Not getting Dolby Atmos with paired HomePods?

[B/D]

hi B/D,

no, currently im using two HomePods.
i was curios how apple will handle Atmos and I bought an second one.

I wrote the German apple department an email about the situation and try to clearify if Atmos in enabled in German.

i will also try to set my Apple TV and HomePods in English.

yes indeed for big rooms the HomePod is not loud enough (40qm) but still very impressive what such a small speaker can do.

so guys, thank you for your help

No need to actually change the system or Siri language of your devices, keep using German. Is just that when watching content, Atmos is only available on the original version. So, when watching a movie with Atmos, if it was shot in English, choose the english audio track with the apple tv remote, not any of the others. Likewise if it was originally shot in French or whatever language. Only the original version has Atmos. (you can turn on German subtitles to be able to follow the story)

 

[Alhagar]

This video is old and doesn’t apply to tvOS 14.2 Home Theater support.

Thanks for that!

 

[kevinp8192]

Tidal and Disney+ don´t currently support sending Atmos audio to the Homepod.

This is odd. I don’t understand the how’s and why’s of some apps supporting and sending a Dolby Atmos signal when homepods are selected, while others do not. If the AppleTV is set to output Dolby Atmos, why do the apps discriminate what device it’s outputting to (sound bar, receiver, homepods, etc.)? As someone with a fair bit of background setting up surround sound systems, it doesn’t make sense. You’d think the apps would see Dolby Atmos is selected, send the signal, and then the ATV/Homepods decode and play it.

 

[B/D]

This is odd. I don’t understand the how’s and why’s of some apps supporting and sending a Dolby Atmos signal when homepods are selected, while others do not. If the AppleTV is set to output Dolby Atmos, why do the apps discriminate what device it’s outputting to (sound bar, receiver, homepods, etc.)? As someone with a fair bit of background setting up surround sound systems, it doesn’t make sense. You’d think the apps would see Dolby Atmos is selected, send the signal, and then the ATV/Homepods decode and play it.

Because, very much like happened with the auto framerate switching setting in the ATV (which Youtube doesn´t support properly yet, by the way) , every app developer have to implement the ability to send 5.1 or Atmos to the Homepods in their apps code to get it to work, which most likely will require an update from those apps. This was confirmed to me by the Disney+ support. In fact, Disney+ is not the worst case right now regarding this feature.

Tidal apple tv app, which has Atmos music in its catalogue, only support sending plain stereo to the homepods at the moment. Not even 5.1

Right now, full Atmos support with the homepods, besides apple own streaming apps, is present only in Netflix.

It SHOULD be working like you just said in your post above, but it just isn´t.

Excuse my English.

 

[kevinp8192]

Because, very much like happened with the auto framerate switching setting in the ATV (which Youtube doesn´t support properly yet, by the way) , every app developer have to implement the ability to send 5.1 or Atmos to the Homepods in their apps code to get it to work, which most likely will require an update from those apps. This was confirmed to me by the Disney+ support. In fact, Disney+ is not the worst case right now regarding this feature.

Tidal apple tv app, which has Atmos music in its catalogue, only support sending plain stereo to the homepods at the moment. Not even 5.1

Right now, full Atmos support with the homepods, besides apple own streaming apps, is present only in Netflix.

It SHOULD be working like you just said in your post above, but it just isn´t.

Excuse my English.

Thanks for the explanation. It still seems a little strange to me. So just to be clear: if I had a receiver (Yamaha or Denon or whatever) connected to my AppleTV and had Dolby Atmos selected on the ATV, Dolby Atmos would work with Disney+, but not through the HomePods?

(And your English is excellent, btw)

 

[B/D]

Thanks for the explanation. It still seems a little strange to me. So just to be clear: if I had a receiver (Yamaha or Denon or whatever) connected to my AppleTV and had Dolby Atmos selected on the ATV, Dolby Atmos would work with Disney+, but not through the HomePods?

