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Apple Broke Dolby Digital 5.1 Output on Apple TV 4K

Not sure why nobody else is mentioning this, but figured I'd post to help others. One of these last few tvOS updates has completely broken Dolby Digital output (on Apple TV 4K, it seems).


I have a 2nd gen 4K model that had been fine until a recent update. I change the audio output in Settings to force Dolby Digital 5.1 for my speakers (Logitech Z906), but this suddenly no longer works! My speakers do not light the proper "Decode" light to indicate a true 5.1 signal, and the voices clearly come from left and right channels instead of just the center.


This was easy to confirm. I purchased a brand new 3rd gen Apple TV 4K (128GB) and it shipped with tvOS 17.1. I configured the audio output to force DD 5.1 and tested a movie... and everything worked perfectly. The "Decode" light indicated a 5.1 signal and voices, etc, clearly only came through the center channel. Then I upgraded to tvOS 17.4 and immediately tested the same movie, and it's broken! Nothing else changed.


Strangely enough, I have an old 1080p Apple TV running tvOS 17.4 (latest) and it still outputs Dolby Digital just fine.


I have provided this information to AppleCare as well as Apple.com/feedback. Kind of a ridiculous bug to go unpatched still. Hopefully someone will notice while we all sit here with broken audio.

Posted on May 7, 2024 10:30 AM

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Posted on Sep 16, 2024 10:59 PM

updated to TvOS 18 and 5.1 is broken. Apple TV connected to TV Samsung KS8000. HDMI ARC to Yamaha receiver. Only detects stereo. Please fix asap.

295 replies

Sep 23, 2024 1:28 AM in response to Edward1965-2

I spoke to Apple Rep a couple of days ago on the phone here in the Netherlands. Explained the problem (he was not aware of it). I pointed him to this topic in de Apple Discussions Group. He said he would make a note but advised to write feedback here: Feedback - Apple TV - Apple which I immediately did last week but Apple has not come back to me until now. (23rd sep)

Sep 24, 2024 4:58 PM in response to mancsteveuk

I was able to apply an update, tvOS 18.1 [22J5552d] for my ATV HD (3rd Generation), and must also sadly report that the Auto setting still doesn't recognize either of the two multichannel audio systems I've connected to it so far. Also, the Change Format option when enabled (displaying "Dolby Digital 5.1" next to "New Format") fails to deliver multichannel audio to either of the audio systems. The back door is still closed, as it has been since the release of tvOS 18.0, for my ATV HD (3rd Generation).


My ATV 4K (1st Generation) running 18.0 still reports that the tvOS is up to date.

Nov 4, 2024 1:08 PM in response to mika_bart

Have you tried forcing format change to 5.1.


I had it forced to Dolby digital 5.1 which stopped working in tvOS 18 but is now working in 18.1.


Change audio settings on Apple TV – Apple Support (UK)


my av supports Dolby digital plus and dts but not atmos.


tv supports atmos


I get Dolby digital plus when viewing atmos stuff from the tv streaming apps but only Dolby digital from atv if I force it, stereo otherwise.


I should be getting digital plus from the atv without forcing it.


so issue still persists & I suspect does for everyone else, they likely haven’t noticed if they where forcing it previously



Apple Broke Dolby Digital 5.1 Output on Apple TV 4K

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