Struggling for weeks with Atmos

[thirdwaver]

My setup: Mac Mini running Plex Server; AppleTV 4K running Plex Player and I also have Infuse. AppleTV is connected to Denon AVR-X4300H. I do have a complete Atmos speaker setup connected to this AVR (11 speakers + 2 subs).

My test DVD is Ghost in the Shell (Paramount version). 4K UHD, Dolby Atmos.

When I play the DVD through my Sony UBP-X800, the Denon switches to Atmos

After MakeMKV makes an MKV of the disc I bring it into Handbrake and next to the 0:English (TrueHD)(7.1 ch) track, I choose "TrueHD Passthru". It takes a long time. Then when I play the movie through either Plex or Infuse, the Denon will not turn on Atmos. I get Multi+Dolby Surround or something like that. I've tried a lot of things but I can't shake that this is user error and I'm open to any ideas. I've read many threads on here but haven't found one that specifically addresses this issue.

I also have a windows machine available if that will help at all.

[dcoke22]

I don't think the AppleTV does audio passthrough. The audio FAQ from Infuse has a lot of details.

Also, AppleTV does not support Dolby TrueHD. https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-4k/specs/ Dolby Atmos adds height information to surround sound. It can be delivered either via Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital+ (E-AC3). The AppleTV only supports the latter, E-AC3.

[thirdwaver]

I don't think the AppleTV does audio passthrough. The audio FAQ from Infuse has a lot of details.

Also, AppleTV does not support Dolby TrueHD. https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-4k/specs/ Dolby Atmos adds height information to surround sound. It can be delivered either via Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital+ (E-AC3). The AppleTV only supports the latter, E-AC3.

That readme was helpful, thank you. And it certainly explains why atmos isn't triggering with the settings I'm trying. So if I'm understanding this, I need to choose "1: English (AC3) (5.1 ch) (Dolby Digital EX) (640 kbps)" and set the Codec to "E-AC3"? Is the Atmos data stored in there? Or am I supposed to choose the TrueHD track and process that with E-AC3? I'm pretty sure I tried the latter and it didn't work but I can try it again.

[dcoke22]

I'm speculating here, but I don't think Dolby Atmos will be on the vanilla Dolby Digital track. It is likely only part of the lossless, TrueHD audio track.

Getting the Atmos data into a E-AC3 audio track is probably the right approach for AppleTV. If Handbrake can transcode the audio and keep the Atmos data is a question I don't know the answer to.

The Internet seems to think you need a paid-for software to transfer the Atmos from a TrueHD track to a E-AC3 track:

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/404 ... 3-possible
https://www.reddit.com/r/htpc/comments/ ... onversion/

[thirdwaver]

I'm speculating here, but I don't think Dolby Atmos will be on the vanilla Dolby Digital track. It is likely only part of the lossless, TrueHD audio track.

Getting the Atmos data into a E-AC3 audio track is probably the right approach for AppleTV. If Handbrake can transcode the audio and keep the Atmos data is a question I don't know the answer to.

The Internet seems to think you need a paid-for software to transfer the Atmos from a TrueHD track to a E-AC3 track:

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/404 ... 3-possible
https://www.reddit.com/r/htpc/comments/ ... onversion/

This is very depressing. So it seems like AppleTV is the culprit (and Plex, honestly, because even with the one clip I have that has Atmos in it, it only triggers Atmos with Infuse.) Others seem to be using an Nvidia Shield. It looks like that's my only option unless I just surrender and say any 4K Atmos movie I own will need to be watched from the blu-ray not from my media server.

[dcoke22]

I don't have any experience with an Nvidia Shield. It seems to have its faults as well. All the streaming boxes do. The now 4-year-old Nvidia Shield Pro and the most recent Chromecast seem to be the closest to being able to play everything.

[thirdwaver]

I really appreciate your replies and the links. They were helpful!