Streaming video from iMac fails to AppleTv 4k

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Streaming video from iMac fails to AppleTv 4k

Hi, recently I've noticed streaming HD video from my TV library stored on my iMac fails onto my 4K apple tv. Not 100% but this seems to align with Big Sur & TvOS update as not really attempted it for a while.

It'll start to play and then maybe 60 seconds later it'll pause and never recover. The menus are sluggish at the same time.

The 4k box has a wired network connection as does the iMac

Streaming the same content to my old HD box (wifi) works perfectly.

Any ideas?

thanks

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 14

Posted on Jan 26, 2021 1:04 AM

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Answer 1

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Jpdev001

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Jan 26, 2021 6:10 AM in response to Jpdev001

Sorry - forgot to mention the Home Sharing bug I was referring to was if "Change Format" is enabled in the tvOS Settings/Video and Audio/Audio Format. Maybe see if "Change Format" is enabled on your 4K?

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Answer 2

Jpdev001

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Jan 26, 2021 7:16 AM in response to tony_b_

No problem! -Thanks for the info. This sounds like a variant on the Home Sharing bug people have been reporting here. I highly recommend filing a feedback report with Apple. Clearly things have taken a step backwards in regards to Dolby support in tvOS 14, so the more people that report in, the more likely Apple will take a look at what's going on. Here's the link: https://www.apple.com/feedback/appletv.html

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Answer 3

Jpdev001

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Jan 26, 2021 4:15 AM in response to tony_b_

There is a known issue with tvOS 14 not being able to stream local content it contains Dolby Digital surround audio. Can you check to see if your HD video has a Dolby Digital soundtrack? (And I'm guessing your old HD Apple TV works because it is still on tvOS 13 or earlier.)

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Answer 4

tony_b_ Author

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Jan 26, 2021 5:45 AM in response to Jpdev001

Hi thanks for your reply,

The video is using the AC3 codec with 6 channels, so guessing it's that, i'm going to try to see if I can down mix the audio.

The old AppleTV was on 14.0.2 just forcing through an update to make it the same as the 4k.. both are now 14.3 and the HD can still play without an issue with the 6 channel audio.

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Answer 5

Jpdev001

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44 points

Jan 26, 2021 5:54 AM in response to tony_b_

Interesting the HD has no problems with tvOS 14 (Just to be sure, try pressing the play/pause button a few times while streaming said content?) Anyway, have you tried streaming other content with Dolby 5.1 on the 4K, or is the issue with just one particular title?

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Answer 6

tony_b_ Author

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4 points

Jan 26, 2021 6:26 AM in response to Jpdev001

I let it play for around 30 minutes, pausing isn't causing issues...

My wife has some old tv shows she brought (CSI, Criminal Minds... not from Apple store though) and none now play on the 4k. All streamed content works fine eg aTV+ or rented / brought films

Changing the audio to ac3 2 stereo works...

But I think the issues is as related to your last reply... Change Format is off on both, but on the 4k it shows the immersive audio dolby atmos is set to on. Turning that off fixed the issue.

thanks for the help!

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Answer 7

tony_b_ Author

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Jan 26, 2021 8:21 AM in response to Jpdev001

I've just done that and very grateful to have a fix rather than having to revert to USB sticks in the playstation whenever the wife wants to watch old Grey's anatomy...

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Streaming video from iMac fails to AppleTv 4k

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