AirPod's Head Tracking/tvOS 15 in most Apps

[Julien]

Using Beta tvOS 15.0 beta 2. Have been experiencing Head Tracking on Disney+ and ATV+ with Atmos/Spatial Audio. Yesterday I added a new App, Digital Concert Hall and oddly I get Head Tracking even though it's not in Atmos/Spatial Audio. Thought Head Tracking was supposed to be part of Atmos/Spatial Audio feature set only. I then tried The Weather Channel and was also getting Head Tracking. Next I tried YouTube but no Head Tracking. Also tried the Music App (Spatial Audio) and no Head Tracking (don't want but Apple said it is coming). Another oddity is you get Head Tracking on the Navigation Clicks.

Tried a couple more Apps and all have Head Tracking.

So what is the criteria for Head Tracking? Is it Apple System or App enabled or disabled?

Seems the only 3ed party App that didn't have Head Tracking (that I tried) was YouTube? Is Apple blocking/disabling it on YouTube for some reason?

What are others finding?

 

[philotas]

Dolby Atmos is not needed for the head tracking feature.

See this article:

Apple shares more details on how Spatial Audio will work with AirPods on Apple TV

The feature will work with stereo, 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos content.

www.engadget.com

It says:

Apple told Engadget the feature will work with stereo, 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos content.

So the question is why is it not working for Youtube "out of the box" like in other apps.

Apple says it is coming for Apple Music in the fall. So I guess an app must explicitly tell the system it should not enable head tracking for the sound it outputs.

 

[Julien]

Just discover another missing feature from YouTube. There is no HDR on the HDR encoded videos.

I know Apple doesn't care for Google but seems petty/childish to be hamstringing YouTube by denying Head Tracking and HDR.