tvOS 18.5 Adds Synchronized Dolby Atmos Playback for AirPlay and Bluetooth Speakers

[Carlos51]

Hi,
Thanks for your elaborate answer.
I was already on 18.5 and followed the procedure you described.
I will run it again, maybe I missed something the first time.

Carlos

Didn't work.

 

[Unami]

It can do two, but I agree that’s a major limitation. The AirPods Pro and PowerBeats pro are okay for side viewing once you get used to positioning your head.

The main thing for me is that room acoustics are taken out of the signal chain. That in itself is worthy of some of the drawbacks the tech brings.

I can see that. Personally I like to have my ears "free" and I also like the sound of my room when I watch TV. Atm I'n using a Homepod stereo pair of which I'm not really sure if it actually sounds better than my old 150€ Sony soundbase. But it did cost much more and now i've already bought it, so homepods it is. 🤷🏻

When I really watch something on my iPad, though, I use my Airpods Pro, which objectively sound better and are more immersive than room sound.

Either way, great that the AppleTV now can sync to dolby atmos over airplay. Those little updates in functionality make it a great value, imho.

 

[DocMultimedia]

Is MR using AI to write these articles?

That's definitely worth one of those messages from the MR folks. "Stop doing posts like that."

Anyhow, I've seen the synch issues. Also hoping the new Apple TV box gets released soon.

 

[Asthmatic Kitty]

Can confirm that the WAS utility has been completely revamped and now it first plays a stereo PCM tone followed by a Dolby Atmos tone.

Also it now works as it should, completely eliminating lip sync and audio lags issues from AirPods Pro, Max and HomePods.

Not only that, but now, if you do the sync in say, 4K SDR 60hz, it compensates and calculates the difference automatically for the rest of the frame rates, so you only need to do it once.

Great little update.

EDIT: For the new version of the tool to work correctly, the IOS device used to perform the calibration must be on 18.5 as well. If not, the Atmos tone wont play and the utility wont compensate the delay for the rest of the frame rates.

Oh my god, you have no idea how happy I am to read this.

I wasted so many hours trying to get my HomePod to sync with my LG TV, including doing it for every combo of resolution, dynamic range and frame rate that I could imagine ever using, and it was still slightly out of sync. So I gave up and used the crappy built-in speakers on my TV instead. Such a shame.

So exciting that they've revamped the feature, can't wait to give it a try.

 

[npmacuser5]

So you're recommending that I stop using my high end 7.4.1 system and use the Max instead because of head tracked spatial audio? BTW, headtracking is simply absurd. While I have the AP Max and do use it on occasion, NOTHING takes the place of a high end system with 12 speakers. And I do tend to just sit and watch a movie. If I need a snack or bathroom break, I simply pause the movie. I definitely don't need headtracking while on the toilet!

Another good sound option for not having to spend what your system costs. Plus, in apartments, the neighbors still like you, as will the wife, and the rest of the house does not want to hear what is playing. A huge market for what Apple is going after. Another benefit: two listening, each control the sound level, and Spatial Audio on the toilet.

 

[Crom!]

what other improvements?

 

[wigby]

Works only if there's no more than 1 person watching, does it? And then you have to wear those headphones, e.g. can't lie sideways, have to keep them charged or on a cable when bingewatching, get warm ears,... .

Personally, that headtracking where the sound is then tracked to the position of the screen, distracts me. I switch that to fixed position.

Ironically, head tracking audio works best for when you’re using a second screen and not paying attention to content on the primary screen.

 

[iSayuSay]

Works only if there's no more than 1 person watching, does it? And then you have to wear those headphones, e.g. can't lie sideways, have to keep them charged or on a cable when bingewatching, get warm ears,... .

Personally, that headtracking where the sound is then tracked to the position of the screen, distracts me. I switch that to fixed position.

Exactly. TV room is most of the time, a communal activity. APM costs $500 a pop and if you’re a family of 4 you’re better off getting a theater system to actually benefits from a real surround 😅

Sure I use my Airpods a few times, for watching tv when wife or kids is already sleeping. But that’s like very few times.

 

[djrobsd]

Not sure the benefit here. It’s much better to just get a true Dolby Atmos soundbar like a Sonos then trying to hook up a pair of HomePods.

 

[B/D]

Not sure the benefit here. It’s much better to just get a true Dolby Atmos soundbar like a Sonos then trying to hook up a pair of HomePods.

The benefit is not only for Apple audio hardware, but for every Airplay or Bluetooth speaker or headphones that has lip sync issues or audio lag when it´s used with as the speaker of an Apple TV. That´s all.

 

[kaseenz]

Useless if you do not have an iPhone

 

[dsaponaro]

Happy to now have Atmos playing when airplaying to multiple speakers now but I did notice an issue with this last night.

Playing Atmos music from Apple TV (Apple Music) through Sonos Arc while also simultaneously airplaying to other room HomePods Atmos is playing great. Only problem now is if I navigate to the Home Screen on Apple TV for instance while music is playing sound from Apple TV cuts out for a few seconds. Same when going back to the now playing etc….

I believe this is happening because the Apple TV interface sound format is not Atmos so it takes a second to switch formats? Music continues to play through HomePods without interruption.

Anyone else with this experience?

 

[B/D]

Happy to now have Atmos playing when airplaying to multiple speakers now but I did notice an issue with this last night.

Playing Atmos music from Apple TV (Apple Music) through Sonos Arc while also simultaneously airplaying to other room HomePods Atmos is playing great. Only problem now is if I navigate to the Home Screen on Apple TV for instance while music is playing sound from Apple TV cuts out for a few seconds. Same when going back to the now playing etc….

I believe this is happening because the Apple TV interface sound format is not Atmos so it takes a second to switch formats? Music continues to play through HomePods without interruption.

Anyone else with this experience?

Yes sir. Turning off Apple TV sounds effect and music for the UI takes care of it.

 

[aberthil]

Nice but they borke it with the Bose soundbar which now does not work properly for any audio track which is not Atmos. Gereat job guys, now need to downgrade to 5.1 while you fix it

 

[Moriakum]

Can confirm that the WAS utility has been completely revamped and now it first plays a stereo PCM tone followed by a Dolby Atmos tone.

Just used the WAS and it only played one tone, as usual. Maybe it’s a feature only for the last Apple TV? Mine is the 4K 2nd gen

 

[B/D]

Just used the WAS and it only played one tone, as usual. Maybe it’s a feature only for the last Apple TV? Mine is the 4K 2nd gen

The IOS device used to perform the calibration needs to be on 18.5 as well. If not, it will use the old algorithm, and only play one tone.

 

[Moriakum]

The IOS device used to perform the calibration needs to be on 18.5 as well. If not, it will use the old algorithm, and only play one tone.

It is on 18.5