Features, settings & updates

[StreamerUser]

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@RBBrittain wrote:

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@StreamerUser wrote:

No, it isnt - with built-in Atmos-capable TV apps, its streamed as DD+/Atmos, and passed through via ARC/eARC - there is no "re-encoding" from DD+/Atmos to DD+/Atmos by the TV (thats nonsensical).  It certainly isnt re-encoded to MAT 2.0/Atmos over ARC (it doesnt have the bandwidth for that, even in max bandwidth common mode)

No, it's NOT "nonsensical". In fact, re-encoding all kinds of Dolby codecs as a consistent form of DD+ -- with Atmos metadata added where necessary -- is a key tool smart TVs use in combating multiple issues with AVR/soundbar support over regular ARC. For one, re-encoding is how smart TVs deal with lipsync issues over regular ARC; decoding audio BEFORE separating it from the video minimizes lipsync issues. (Lipsync issues most typically occur with regular ARC & optical/coax because lags occur in decoding AFTER the audio is separated from the video; eARC has built-in lipsync correction tools but doesn't eliminate this issue completely.) For another, it significantly reduces the audio lag many AVR/soundbar decoders experience when changing channels on a STB that passes thru raw bitstreams or PCM. I saw BOTH of those issues in action when I first connected my previous TCL 4K Roku TV to my Vizio SB36512-F6 soundbar using "Auto passthrough"; on the default "Auto detect" it transcoded everything to a consistent DD+ which eliminated channel-changing lag *and* allowed the TV to perform the needed lipsync correction. From there it's child's play for the TV to decode the DD+ part of a DD+ Atmos stream, re-encode it using its consistent version of DD+, and insert the Atmos metadata from the original stream. (May have been the original intent of the Netflix decoding mandate you deny exists.) It's not exactly the same with my current Vizio M55Q7-H1, but it also appears to use this "transcoding trick".

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And while the 4800 can output DD+/Atmos , either via passthrough ("Auto passthrough") or re-encode (if necessary, via "Auto detect"), its actually not a user-configurable option (you cannot select it, its only available via the two "Auto" modes and only if EDID detected - the same is true for MAT 2.x/Atmos, sans passthrough support).

WRONG! On my current setup, with the 4800 (connected to TV, then to soundbar via ARC) on "Auto detect" it actually outputs stereo PCM even when DD+ Atmos is available; I have to set it to "Dolby Digital Plus" to force it to output DD+ Atmos. Perhaps you missed that because that setting doesn't actually say "Atmos"? (Hopefully I won't need that after today when my Thenaudio SHARC is supposed to arrive, so I can effectively upgrade my soundbar to eARC which my TV supports.)

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The ATV4K and XB1X/S and XBSX/S do not require PCM MAT 2.0/Atmos output - its an audio output option for EDID-detected Atmos-supporting connections.

MAT/PCM Atmos is the *ONLY* way the ATV 4K will output Atmos. And it's "an audio output option" on Xbox One & Series ONLY for 4K Blu-rays where bitstreaming TrueHD Atmos from disc is ALSO an option. For games (where the console MUST decode ALL compressed audio so it can mix it; only PCM can be mixed) and Netflix (thanks to the decoding mandate), MAT/PCM Atmos is the *ONLY* option.

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Its not "my suggestion" as to what the GCCWGTV and the NetFlix app on it support in terms of Atmos - its extant reality.  Google themselves clearly states it has no Dolby decoder (passthrough only):

https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3046409?hl=en#zippy=%2Cchromecast-with-google-tv

"Video and audio support: Support Dolby Vision, VP9 and HLG decode. Support HDR10 and HDR10+ wide color space. Support Dolby audio pass through mode"

(which is also supported by the fact that there are many threads and posts from legacy DD-only TV/AVR owners frustrated and angry over the fact)

Which, once again, only CONFIRMS why the "GCCWGTV" (as you continue to confusingly refer to the Chromecast with Google TV) CANNOT meet the Netflix decoding mandate for Atmos support. *IF* that has been relaxed, it's *ONLY* been recently (FAR LESS than "7-10 months", per NUMEROUS reports that Atmos did NOT work on the Chromecast with Google TV's Netflix app initially).

I've never really argued with you on the Tivo Stream 4K as I wasn't familiar with it till your previous reply (notice I didn't recognize your abbreviation there at all), but the Netflix support page you posted is the FIRST thing I've seen so far that suggests the Chromecast with Google TV *does* support Atmos on Netflix now. Given the NUMEROUS reports otherwise FAR LESS than "7-10 months" ago, I'm sure that was added just recently; assuming it's correct (it IS from Netflix after all), Netflix must have JUST relaxed its decoding mandate (which made more sense on smart TVs for the reasons I gave earlier; external streaming boxes can always readily pass thru DD+ Atmos via regular, non-ARC/eARC HDMI without running into lipsync issues).

Bottom line: All your nitpicking at my posts meant NOTHING to the OP. The OP decided, correctly IMO, that they needed the 4800 because the Express 4K+ (like their older Ultra) doesn't support Vision *or* Atmos. It also factored into why I bought a 4800 after replacing my TCL with a Vizio; in other ways the Vizio is a better TV, but Vizio's SmartCast platform (though much improved over the years) still doesn't quite live up to the versatility of Roku, and I certainly still wanted Vision & Atmos on Roku.

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You may recall you said "The only other standalone streaming boxes that support Atmos on Netflix are up to twice the 2020 Ultra's price." - a factually incorrect statement, that you attempted to further substantiate with a series of other factually incorrect claims and denials of reality (along with anecdotal Atmos meanderings).

Both the GCCWGTV and the TS4K support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in NetFlix today, and as of 7 months ago for the GCCWGTV, and as of 10 months ago the TS4K - and can be had for $35-50 - half the price of the 4800, not twice as much.

You still seem to have an issue acknowledging these basic facts, despite clear information provided to you otherwise.

If you are going to put the interests of the OP forward, I'm sure the OP is and was better served by more up-to-date and factually correct information, not outdated and incorrect information.