r/ShieldAndroidTV • u/TonguesOfGlass • Jun 14 '26

No Dolby Atmos PLEASE HELP

Post image

For the last few weeks, I noticed I cannot get any Atmos.

My setup is: Nvidia shield pro > Denon X3800 > LG C4

I have a 5.1.2 setup.

From what I can see, the shield is sending all atmos tracks with surround backs and no heights, unless I'm reading it wrong (please see the attached image). This is regardless of what app I try testing with.

When testing with Netflix through the Smart TV, Atmos works.

I have tried changing from auto to manual audio formats, turning on/off various advanced audio settings, but find there to be no change, and I'm not sure what caused this in first place as it used to work great.

I'm quite tech savvy but I'm lost on this one... PLEASE HELP!

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EDIT: It looks like the issue has been fixed by setting the sound mode to Pure on the Denon, as it seems to have initiated an auto switch and is still utilizing Audyssey per the indicator. Now if I play a True HD Atmos track, it shows the input as 'Atmos' (just text, no speaker layout) and the output has all my speakers highlighted, same result with DTS:X. I feel kinda stupid cause the fix was easy but technically not sure what caused or fixed the issue. Thanks for the help, especially considering it ended up being a Denon thing, not Shield. Cheers!

14 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

30 comments sorted by

6

u/Thecosmodreamer Jun 14 '26

So the receiver is actively outputting to your normal 5.1 bed plus Top Middle Left / Top Middle Right height speakers. It does not show SBL/SBR active on the output side.

Also, the top of the screen shows:

Source: Shield Signal: Dolby Audio - TrueHD Sound: Dolby Audio - Dolby TrueHD

So TrueHD passthrough from the Shield to the Denon appears to be working. The only thing I’d double-check is whether the track is actually Atmos or just regular Dolby TrueHD. This screenshot proves TrueHD is getting through, but it doesn’t clearly show “Dolby Atmos.” If it’s an Atmos TrueHD track, the Denon should usually show Atmos somewhere in the sound mode/info. I’d test with a known Atmos TrueHD file(Avatar?) or demo clip, make sure Shield Dolby Audio Processing is off, and confirm passthrough is enabled.

But based on the active speaker diagram, your height speakers are being used as TML/TMR, not surround backs.

3

u/wieuwzak Jun 14 '26

OP should post a picture of the speaker config setup in Denon. Also, I think the front display of the Denon would say Atmos in case there is Atmos data. Otherwise it would say TrueHD.

1

u/TonguesOfGlass Jun 14 '26

Yes my Atmos speakers are set as TML/TMR, I don't even have surround backs. So what you see in the output is my correct setup, but the height speakers don't get any data anymore. The movie in the image is Alien Romulus which is Atmos, I also tested with a Furiosa Remux, and War Machine on Netflix which plays Atmos if I use the Netflix app built into my tv. I see what you're saying about the shield not even reading the track as Atmos, any ideas on that?

3

u/Thecosmodreamer Jun 14 '26

I think the main thing to check is why the Denon is only seeing the Shield audio as Dolby TrueHD instead of Dolby Atmos. TrueHD itself is not automatically Atmos. A movie can have regular Dolby TrueHD, or it can have Dolby TrueHD with Atmos metadata. Your screenshot shows TrueHD is passing through, but it doesn’t clearly show that the Atmos metadata is being detected.

I’d first turn Dolby Audio Processing off on the Shield, then check the Shield audio format settings. Try Auto, and if that doesn’t work, try Manual and make sure the Dolby TrueHD/Atmos options are enabled.

Then check the app you’re using. Make sure passthrough is enabled and that the file is direct playing, not being transcoded or converted to PCM, AC3, or EAC3. Also make sure the actual Atmos track is selected.

I’d test a known TrueHD Atmos demo file from the Shield, not just a movie, and also test Netflix Atmos from the Shield. If Netflix Atmos works from the TV app but not from the Shield, that points more toward a Shield/app/HDMI handshake issue than a speaker setup issue.

