Forum Discussion

FMoB's avatar
FMoB
Reel Rookie
2 years ago
Solved

Trying to get Dolby Digital (not Plus) to work on Roku Ultra LT (4801X)

Let’s start with a confession - I’m a dinosaur and a cheapskate! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix (or replace…) it is my mantra. So, for years, I’ve been happy playing DVDs and Blu-rays on my 2012 Samsun...
TV & Player Setup
  • StreamerUser's avatar
    StreamerUser
    2 years ago

    Unfortunately you didn't follow the advice of UserOfStreamers or do enough research - he very specifically mentioned a model 4800 or 4802 (Roku Ultra 2020 or Roku Ultra 2022): these models have Dolby (Atmos-level) decoders. 

    The Roku Ultra LT (4801) does NOT have a Dolby decoder (and why it very specifically wasn't mentioned)

    You need to get a 4800 (Ultra 2020), 4802 (Ultra 2022) or a (just released) 4850 (Ultra 2024) - these all have Dolby (Atmos-level) decoders that can transcode/convert DD+ to DD even in Passthrough mode when connected to a detected DD-only device.

    So you need to get a 4800/4802/4850 and change Digital Output Format = Passthrough (assuming DD-only EDID; Custom = Dolby Digital or Auto will also work but will transcode all audio to DD assuming DD EDID), set the splitter/audio extractor's EDID to DD5.1 , and enjoy 5.1 audio from all 5.1 content.

    Also, make sure you disable any sound modes as these disable multichannel output:  During playback - Options(*)/Sound Settings/Customize Sound modes/Volume Leveling or Dialogue Enhancement = Off

StreamerUser's avatar
StreamerUser
Roku Guru
2 years ago

Unfortunately you didn't follow the advice of UserOfStreamers or do enough research - he very specifically mentioned a model 4800 or 4802 (Roku Ultra 2020 or Roku Ultra 2022): these models have Dolby (Atmos-level) decoders. 

The Roku Ultra LT (4801) does NOT have a Dolby decoder (and why it very specifically wasn't mentioned)

You need to get a 4800 (Ultra 2020), 4802 (Ultra 2022) or a (just released) 4850 (Ultra 2024) - these all have Dolby (Atmos-level) decoders that can transcode/convert DD+ to DD even in Passthrough mode when connected to a detected DD-only device.

So you need to get a 4800/4802/4850 and change Digital Output Format = Passthrough (assuming DD-only EDID; Custom = Dolby Digital or Auto will also work but will transcode all audio to DD assuming DD EDID), set the splitter/audio extractor's EDID to DD5.1 , and enjoy 5.1 audio from all 5.1 content.

Also, make sure you disable any sound modes as these disable multichannel output:  During playback - Options(*)/Sound Settings/Customize Sound modes/Volume Leveling or Dialogue Enhancement = Off

  • FMoB's avatar
    FMoB
    Reel Rookie
    2 years ago

    StreamerUser, thanks so much for your reply. I was kind of expecting that would be the explanation but it's great to get it confirmed by an expert. I have to say that I really struggled to find clear, technical specs that could have prevented me buying the 4801 in the hope that it matched 4800/4802 in the DD+ to DD department.

    I've kicked off an ebay return and will be buying a 4802 once I get my refund. Then I will report back once everything is delivered and tested. Thanks again!

    • FMoB's avatar
      FMoB
      Reel Rookie
      2 years ago

      Wahey! 5.1 Dolby Digital is now coming from my Now TV (with Boost) and Disney+ streams!

      Thanks again to StreamerUser for pointing me in the right direction (and pointing out my schoolboy error of not paying closer attention to the original advice of UserOfStreamers).

      If anyone else has a similar need to extract Dolby Digital via toslink to an aging AV amp, I can certainly recommend the EZ Coo EX11PRO to accompany the correct model of Roku Ultra (4800/4802/4850).

      The only downside of all this..? Being a UK based user, I can't access BBC iPlayer as the 4802 was never available in the UK. A small price to pay 🙂

      • Des2009's avatar
        Des2009
        Channel Surfer
        12 months ago

        I am in a very similar predicament to the one you were in.. I'm playing **bleep** trying to get 5.1 to my Pioneer Elite receiver from my Roku Ultra LT (4801X).  My situation is further compounded by my need (desire) of having a Roku capable of using an IR remote (Logitech Harmony 650).  The IR capability was the reason I recently bought the 4801X in the first place.  Will the 4850 support the use of an IR remote????  Please please please say "YES"  🙂