(And your English is excellent, btw)

Correct. Wired Atmos (with a traditional AVR+ dedicated speakers setup) works the way you described with the ATV in your earlier post, but wireless Atmos to Homepods that are set as the default output of an ATV4K (which gets transmitted using an improved version of the Airplay 2 protocol, that eliminates the latency completely and the 2.0 audio limitation, among other things), requires individual app support/implementation of the feature. Go figure. Perhaps its more complex.

 

[kevinp8192]

Correct. Wired Atmos (with a traditional AVR+ dedicated speakers setup) works the way you described with the ATV in your earlier post, but wireless Atmos to Homepods that are set as the default output of an ATV4K (which gets transmitted using an improved version of the Airplay 2 protocol, that eliminates the latency completely and the 2.0 audio limitation, among other things), requires individual app support/implementation of the feature. Go figure. Perhaps its more complex.

What a clear explanation, thank you! I've just today brought home a couple of HomePods to try it out myself. I've always thought HomePods were expensive, but if it works, this is a very cost-effective solution to implement a basic Dolby Atmos system. Thanks for your input.

 

[B/D]

What a clear explanation, thank you! I've just today brought home a couple of HomePods to try it out myself. I've always thought HomePods were expensive, but if it works, this is a very cost-effective solution to implement a basic Dolby Atmos system. Thanks for your input.

Keep in mind the limitations of the system. For what is it, its very impressive, but dont expect it to sound the same as a proper Atmos system, with an AVR+ speakers (which in turn is also much more expensive, full of wires, and difficult to properly setup and calibrate).

 

[TheRedOx]

I had to go back to the old Sonos Playbase. I don't have statistics but I came really close to going over my Xfinity internet datacap for November; the only change was hooking up two HomePods to my ATV 4K. I also noticed more frequent video buffering and momentary resolution downgrades. I also had issues with voices/mouths out-of-sync too often. It's a bummer but I know Apple will fix it - I really do much prefer the HomePods "soundscape" over the Sonos but I can't have them gobbling up data like I believe they were doing.

 

[JBaby]

I had to go back to the old Sonos Playbase. I don't have statistics but I came really close to going over my Xfinity internet datacap for November; the only change was hooking up two HomePods to my ATV 4K. I also noticed more frequent video buffering and momentary resolution downgrades. I also had issues with voices/mouths out-of-sync too often. It's a bummer but I know Apple will fix it - I really do much prefer the HomePods "soundscape" over the Sonos but I can't have them gobbling up data like I believe they were doing.

Sounds like a WiFi issue to me. This setup requires very good WiFi. Can you hardwire your tv? Also, are your HomePods set up on the 5ghz?

 

[TheRedOx]

Sounds like a WiFi issue to me. This setup requires very good WiFi. Can you hardwire your tv? Also, are your HomePods set up on the 5ghz?

I definitely cannot hardwire the ATV. Good question on the HomePods being on the 5Ghz - not sure but I believe so. The ATV definitely is on the 5GHz band.

 

[JBaby]

I definitely cannot hardwire the ATV. Good question on the HomePods being on the 5Ghz - not sure but I believe so. The ATV definitely is on the 5GHz band.

Check this out.

 

[B/D]

I have no doubt that Apple will fix the excessive strain that a pair of homepods set as the default audio output causes on the entire network (unless your 5GHZ wifi is AC and VERY good on both the ATV AND the Homepods). There are many people affected by this. This is definitely not normal. Curiously enough, if you merely choose the Homepods from the airplay menu (bringing up the control center of the ATV), this does not happen and the speed return to normal.

There are other things that I would like to be fixed and/or changed in the next updates.

A). When you have the homepods selected as the default output of the ATV, there are popping and crackling noises when you navigate the Apple TV UI, and ocassionaly while you play videogames from Apple Arcade. Very annoying. This a bug, already reported to and acknowledged by Apple.

C). When the Homepods are selected as the default audio output of the ATV, and you put it to sleep, you can ask the homepods to play music and it will not turn the ATV or the TV on. However, if you go to the Home app while the music is playing you will see that is says that the apple tv is in use. If fact, is playing music using the apple tv music app in the background even though the apple tv itself remains off.

This presents two problems:

A). The Apple TV outputs audio always at 48khz, which means is resampling the apple music stream. Not good.

