Playback Issues - Audio/Video & Power

[pdet]

Hello,

I'm on S/W 9.2.0:4131 for my Roku Ultra (4640 series) , and I cannot get my Onkyo to decode 5.1 audio over the HDMI port. The optical port decodes just fine. I tried "forcing" the audio in the Roku settings, to no avail. I tried several apps (Netflix, and Plex -- both decoded 5.1 using the optical port, but downmixed to 2.0 when using HD

This seems to have been a known bug back in an older version of the software, but per the thread in https://community.roku.com/t5/Playback-Issues-Audio-Video-Power/RESOLVED-No-more-5-1-Sound-Ultra-mod... it's purportedly resolved.

I can't say if my Roku ever successfully output 5.1 on the HDMI since my previous receiver had HDMI pass-thru problems, so I was using the optical cable. I was hopeful that I could use the HDMI inputs for audio and video with my new receiver.

Is this a setup problem?

Thanks

[longstrider · Accepted solution]

If you have volume leveling or night mode turned on, the audio output defaults to 2 channel. That setting can only be found while you are playing something (programs from Netflix, Amazon Prime, external drive  etc.) and pressing the * (asterisk, star - whatever you wish to call it). I had this happen to me and had a hard time figuring out what had gone wrong.  I had turned on volume leveling one night, and didn't use the Rokus (I have 3 4640R units boght when I found out they removed the SPDIF on newer models) for several days afterwards. I thought the September update had taken away my 5.1 , as it had BRICKED one of my units. After disabling the volume leveling, my 2 remaining units returned to sending 5.1 as before. Hope that helps. If not I have no other guesses, as that was the only audio problem I've had.

[longstrider]

"bought"....not "boght" 

[pdet]

Thanks @longstrider -- I had read that audio leveling or night mode could be a culprit, but all the posts said to look in options->audio for "night mode". I don't have that in my audio options. However, when I did what you suggested (hit * while streaming) it popped up, and it was indeed set to "leveling". I don't think I would have found that in a million years, so kudos!

[longstrider]

I'm glad you got it sorted. I hate to see the best Roku builds ever (4640R) go down.