however, and most content and other apps are unusable with Atmos due to syncing. Native apps on the TV play Atmos without sync issues of course. Using the shortest possible and most expensive HDMI-cable (8K etc.) cable I could find.

Dec 4, 2023 9:32 PM in response to Mac Leon

I have an Apple TV 4K tvOS 17.1.2 Sonos Arc Soundbar LG C8 OLED with ARC


I am having the same issue with syncing on Atmos content. Switch the Apple TV to 5.1 and no issues. I have tried so many combinations of settings, switched out all HDMI cables with brand new ones, reset to factory defaults all components and nothing. LG TV native apps with Atmos work flawlessly including the Apple TV+ app. Apple TV box is a no go on Atmos content. It is killing me. Any resolution for anyone yet? I signed up for beta in hopes that a beta update on tvOS might fix this. I was considering a new TV thinking that was the issue. Does eArc help?

Dec 30, 2023 10:33 AM in response to priyonjoni

I’m sort of in the same boat as well. AppleTV 4K and a Samsung Frame TV with a Sonos Arc (and sub) setup. Netflix, Disney+ all work just fine but the Apple TV plus app has major sync issues. The only thing I’ve found that works is turning off the Atmos and going with only 5.1 on the Apple TV sound settings. Everything else was problematic. I’ve also used the native apps on the Samsung and no issues, so it definitely feels like an issue with the Apple TV at this point.

Jan 1, 2024 6:03 PM in response to themisfit610

This broke again with the latest GA software. Go figure.


The good news is, I think it's related to eARC. I changed my topology so that the ATV was going directly to my AVR and the issue went away.


Previously I had been connecting to my LG C9 TV and using eARC to pass the audio back to my Sony STR-DN1080 AVR. Now with a direct connect to the AVR things are working fine. Whew.

Feb 11, 2024 1:12 AM in response to priyonjoni

Same issue. Atv connected direct to a Denon 6500w. Differing levels of sync issue. Setup to run Atmos 7.1.4

BBC iplayer almost perfect

AppleTV movie awful with video in front of audio

Prime - video just in front of audio

Netflix - video just in front of audio

All cables a highest quality, tried changing Atv video settings - no change.

Tried Atv connected to the TV, used eARC to push audio back to the Denon. No better.

issue has to be the Atv. Atv is running the latest iOS

help



Apr 2, 2024 7:34 AM in response to designything

That's all well and good, but one of the main reasons I bought this device was because of the framerate matching to run a pure clean 24fps signal to my TV. Bypassing it defeats the purpose of using this over another streaming device like the NV Shield Pro (which has better audio format compatibility anyway). This needs to be fixed or at least give us a manual AV signal delay control slider so we can sync it up ourselves without relying on having to own an iPhone to automagically do it (and still have it be wrong!)

Nov 17, 2023 7:17 AM in response to priyonjoni

I have the same problem ... and this is a recurring issue: it was present for some time after I bought the AppleTV4K over two years ago; then it was fixed but just recently audio has been going out of sync in Dolby Atmos again.


My ATV4K is connected to a Panasonic OLED (JZ2000) with built-in Dolby Atmos system. In the TV's native apps audio is synced, on the AppleTV there is a significant delay.

Disabling Atmos fixes the problem; no sync issues in 5.1

Dolby Atmos sync issue with Apple TV

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