macOS 12.1 TV app audio issues?

[Scipster]

Hi everyone,

Is anyone experiencing audio issues with macOS 12.1, specifically with the TV app? I purchased a 14 inch MacBook Pro two days ago, and I’m not certain if this is a software issue or if something is wrong with the machine.

The audio appears fine in apps like safari, music, and even the chimes in system preferences.

But in the TV app, the audio is full of static and there’s a terrible reverb on scenes with heavy bass. This was not an issue prior to upgrading to macOS 12.1. This is happening on all sorts of movies: Harry Potter, Star Wars, James Bond, Lord of the Rings, The Greatest Showman, etc.

It’s also interesting because the audio is perfectly fine when watching the same scenes on YouTube.

I wonder if the TV app has a bug or if my speakers are somehow defective and cannot play Dolby Atmos.

Do you think I should bring the machine back to the Apple store for a repair or exchange? Again, it’s only two days old and I’d rather not go the holidays without it :/

Hopefully this is something with an easy fix?

Edit: I should note that Spatial Audio is working ok in the music app. The audio is also fine when running through my AirPods. It’s limited to the MacBook’s speakers, hence why I’m worried it may be defective.

 

[vddobrev]

Don't have a 2021 14" MacBook Pro, but certainly had issues with audio in TV app. Most often a restart of the Mac works fine for me.

 

[Zance]

I also have a 14" MacBook Pro. I just noticed this issue. Only happens while in full screen and in the macOS TV app. I'm also on 12.1 and it wasn't not happening prior to that update. Every other video player works fine.

 

[Scipster]

I also have a 14" MacBook Pro. I just noticed this issue. Only happens while in full screen and in the macOS TV app. I'm also on 12.1 and it wasn't not happening prior to that update. Every other video player works fine.

I'm so glad you brought that up! I hadn't notice this before, but you are absolutely right: the audio distoriton only happens in full screen mode. If you pop the video out or view in window mode, the audio distortion goes away.

I wonder if it has to do with the 4K HDR files and possibly dolby atmos? I feel like buffering shouldn't be an issue though, as my internet download/upload speeds are north of 250 mbps.

I'm hoping then that this is a software issue that Apple can fix rather than a hardware issue?

 

[deadiol]

yep same here on an M1 air. glad it isn't just me. Problem only shows up in the TV app

 

[anwedr]

Wanted to chime in and also report of this issue as well on my end.
Initially thought it was hardware issue.

 

[tCC_]

Haha nice catch about the full screen mode only, having the same problem on my 14 inch M1 Pro (8c/14g), waiting for a fix from Apple I guess...

 

[marinersaptcomplex]

Yup have this issue. Hopefully we're all reporting this to apple, right?