Dolby Atmos TrueHD not detected in MKV

[MMRD50]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum. If this should be posted elsewhere please let me know.

I’m having an issue when ripping an audio Blu‑ray disc using MakeMKV. When I rip the disc then create the .mkv file, it appears that MakeMKV is not processing the Dolby Atmos TrueHD audio stream correctly.
Here’s what I’m seeing:
• MediaInfo reports that the resulting MKV does contain a Dolby TrueHD / Atmos track. Also detected in VLC and MPC-BE.
• However, during playback via USB on my Sony AVR, the receiver does not activate the Atmos decoder. Instead, the file is detected and played back as 7.1 LPCM.
• All other audio tracks in this file play correctly.
• Downloaded test files (including MKVs from Demolandia) play perfectly and do trigger Atmos on the same setup.
What’s interesting is this:
• If I use the Backup function in MakeMKV and create a full BDMV folder (with “decrypt video files” enabled), the .m2ts files inside the STREAM folder do correctly activate Atmos on the Sony AVR.
This makes me wonder whether MakeMKV isn’t transferring the Dolby TrueHD / Atmos metadata into the MKV container correctly — or if I’m missing something.
Has anyone else seen this behaviour?
Is there a known solution or setting I should be using to preserve Atmos metadata in MKV files?
Thanks in advance for any help!

[Billycar11]

more likely your playback device for some reason on mkv files does not bitstrem but does for m2ts
whats your playback device or player

[MMRD50]

Thanks very much for replying.
I downloaded test files (including MKVs from Demolandia) They play perfectly and do trigger Atmos on the same setup. The m2ts files created from the back up (that work fine) are pre the process of creating mkv files. It seems this process is not working correctly or I am missing something.
My AVR is the Sony STRDH790.CEK 7.2 Channel Dolby Atmos/DTS: X 4K HDR AV Receiver. It plays pretty much everything I throw at it.
I'm scratching my head over this one!

[Billycar11]

You playing back directly with the avr?
That's just as bad as a smart TV try with a PC setup to bitstream or something else

[MMRD50]

Sorry? Whats just as bad? It is what the USB port is for!!!
Switching to a PC is beside the point and a different subject entirely
Umm can we stay on topic...I'm just trying to find out what is wrong with these mkv files created in the application.

Thanks

[Coopervid]

Sorry? Whats just as bad? It is what the USB port is for!!!
Switching to a PC is beside the point and a different subject entirely
Umm can we stay on topic...I'm just trying to find out what is wrong with these mkv files created in the application.

Thanks

Please describe your playback chain.

[dcoke22]

According to the product page for a Sony STR-DH790 receiver the USB port is described as being a power supply only.

I too am confused about your playback setup.

[MMRD50]

Sorry. Huge apology...You are quite right about the USB on the AVR...it supplies power to my Firestick.
The USB is on my BD player...a Sony 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray Player – UBP-X800M2. How did I get that so wrong!
Brain not in gear!

So the BD player supports...via the USB port...

Video file formats...

HEVC (.mkv, .mp4, .m4v, .m2ts, .mts), VP9 (.webm, .mkv), VP8 (.webm, .mkv), VP6 (.flv), MPEG-1 Video/PS (.mpg .MPEG, .mkv) [.VOB, .VRO], MPEG-2 Video/PS, TS ( .mpg.MPEG, .m2ts, .mts, .mkv) [.VOB, .VRO], MPEG-4 AVC (.mkv, .mp4, .m4v, .m2ts, .mts) ,MPEG-4/AVC (.mov, 3gp, .3g2, .3gpp, .3gpp2, .flv), Xvid (.avi, .mkv), WMV9 (.wmv, .asf, .mkv), AVCHD Disc Format,VC1 (.m2ts, .mts, .mkv), Motion JPEG (.mov, .avi)

So having cleared that up...I have had no issues at all playing Atmos encoded MKV files (or any Atmos encoded files) from outside of MakeMKV.

Again, sorry confusing the issue.

Many thanks

[Coopervid]

Check your MKV files with Mediainfo. Maybe only 8.x or 5.x files are supported. Makemkv files uses 7.06 FEL MKVs. This is mainly only an issue with Dolby Vision but there could also be an issue with Dolby Atmos. Just compare the files that work and those which don't.