A brand new tvOS function could also be wrecking your Apple TV's audio

Usually, new options are welcome in any software program replace. Even in case you do not care a lot about them, they might not less than be benign or useful to another person. I’ve heard some folks complaining about Liquid Glass in iOS 26, for instance, but it surely’s comparatively easy to tone down in case you do not just like the aesthetic. Likewise, I do not fairly get the fury some folks direct in direction of Copilot in Home windows 11, since my very own workflow makes the tech very simple to disregard if I do not want it.

The Steady Audio Connection function in tvOS 26.4 is essentially related, however below some circumstances, it might truly make your audio worse. On this piece I will clarify what it does, and why it would backfire, noting after all that it does exist for a purpose. Apple’s not within the sport of deliberately sabotaging your home theater system.

What does Steady Audio Connection do, and what’s unsuitable with it?

Fixing a really particular drawback

You may allow Steady Audio Connection by going to Settings -> Video and Audio -> Audio Format, and toggling it below HDMI Output choices. Superfcially, Apple’s description of the function makes it sound like vital, even boring, noting that it “makes use of a Dolby MAT connection for glitch-free playback throughout codecs.” The corporate’s solely warning is that whereas some older receivers might flag all audio as Atmos, the unique audio combine is unmodified.

The tech appears designed to unravel just a few issues, above all points with Sonos audio system related to receivers. Previous to tvOS 26.4, some Sonos house owners had been complaining about low quantity and even popping sounds, largely when coping with 5.1-channel audio. However even exterior of Sonos gear, audio can probably drop out for a second when switching codecs, which is clearly irritating.

When Steady Audio Connection is on, an Apple TV delivers audio decoded and uncompressed in PCM (Pulse-Code Modulation) type, with Atmos channel data hooked up as metadata as a substitute. It is this bundle that is known as Dolby MAT, brief for Metadata-enhanced Audio Transmission. In concept, all the pieces ought to sound appropriate, no matter whether or not there’s an Atmos system on the opposite finish.

This does certainly appear to repair the difficulty with 5.1-channel PCM audio sounding unusually quiet versus Atmos. Beforehand, the one workaround was to disable eARC, which is important for uncompressed Atmos. However some persons are complaining about new points, as an illustration when taking part in stereo sound. So what offers?

The reply as soon as once more pertains to receivers. Regularly, one of many advantages of proudly owning one is that it will possibly take a secular combine and improve it. However because the MAT bundle in Steady Audio Connection is robotically flagged as Atmos, your receiver does not trouble upmixing stereo indicators, even when it is absolutely succesful. Because of this, flipping Steady Audio Connection on may very well lead to worse output than you had earlier than. It most likely will not sound horrible — simply distinctly unimpressive, like being served a taco crammed with nothing greater than meat and lettuce.

So what settings must you use for the perfect audio?

Between a rock and a tough place

A pair of HomePods paired to an Apple TV 4K streaming Apple TV+

For a begin, most individuals ought to depart Steady Audio Connection off except they’re experiencing the amount, popping, or interruption issues I cited above. Even then, you would possibly wish to weigh their severity — if all you are coping with is audio often ducking out for a second, that will not be a giant deal. Naturally, you need to flip it on immediately in case you slot into that slender group that owns each Sonos audio system and a receiver. I am virtually shocked these folks exist, actually. Usually one of many perks of a Sonos system is minimizing wired connections, and you do not want a receiver for Atmos (extra on that in a minute). However then, I am completely proud of nothing greater than a soundbar, so some audiophiles would possibly label me a heretic.

It is also finest to depart Audio Format set to Auto, as a rule, with Dolby Atmos turned on or off relying on what your audio system are able to. It is Auto’s mode switching that will trigger these dropouts, however your Apple TV ought to not less than decide the right format based mostly on what’s taking part in.

There are exceptions to utilizing Auto. A method you would possibly get across the Dolby MAT upmixing drawback, for instance, is by leaving Steady Audio Connection off, however setting Audio Format to Stereo Solely. This sends uncompressed two-channel PCM audio, which your receiver could possibly flip right into a simulated surround-sound expertise that makes use of all of your audio system. Since nearly any film, sport, or TV present will not less than assist stereo, there should not be any mode-switching glitches.

There may be another choice, Convert to Dolby Digital 5.1, however this could most likely be prevented. For one, you are getting compressed audio, though that is not essentially a giant cope with streaming — you are not going to get lossless audio from most companies, regardless of in case you’re paying prime greenback for a “premium” plan. Lossless consumes loads of bandwidth, and the distinction will not be distinguishable, no matter whether or not you have obtained high-end audio system.

Extra importantly, there’s simply no specific benefit to pressured 5.1 except your gear does not assist Atmos or multi-channel PCM. I suppose that might make audio persist with a single mode, however in case you’ve obtained a receiver, you would possibly truly get higher outcomes from that Stereo Solely sign.

What do you really want for Dolby Atmos on an Apple TV?

A choosy ecosystem

Apple specifies a number of choices for Atmos output. The best is an Atmos-capable TV, however merely utilizing your TV’s inner audio system is prone to be disappointing. It is true that higher TVs are beginning to embody respectable inner {hardware} — however there’s solely a lot energy you possibly can construct into a skinny body, by no means thoughts attempting to duplicate the 3D results Atmos was designed for.

The subsequent step up is an Atmos-compatible soundbar, such because the Sonos Beam. This may virtually actually produce louder and clearer sound, particularly in bass frequencies. Purists should still decry this as “faux” Atmos, nevertheless, since to attain 3D results, some channels are bounced off your partitions and/or ceiling. The precise configuration relies on the bar. That is most likely greater than satisfactory for the common individual — however strictly talking, excellent {surround} sound entails devoted audio system for every channel. These can produce extra correct and centered sound that is not contingent on a room’s acoustics.

When you do wish to go together with a soundbar, be conscious of the necessities in your TV’s finish. You could possibly get compressed Atmos by way of HDMI ARC, however to ensure assist — lossless or in any other case — it is best to plug into eARC. That, in flip, means having a TV with HDMI 2.1 or later. You may additionally need to plug the speaker right into a port particularly marked for eARC.

Here is the place issues get attention-grabbing. If you do not have a soundbar to funnel issues by means of, there are solely two different methods of getting Atmos by way of an Apple TV: a pair of full-sized HomePods, or a receiver-based setup. Whilst you can technically set any AirPlay 2-compatible speaker as a default wi-fi audio output, solely HomePods get the privilege of Atmos, ignoring the truth that something linked over Wi-Fi ought to provide greater than sufficient bandwidth. Presumably the corporate is frightened about lip sync — it will possibly’t ensure that third-party AirPlay audio system will sync correctly.

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