Apple TV 4K Will Not Resume After pausing

[Killbynumbers]

My ATV will not resume after pausing. The whole thing just freezes up and no buttons will respond for sometimes up to 15 minutes. Sometimes it will start playing after that 15 minutes but it will always freeze up after I pause.

ATV is up to date and this is content stored on my 2012 MBP although that isn't the problem. I think this has to do with the last update on the ATV as this never a problem before.

Anyone else have this problem?

Edit: I went to the other tv and swapped APTVs and this one doesn't have that problem but it's also not been used in a year so it's on old firmware. I had a third ATV 4K that quit working last year, it just went into a constant reboot.

 

[JeffPerrin]

There is a bug with tvOS 14 not being able to play back local content which contains Dolby Digital audio if the user has "Change Format" enabled in the tvOS audio settings. (Your older, working model is likely running an older version of tvOS or does not require change format.) A nasty side-effect is that it freezes up the tvOS Computers app when users attempt to pause or play back such content.

It's a known bug and will hopefully be fixed in an upcoming update.

 

[Killbynumbers]

Well, I guess I'll just keep using the other one that's not updated. I turned off auto update so that I don't end up in the same situation. Thanks for the reply.

 

[priitv8]

There is a bug with tvOS 14 not being able to play back local content which contains Dolby Digital audio. (Your older, working model is likely running an older version of tvOS.) A nasty side-effect is that it freezes up the tvOS Computers app when users attempt to pause or play back such content.

I may already sound ignorant - but what other criteria must be fulfilled to observe this bug?
I am asking because I have not noticed this behaviour on my unit. I am pretty confident, I would have, if it showed as most of my local video content contains Dolby Digital audio.
I am on aTV 4K and latest tvOS. What might be different?

 

[JeffPerrin]

I may already sound ignorant - but what other criteria must be fulfilled to observe this bug?
I am asking because I have not noticed this behaviour on my unit. I am pretty confident, I would have, if it showed as most of my local video content contains Dolby Digital audio.
I am on aTV 4K and latest tvOS. What might be different?

Sorry - I forgot to mention that this primarily affects users who have enabled "Change Format". (Users with legacy equipment or optical connections, for example.) I've edited my response above to reflect this condition.

 

[Killbynumbers]

Sorry - I forgot to mention that this primarily affects users who have enabled "Change Format". (Users with legacy equipment or optical connections, for example.) I've edited my response above to reflect this condition.

All I have in my setup is the ATV 4K and a Samsung TV connected via the HDMI port. I use the TVs speakers and always have.

 

[JeffPerrin]

It *mostly* affects users with optical connections, but I've heard from a few folks as well having issues when plugged into a TV via HDMI.

Again, check the tvOS audio Settings app (Video and Audio/Audio Format) and make sure "Change Format" is disabled. Otherwise, until Apple issues a fix, a temporary workaround for you may be to select "stereo" audio only (via "Change Format" enabled settings).

 

[JMEANS]

It *mostly* affects users with optical connections, but I've heard from a few folks as well having issues when plugged into a TV via HDMI.

Again, check the tvOS audio Settings app (Video and Audio/Audio Format) and make sure "Change Format" is disabled. Otherwise, until Apple issues a fix, a temporary workaround for you may be to select "stereo" audio only (via "Change Format" enabled settings).

Having the same ATV4K buffering/pausing issue watching files from my itunes on 4K Samsung Frame tv. Also I find the the ATV4K menu more sluggish. Some files stream fine but some are not, especially after pausing - as I have to back out and resume. Some resume some do not.

To dissect the issue further
I have one ATV4K connected to the Samsung w/update 14.3
and one ATV4K connected to a Sony 4K display w/latest update 14.4

This issue is only happening on the 2019 Samsung 4K display (the Sony is fine)
I have switched out both ATV4K's with different updates with the Samsung and it has the issue with either update.
So is this a Samsung display issue? I am connected directly to the TV from ATV via HDMI.
Tried to find the "disable" Change Format as mentioned above on the TV settings but doesn't have the option.
My audio settings on the Samsung Frame are limited it seems and because I do not have a sound bar or receiver hookup I have selected PCM as an audio output option.

Just figured I would document my experience for those with same issue. Hoping a fix is coming soon as the Samsung Frame is our main display for our home.

 

[JeffPerrin]

Having the same ATV4K buffering/pausing issue watching files from my itunes on 4K Samsung Frame tv. Also I find the the ATV4K menu more sluggish. Some files stream fine but some are not, especially after pausing - as I have to back out and resume. Some resume some do not.
....
So is this a Samsung display issue? I am connected directly to the TV from ATV via HDMI.
Tried to find the "disable" Change Format as mentioned above on the TV settings but doesn't have the option.

The Change Format is only available in the tvOS audio Settings app (Video and Audio/Audio Format). Not sure if disabling Change Format or forcing stereo will help with this particular issue, but it's worth a shot...

 

[JMEANS]

The Change Format is only available in the tvOS audio Settings app (Video and Audio/Audio Format). Not sure if disabling Change Format or forcing stereo will help with this particular issue, but it's worth a shot...

Thanks so much for the quick info Jeff P!
Here is all I have on my Samsung Frame 4K TV for audio option settings or whatever. No "Change Format" option. I am connected directly to the TV from the ATV. So no Soundbar or receiver involved. I have never had an issue in over a year since purchase of TV and ATV until these latest 14.3 & 14.4 updates. The TV has never needed an update after set-up during this time either.

Here is a pic of TVos Sound Expert Settings screen:

 

[JeffPerrin]

Hey JMEANS. The "Change Format" setting I'm talking about would not be on your Samsung TV, but is in the tvOS Settings app under: Video and Audio/Audio Format. You might find this link helpful: https://support.apple.com/guide/tv/adjust-video-and-audio-settings-atvba773c3c9/tvos

 

[McScooby]

My ATV will not resume after pausing. The whole thing just freezes up and no buttons will respond for sometimes up to 15 minutes. Sometimes it will start playing after that 15 minutes but it will always freeze up after I pause.

ATV is up to date and this is content stored on my 2012 MBP although that isn't the problem. I think this has to do with the last update on the ATV as this never a problem before.

Anyone else have this problem?

Edit: I went to the other tv and swapped APTVs and this one doesn't have that problem but it's also not been used in a year so it's on old firmware. I had a third ATV 4K that quit working last year, it just went into a constant reboot.

I'm sure you've seen the other Samsung thread here - https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...l-in-samsung-tv-being-on-please-help.2273601/

AppleTVs do not just die, commonality is issue with Samsung TVs, maybe give apple a call.

 

[drisley]

I'm having this issue with my LG TV using the optical from TV to my soundbar. This is new.
When trying to play anything from Computer that has surround, with "Change Format" enabled, it will just freeze everything up.
I'm using tvOS 14.4 on my Apple TV 4

 

[AL2TEACH]

same here, LG TV and Apple TV 4K. I just hit the home button, resume play and don't pause, lol. damn.