B). Because the music is being played from the apple tv music app and not directly by the homepods pulling the stream from the apple musc servers, the specific EQ metadata that every songs contains for the homepod does not get applied in this case, and therefore the music sounds slightly worse.


The sensible solution for this would be that when you turn on the ATV it automatically sets the homepods as the default audio output, and when you put it to sleep it detach them and revert to your TV speakers, allowing the homepods to be completely independent again.

 

[B/D]

Post above edited with corrections and clarifications.

 

[TheRedOx]

Check this out.

Thank you for that link, super helpful. My HomePods and AppleTV4K (and iPhone running Home app) are indeed all on the 5GHz band - I just did remote management to confirm (have same Amplifi AC router as OP in that post). My HomePods weren't "optimized for streaming" through that router so I ticked that setting on but, yeah, seems like Apple still needs to fix some things.

 

[badsimian]

I have been trying this for a couple of weeks but the sync issues are driving me mad and my wife refuses to watch anything when outputting to the pair of homepods she finds it so bad. Both have been updated to 14.3 (was happening on 14.2 as well) and I’ve done the audio sync thing a few times. Got a sonos beam on the way and I think I will end up selling the homepods.

 

[fncd]

Just picked up 2 Homepods to test this out, and for the life of me I don’t think it’s working. Using Greyhound as a test, it doesn’t sound any different if I have change format to “off” or “stereo”. The homepods are updated, set as default, etc. Every step I can think of. Also, the Dolby app sounds like stereo as well, but who knows if that app has even been updated to send Atmos over AirPlay. I believe the consensus is that so far only Netflix / AppleTV+ are doing that? That sort of throws a bit of cold water on the YouTube Video of a guy listening to the Mandalorian Trailer and reacting to how amazing it was....

Certainly underwhelming so far. I read an article that said something akin to “it wasn’t until I turned them up to neighbor annoying levels that I noticed any kind of surround feeling”.

It would be nice if Apple actually showed you the audio stream that was active instead of the card showing what is available. My TV supports Atmos, so it is always showing in Netflix, ATV+, etc.

 

[B/D]

Just picked up 2 Homepods to test this out, and for the life of me I don’t think it’s working. Using Greyhound as a test, it doesn’t sound any different if I have change format to “off” or “stereo”. The homepods are updated, set as default, etc. Every step I can think of. Also, the Dolby app sounds like stereo as well, but who knows if that app has even been updated to send Atmos over AirPlay. I believe the consensus is that so far only Netflix / AppleTV+ are doing that? That sort of throws a bit of cold water on the YouTube Video of a guy listening to the Mandalorian Trailer and reacting to how amazing it was....

Certainly underwhelming so far. I read an article that said something akin to “it wasn’t until I turned them up to neighbor annoying levels that I noticed any kind of surround feeling”.

It would be nice if Apple actually showed you the audio stream that was active instead of the card showing what is available. My TV supports Atmos, so it is always showing in Netflix, ATV+, etc.

Which I don´t know how it possible since the maximum volume of the homepods with the apple tv is lacking.

 

[subjonas]

This thread is a bit over my head. So homepods support atmos? And is it functioning correctly for the most part?

Also...

Who rattled your cages? OP asks a legitimate question about a feature apple introduced in 14.2.
Is it full blown Atmos? Certainly not, but much like soundbars on the market with no upward firing speakers, it's probably got a pseudo software effect going on and if this can be achieved without spending additional $$$ to get much the same kind of Atmos, that's good enough in my book.
It's certainly not a reason to ridicule the question or the OP's motives for wanting to check it out.

Well said. I’ve been ignoring comments like the ones above. Like this is for people who were already used their HomePods as TV speakers. It’s not for people who already have sound systems or for audiophiles.

Look another post reply with no clue 🤔

Where are you guys picking up ridicule in Hdfan’s post? There wasn’t even a hint of it as far as I could tell. He/she was completely respectful, although maybe wrong. They didn’t ridicule but definitely got ridiculed.

 

[McScooby]

This thread is a bit over my head. So homepods support atmos? And is it functioning correctly for the most part?

Also...





