Solving playback issues

[MoDyck]

Ok. Here's the background.

Toshiba TV, Yamaha 6230 receiver. Roku Streaming Stick Plus.

The Roku is directly in the TV via HDMI. Power is through the wall adapter. Optical audio FROM TV TO Yamaha 6230. The volume on the TV is completely off, because I don't want doubled audio.

Randomly, in any channel, any app, the audio will go garbled, in random ways. Video will be uninterrupted, and the only way to correct it is by resetting the Roku.

I've used two different optical cables, and tested them both using different devices, without problem.

Please help. If I have to, I can use alternate methods for getting audio to the receiver if need be, but I would rather the best audio possible.

[dathead2]

I have basically same setup but Roku ultra and Sony tv. Works fine. Have no clue why this would happen but if no one else replies with a working solution might I suggest the J-tech hdmi optical splitter. I used that before I had a tv that would do it (still have it and would give it to you but don’t know how to work that out?!)

theyre only $15

[dathead2]

Might I also suggest canned forced air on all optical ports in case there is dust etc

[MoDyck]

Ok. So a HDMI to optical cable from the TV to the receiver? If it matters, the Toshiba is a Regza of one of the first generations. It doesn't have ARC for HDMI. If that matters.

[MoDyck]

And all ports are cleaned often. Plus, it being completely random (like right now I've watched three episodes of **bleep**'s Kitchen flawlessly, but before that, I needed to restart it twice in one episode. 

[dathead2]

I put hdmi/optical splitter BETWEEN Roku and tv.  This leaves the tv out of the picture audio wise.   Note it’s a small IC device not a cable.  

[StreamerUser]

Since the TV is currently doing the transcoding/converting of DD+ from HDMI to DD via Optical, make sure it has the most recent firmware, and that any settings related to HDMI/SPDIF/Optical are correctly configured.

Without the TV in the chain, there wont be any device doing DD+ to DD transcoding/converting (the SS+ doesnt support Dolby decoding), so the HDMI>Optical converter would have to do this, otherwise you lose 5.1 on most apps.

Otherwise, if you want your Roku to do Dolby decoding (and transcode DD+ to DD for output over HDMI), you need a 2020 Ultra (4800), or 2016 Ultra (4640).

[MoDyck]

However, my receiver can't do audio in via HDMI, so that's kinda moot, I think.

I will likely try the J-tech device recommended above, which apparently grabs the audio data from the Roku, bypassing the tv, so encoding should not be an issue then.

[dathead2]

If you want my J tech for free (just would like shipping fees) contact me at my Roku user name at gmail ...

[StreamerUser]

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@MoDyck wrote:

However, my receiver can't do audio in via HDMI, so that's kinda moot, I think.

I will likely try the J-tech device recommended above, which apparently grabs the audio data from the Roku, bypassing the tv, so encoding should not be an issue then.

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Most streaming services (e.g. NetFlix/Prime/Hulu/Disney+) only use DD+ for 5.1 support.

Some offer both DD+ and DD, depending on selected content/detected support (HBOMax/Apple TV) or allow you to select it (Paramount+)

A few (e.g. The Roku Channel) only use DD for 5.1 support.

The SS+ (381x) does not have a Dolby decoder - it only does Dolby passthrough.  It cannot transcode/convert DD+ to DD.

Because you are using the AVR's Optical in, something has to convert/transcode the DD+ (e.g. from NetFlix/Prime/Disney+/Hulu/etc) to DD for Optical (for your AVR) in order to maintain 5.1 surround - currently that something is apparently your TV (unless it doesnt and you havent really noticed/cared).

As long as the HDMI->Optical converter device has a built-in Dolby decoder that can convert/transcode DD+ from HDMI to DD for Optical, then it wont be a problem.  If it doesnt have a Dolby decoder then you'll be limited to 2.0 for most services - a $15 device wont have a Dolby decoder.

If you dont care about 5.1, or are fine with limited DD5.1 from HBO Max/Apple TV/The Roku Channel apps and otherwise upmixing the 2.0 from everything else to 5.1 using DPLII/etc in your AVR, then this will work fine.