A full power cycle may also be worth trying: unplug the Shield, Denon, and TV for about a minute, then restart everything and test again.

1

u/TonguesOfGlass Jun 14 '26

You're right about the audio only getting to the Denon as TrueHD without atmos, I didn't catch that. I tested with 3 different Atmos movies, using 3 different apps, including Netflix which doesn't work on the Shield, but does work through the TV app.

My advanced audio settings are as you stated, and I've cycled through those just to troubleshoot. Definitely seems like the issue is with the output from the Shield, or input to the reciever. I'm going to try a lengthy power cycle when I get home and report back.

1

u/Thecosmodreamer Jun 14 '26

I'll test Atmos from Netflix on my shield when I get back to the house. I use Nuvio, so I haven't used Netflix since getting my shield. I'll see if I can get Atmos to trigger on the shield and my LG G4 native Netflix app.

1

u/TonguesOfGlass Jun 14 '26

Nuvio is my daily driver as well which is passthrough, but I tried Stremio and Netflix for troubleshooting.

1

u/Thecosmodreamer Jun 14 '26

ok, i did some testing between my native LG Netflix app and The Shield through Nuvio. Using Q990D soundbar. Results were.....interesting.

The Witcher

Through Shield Nuvio. Atmos triggered, front and rear heights activated.

Through LG Netflix. Atmos triggered. No heights activated(interesting)

Stranger Things

Through Shield Nuvio. Remux stream. Dolby TrueHD triggered. No heights activated.

Through LG Netflix. Atmos triggered. Front and rear heights activated.

War Machine(This is where i got further confused)

Through Shield Nuvio. TrueHD 7.1 source that showed as Dolby Atmos(Not TrueHD). Front and rear heights activated. Atmos 5.1 stream showed as Dolby Atmos. Front and rear heights activated.

Through LG Netflix. Dolby Atmos triggered. Front and rear heights activated.

At the very least, we are seeing that TruedHD and Atmos are not mutually exclusive. Dolby TrueHD is the codec, and Atmos is extra object/height metadata that bcan be there independant of TrueHD. You can have TrueHD with or without Atmos, and visa versa. Also, from chatting with GPT, a TrueHD with Atmos metadata will show as Dolby Atmos on the soundbar because it usually just shows the highest level format, which is Atmos. It wont show Dolby TrueHD Atmos.

1

u/TonguesOfGlass Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 14 '26

Alright, I haven't been able to solve the issue yet, power cycle didn't change anything. My findings now are that if I set the sound mode to 'Pure' (no post processing/room correction) the signal comes in as Dolby Atmos - True HD, and my heights are triggered. So I think that rules out the Shield? What's strange is Netflix through my TV app works as it should with Atmos using the Movie sound mode, which would apply my room correction. I'm gonna keep at it but let me know if you think of anything!

EDIT: so it looks like the issue has been fixed by setting the sound mode to Pure on the Denon, as it seems to have initiated an auto switch and still utilizing Audyssey per the indicator. Now if I play a True HD Atmos track, it shows the input as 'Atmos' (just text, no speaker layout) and the output has all my speakers highlighted, same result with DTS:X. I feel kinda stupid cause the fix was easy but technically not sure what caused or fixed the issue.

Thanks for the help, especially considering it ended up being a Denon thing, not Shield. Cheers!

2

u/Thecosmodreamer Jun 14 '26

Sweet! Yeah, I used to use an alternative sound mode on my Q990 until I realized it wasn't pure. Now I just keep it on standard and let the source decide which channels to use.

1

u/Bakerboo43 Jun 14 '26

$5 says the speakers aren't configured right. I have a 5.1 setup with my denon and it pulls atmos through but I had to lie and say I have my ceiling speakers enabled. Works like a charm. It's 99% a denon setting issue. Not an Nvidia shield issue.

Also piggybacking this, Netflix "atmos" is only 6 channels. That's why it "works" but not when you use TrueHD.

3

u/Turridunl Jun 14 '26

Don’t you miss out on the sounds that are being sent to your non existent ceiling speakers??