Where are you guys picking up ridicule in Hdfan’s post? There wasn’t even a hint of it as far as I could tell. He/she was completely respectful, although maybe wrong. They didn’t ridicule but definitely got ridiculed.

There wasn't a hint, more like a sledgehammer, read it again (& remember this was the day apple launched the feature)!🙄😜

 

[subjonas]

There wasn't a hint, more like a sledgehammer, read it again (& remember this was the day apple launched the feature)!🙄😜

I read it again and I still don’t see a hint (nor a sledgehammer) 🤷‍♂️. I just see someone operating under a different understanding of the technology, and so they are perplexed, but not malicious in any way. I think any ridicule inferred is projected.

 

[McScooby]

I read it again and I still don’t see a hint (nor a sledgehammer) 🤷‍♂️. I just see someone operating under a different understanding of the technology, and so they are perplexed, but not malicious in any way. I think any ridicule inferred is projected.

OP raised issue about not getting Dolby Atmos on HomePods (a recently introduced feature). Hdfan says he can't see any issue as why would 'you' the OP want it, despite the post being about this very thing.
It's a bit like you asking this very question & me replying what's it got to do with you, it's none of your business! It's not respectful nor is it ridicule & as others have commented adds nothing to the convo. If anything I'd say it was rude.
If Hdfan had maybe said they'd tried to get the Atmos feature, it wasn't to their liking and why, fair enough, but to dismiss it straight off, not having tried it, when someone else was having a problem & wanted it, no, sorry, in my book that is bang out of order.

 

[subjonas]

OP raised issue about not getting Dolby Atmos on HomePods (a recently introduced feature). Hdfan says he can't see any issue as why would 'you' the OP want it, despite the post being about this very thing.
It's a bit like you asking this very question & me replying what's it got to do with you, it's none of your business! It's not respectful nor is it ridicule & as others have commented adds nothing to the convo. If anything I'd say it was rude.
If Hdfan had maybe said they'd tried to get the Atmos feature, it wasn't to their liking and why, fair enough, but to dismiss it straight off, not having tried it, when someone else was having a problem & wanted it, no, sorry, in my book that is bang out of order.

Questioning a question is not in itself disrespectful. It depends on the tone of the question. It can be done respectfully, which it was as far as I could tell (this is coming from someone who had no idea who was factually correct). “I’m a bit puzzled” is as about as respectful as one could put it. On the other hand, in your example, you used the phrase “what’s it got to do with you, it’s none of your business!” which is of course flat out rude. If those are the same to you, or if you believe questioning a question is innately rude, then we probably have no common ground to stand on.

 

[McScooby]

Questioning a question is not in itself disrespectful. It depends on the tone of the question. It can be done respectfully, which it was as far as I could tell (this is coming from someone who had no idea who was factually correct). “I’m a bit puzzled” is as about as respectful as one could put it. On the other hand, in your example, you used the phrase “what’s it got to do with you, it’s none of your business!” which is of course flat out rude. If those are the same to you, or if you believe questioning a question is innately rude, then we probably have no common ground to stand on.

“I’m a bit puzzled” why you would want to use a feature that apple just introduced and even though you can't get it to work, I wouldn't bother, it's just not worth the effort although I haven't tried it myself.

 

[fncd]

When the Homepods are selected as the default audio output of the ATV, and you put it to sleep, you can ask the homepods to play music and it will not turn the ATV or the TV on. However, if you go to the Home app while the music is playing you will see that is says that the apple tv is in use. If fact, is playing music using the apple tv music app in the background even though the apple tv itself remains off.

This presents two problems:

A). The Apple TV outputs audio always at 48khz, which means is resampling the apple music stream. Not good.

B). Because the music is being played from the apple tv music app and not directly by the homepods pulling the stream from the apple musc servers, the specific EQ metadata that every songs contains for the homepod does not get applied in this case, and therefore the music sounds slightly worse.

The other day when I was moving some things around, I had my AppleTV 4K unplugged - and it seems because of this I was unable to AirPlay to my Homepods. It indeed looks like it uses the built in AppleTV Music app instead of casting from the iPhone.

I hope this is changed in the future.