No Dolby Digital (or DTS)

I’m currently unable to get the Xfinity Stream app to send Dolby 5.1 surround sound to Sonos system. I’ve adjusted all the different audio settings on the Roku Express audio settings section with no success. All I’m able receive Is PCM Stereo. Any suggestions of how to correct would be appreciated. 

I was just about to return a Klipsch 600 Cinema soundbar because, after trying numerous changes and researching for answers, I could not get Dolby Digital activated on the soundbar when watching any streaming channels through Roku Ultra ( 4670RW Build 4208 connected via HDMI to TV, Sound set to Auto for best available sound, Dolby Digital or DTS.) However, DD was always active watching shows using a TV antenna and OTA TIVO device.

BTW the TV is connected to the soundbar via HDMI ARC.

I have the TV sound settings set at "HDMI Audio Format = Bitstream" and "Audio Format = Dolby Digital". I tried PCM but the only option not grayed out is DTS, which the Cinema 600 does not support.

When I watch programming thru the antenna and Tivo box, DD lights up on the Cinema 600. All channels, HD or SD.

But when I switch to Roku and watch Amazon Prime video, I have no DD. In fact, when I check the TV sound settings (mentioned above) while watching Prime, the "Audio Format" setting has changed from DD to PCM. And DD is grayed out in the options. But when I switch back to antenna and Tivo, the setting is back to Dolby Digital.

As a last thought, I opened the Amazon Prime app on my Samsung TV (UHD model UN55JS700). LOW & BEHOLD, Prime shows were broadcasting with Dolby Digital lit up on the soundbar.

So of course I have to ask, why are Prime shows in DD via the TV app but not through ROKU? In the end I may still decide to return the soundbar and buy one that handles more audio formats like DIX and ATMOS, but I'd like to know the answer anyway. It might save me time and headaches because I would rather watch streaming channels via ROKU.

Thank you

Walt

I was having a similar problem. My Roku stick used to output 5.1 surround, and then at some point it stopped, basically when DD+ E-AC3 for for Atmos became the norm. I have a 15 yr old Yamaha receiver that works fine in all other ways (blu ray, etc.), but it couldn't make sense of the DD+ streaming codec. After much research, I almost bought an older 4640 Roku because it was the only one that could transcode DD+ back to DD for older equipment. I also looked at just buying a newer AVR, but the one I would want was $3K, so not in a hurry to do that. And then I finally saw mention of the latest Ultra 4800r 2021 model being backwards compatible with output to DD for older AVRs. And after buying it and setting it up just now, I can confirm that it works! Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, etc., all coming through in 5.1 surround, and lighting up all 5 speaker icons on the front of my Yamaha, so I know it's getting the right signal. The auto setup scan recognized my older 1080p plasma TV resolution, and AVR capabilities, and shows Dolby Digital and DTS as the only formats, none of the newer stuff my gear can't play. Totally worth the $90 update to keep a great system going another few years.  

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sakendrick wrote:

I've read some posts about surround sound output from Rokus being deprecated with recent updates, so, I'm 'not sure if that's what I'm experiencing. I feel like I was getting Dolby Digital before, but definitely not now.

- Roku Ultra

- Connected via HDMI into my Vizio E70 (in HDMI with the ARC support)

- Optical out of Vizio into Yamaha 5.1 Receiver

Playing Netflix via the Smart TV app (cutting the Roku out of the mix) - I get Dolby Digital. But when playing via the Roku, no true surround sound. Not sure if it's a Roku upgrade issue, or if for some reason this setup isn't supported.

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

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Your post title is entirely misleading and not applicable in your setup - you arent ARC connected, you are Optical connected: ARC isnt in use in your setup (apparently you have your Roku Ultra connected to you ARC port)

If your Yamaha receiver (AVR) supports ARC you should be connecting its ARC port to the TV's ARC port (with a HDMI w/Ethernet cable for best results) and disconnecting the Optical from the TV>AVR.

(if your TV and AVR support ARC, you MUST connect an HDMI cable to each end of the ARC chain with the HDMI(ARC) port of each device to enable/use it).

ARC (DD+/DD/DTS/PCM2.0) supports more/higher rate formats than Optical (DD/DTS/PCM2.0), depending on the connected devices.

Furthermore, I havent seen any posts about "surround sound being deprecated" by Roku (that would be a very weird statement to make), but its not the case regardless.

You didnt mention which model Ultra you have or its current firmware version, which matters (Settings/System/About):  The current 4800 and several years old 4640 can both transcode DD+ to DD, but none of the other Ultra models can.

In case you missed it, Dolby Digital Plus (DD+, EAC3) superceded Dolby Digital (DD, AC3) about 10 years ago.

Most services are using DD+ (EAC3), not DD (AC3), though some use both (DD+ and DD) and some use only DD - it all depends on the service, the device, and the configuration.

NetFlix (Prime/etc) exclusively uses DD+, and with your current setup your TV is transcoding the DD+ from the internal NF app to DD via optical.

The Roku Channel (DD), Paramount+ (DD+/DD), HBO Max (DD+/DD), and Apple TV+ (DD+/DD) all either can (if configured to) or always use DD (The Roku Channel).

Since you arent getting it from your Ultra from all apps, its mostly likely not a 4800/4640 (or its misconfigured) and your TV cannot transcode DD+ from HDMI to Optical (not uncommon, many TV's will transcode DD+ from internal apps but not from HDMI).

You need to:

1) Figure out if your AVR supports ARC.

2) Connect the TV and AVR via ARC if it does.

3) If connecting via ARC, remove Optical connection.

4) Figure out your Ultra model #/firmware version. (Settings/System/About)

5)  Configure your Ultra (if necessary, depending on model #).

6)  Configure your TV if necessary for ARC usage (update firmware to latest as part of this)

Ultimately, if you dont have a 4800 or 4640 another device needs to transcode the DD+ to DD (for NetFlix/Prime/Disney+/etc) if you want 5.1 output - if its your TV, it needs to at least be able to transcode DD+ from HDMI to DD for Optical (it may or may not transcode from HDMI to ARC).

If you do have a 4800/4640, it may need to be reconfigured to get 5.1 output from all supporting apps.

So it appears this may be the same issues with Roku breaking certain apps. The Roku Channel, YouTube Movies, and maybe Prime (can't recall) streaming in Dolby Digital... Netflix, Disney+ are not - so nothing wrong with my setup.