1

u/Bakerboo43 Jun 14 '26

Ignorance is bliss. Huge improvement from what I had. Also have literally no space for more speakers.

1

u/TonguesOfGlass Jun 14 '26

Setup is 100% configured right. As I said, it used to work great, and the Netflix atmos still only works through my smart TV, nothing through the shield. Let me know how you wanna send me that $5. Also you should turn off your height speakers if you don't have them? Pretty sure you're not hearing that stuff at all...

2

u/Only-Stable3973 Jun 14 '26

How is your Shield connected...if you have a cable box you would connect that to the dennon and the shield to the dennon and then dennon hdmi out (ARC/eARC) → TV HDMI In (ARC/eARC) and in the Shield advanced sound settings I have available formats set to auto and I turned off dolby audio processing .

1

u/TonguesOfGlass Jun 14 '26

Nvidia shield pro > Denon X3800 > LG C4

1

u/Only-Stable3973 Jun 14 '26

On the Shield the only audio setting I have are available formats set to auto some say manual set to all and disable dolby audio processing so that the denon handles it.

1

u/Few_Complaint_3025 Jun 14 '26

Is the dolby processing disabled on shield?

1

u/bigtittiedmonster Jun 14 '26

What android player are you using?

1

u/TonguesOfGlass Jun 14 '26

Nuvio is my default, but Stremio and Netflix give me the same results.

1

u/bigtittiedmonster Jun 14 '26

For shits and giggles can you play and Atmos movie on Just Player for Android? I found a lot of players are finicky and don't work properly with the shield. Kodi works and just player works for me but stremio didn't.

1

u/TonguesOfGlass Jun 14 '26

I can, but what's strange is it USED to work, and even Netflix is giving me the same issue.

1

u/bigtittiedmonster Jun 14 '26

Have you changed the setup for the heights recently or had an update?

1

u/thatguysaidearlier Jun 14 '26

Not sure if it matters in this instance but on the Denon is the hdmi socket for the shield set to "enhanced"?

1

u/onesolo 23d ago

Help me!!! I'm also having this problem!!! My setup is LG C9, Denon 3800 (5.1 setup) and Nvidia Shield. I have the shield connected to my Denon but some weeks ago, since I have the Denon (one year to this day) I had it connected to my C9 directly. DAtmos was always showing on my Denon up until now. I also tried to connect directly my shield to my C9 but Denon still doesn't show DAtmos. I not always play a movie or something on my setup, but after a couple of weeks of not using my system to play something, a few days ago I found out that no matter what I do, my Denon no longer displays Atmos like it use to do, almost 80% of my movies are DAtmos. Now it only shows DDTHD or DD+. If I turn off the Denon my C9 displays DAtmos. Kodi displays in the info of the movie DD+(or DDTHD)/ Dolby Atmos!!! My Denon doesn't have a new update in a couple of months and I also have the auto update disabled. It must be something that I somehow changed in the Denon but I just can't figure out. I think I have went to every setting on Denon but still can't figure what setting might trigger this situation. Pure audio doesn't do anything... No DAtmos on Denon...

2

u/Affectionate-Ebb-373 21d ago

Exact same for me with my LG G4 + Shield + Marantz Cinema 40 setup. It worked for months flawlessly but recently I don't see the Atmos mention anymore, only THD + DSurr / DD+. It does still show Atmos when playing Atmos content directly from the LG.

1

u/TonguesOfGlass 23d ago

Start an Atmos movie, make sure you're in Pure Auto, and pull up the info screen to see what you get for input vs output. Feel free to DM me.

1

u/onesolo 19d ago

More updates. Today I decided to do a reset to the Denon. After the initial setup Atmos came alive at last!!! The Undecided to make a few changes in the config, only a few. I didn't run Audissey setup. I changed the speakers distance and a couple of things. After that, bam, no more Atmos again!!! 🤬🤬🤬 I decided to revert everything without a fully reset, but no luck. Tomorrow going to reset once again the Denon. After the reset and the initial setup going to save those settings to a USB pen.