Chromecast 5.1 issue?

[apuk2004]

Hi All

When I cast the NOWTV app using my android 10 phone (pixel 3a) it works and picture seems to be HD but the sound is showing as stereo. Went to the NOWTV app on my phone and can't switch to 5.1 surround. It says I need the Boost pass but I already have that and can switch to 5.1 on other devices like Youview and PS4.

https://ibb.co/tZ4qh7L 

Any ideas?

[schnapps]

Hi @apuk2004 

Bit of a long shot, what happens if you sign out of the NowTV App on your phone, then log back in again with the same account details that you use on your PS4 / Youview Box ?

If that doesn't work perhaps try a fresh download on the NowTV App and Google Cast App on your smartphone.

I don't use my Chromecast for streaming NowTV so i won't be any further help.

Then hopefully you can do this.

To select surround sound:

• Step 1: In the NOW TV app on your smartphone, go to My Account and scroll down to the Playback section.
• Step 2: Under Chromecast Sound, ensure that Dolby Digital 5.1 is selected.

To select stereo:

• Step 1: In the NOW TV app on your smartphone, go to My Account and scroll down to the Playback section.
• Step 2: Under Chromecast Sound, ensure that Stereo is selected.

[schnapps]

Hi @apuk2004 

If you have the Chromecast directly hooked up to a HDMI switcher box, see what happens if you bypass it and plug the Chromecast Dongle directly into your TV or AV Receiver.

Edit - Also assuming you are using a generation 3 Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra with the HD Boost Pass ?

• Chromecast Ultra or 3rd generation (note that 1st and 2nd generation Chromecast devices are not supported. See the image below if you're not sure what generation your Chromecast is.)

Help tipIf you're using Chromecast with iOS, you'll need to have the latest version of the NOW TV app (10.12.0) to enjoy Boost.

[apuk2004]

Reinstalled the android app, no difference.

The Chromecast is directly plugged into the TV and then I use HDMI (ARC) to a 5.1 receiver & speakers.

My other HDMI devices are plugged into the receiver and get 5.1 fine and I have a firestick plugged directly into the TV and that gets 5.1 ok. 

If you look at the screenshot the Chromecast options for stereo and surround are greyed out so could it be because i get NOWTV through BT?

[schnapps]

Hi @apuk2004 

As a quick temporary test what happens if you plug in your Chromecast Gen 3 or Ultra directly into one of the HDMI input ports on your AV Receiver ?

I don't think if you are a BT TV customer matters if you subscribe to the BT TV NowTV HD Bolt on Package (might be wrong though because i am not a BT TV customer).

[apuk2004]

Appreciate your help and ideas on this 😎👍🏻

Just plugged the Chromecast into a spare HDMI port on the receiver and it's still casting stereo😞How annoying! 

As I said I can do NOWTV in 5.1 on other devices wether they are plugged into the receiver or the TV.

Just been playing with other apps that can cast such as YouTube and BBC iPlayer and they are also just outputting stereo so it's either the Chromecast settings, my pixel 3a or the amp. I'll have a play around.

If anyone else had a Chromecast V3 and NOWTV BOOST it would be useful to know wether surround option is available..

Chromecast 5.1 issue  

Thanks.

[schnapps]

Hi @apuk2004

Changing to 5.1 on the NowTV App with my Chromecast Gen 3 worked for me using my Sony Xperia Android phone.

Here's the screen shot 

 

No idea why it's not selectable for you if everything is up to date. 

Under My Account on the NowTV phone App I was using Standard play back quality. 

I am guessing your phone and Chromecast has the latest update? 

[apuk2004]

Yeah phone on Android 10 with latest security updates and sure Chromecast gets updates automatically?🤔

I wonder if it's because it's NOWTV via BT...

It's as if NOWTV doesn't think I have BOOST..

My account...

[schnapps]

Hi @apuk2004 

Because you are a BT TV customer perhaps either try the BT Community or get in touch with BT support (unless somebody on the NowTV Forum knows how to resolve it).

https://help.nowtv.com/article/bt-support 

[apuk2004]

Thanks @schnapps 

I really don't think BT are gonna help with a NOWTV app issue but it's worth a try. 

I'll have a look on their forum and see if anyone else has the same issue 👍🏻

[schnapps]

Hi @apuk2004 

BT would be your first point of call because you are a BT TV customer using the NowTV Bolt on service paid through BT direct.

You could try NowTV live chat if nobody comes to your rescue on here, but i would guess they will bounce you back to BT because you are their customer even if the App is NowTV's.

i would also try the BT TV Community Forum if it was me.

If you get it sorted, i for one will be interested to know what was going wrong.

[apuk2004]

Well after being passed from pillar to post on BTs helpline I'm back at square 1😭

They just said I've got the boost pass so should be getting 5.1 sound on my device.

They also advised I contact NOWTV so is there an email address I can use?

I've also posted this issue on BTs forum🤞🏻

Cheers

[schnapps]

Hi @apuk2004 

[Saint1976]

Do you have another phone or tablet and spare slots on your pass to test the app on another device?

Have you ever used Netflix free trial? If not, sign up for the first month free and cast something with 5.1

Either of those options should mean you can work out of its the pixel, Chromecast or app.

[apuk2004]

Good shout...

I've used all 6 slots but could have a play as I have a tablet and work mobile so could install NOWTV on one of them.

I can get a Netflix trial too so I'll post back when I've tested it all

Thanks dude 👍

[schnapps]

Netflix doesn't offer a free trial in the UK anymore the last time i checked 😠.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2019/12/netflix-getting-rid-of-free-trials-for-uk-customers/ 

Good call mind about trying a different mobile device and service to eliminate things further 👍.  

[Saint1976]

Yeah, seems I'm a bit out of date with Netflix.

I've just checked my prime video. That can be cast in DD+ and they still have a free trial!

[apuk2004]

Hi guys thanks for your help yesterday

Thought I'd post an update...

Installed Netflix on my pixel 3a and casting using my Chromecast V3 still get stereo so maybe not a NOWTV issue after all!

Also tried Netflix on my firestick 4K and that allows 5.1 so it seems more like an issue with the Chromecast!

Bit stumped now and will probably just use the Chromecast as a last resort.

Also fairly sure that my Chromecast is capable of 5.1 and that it's a V3 due to comparisons I've made online.

If I get any updates or changes to this I will update you. Thanks again😎👍🏻

Also found this info quite interesting...

https://support.google.com/chromecast/thread/812989?hl=en&msgid=24078819

[apuk2004]

Sorry guys but got another update 😂

Tried a new combo tonight...

Chromecast V3 plugged into my Sony DH820 HDMI Receiver and Netflix outputs 5.1 but NOWTV still only doing stereo!?!

Look...

Netflix Pixel 3a Chromecast HDMI receiver 

NOWTV Pixel 3a Chromecast HDMI receiver

I have opened a ticket with NOWTV as that error about needing BOOST doesn't look right to me still 😞

[Saint1976]

@apuk2004 I went down several rabbit holes after your original post where lots of people say they can't get 5.1 through Chromecast while others can and there doesn't seem to be a single reason why!

Looking at your latest post I think it's going to be an error in the app so good luck getting it sorted!

[schnapps]

Hi @apuk2004 

Out of curiosity did you try the Chromecast Gen 3 Dongle with a different smartphone when using the NowTV App ?

Also when watching Netflix through the Sony AV Receiver, i am assuming that Dolby Digital Plus was showing also on the Sony Receiver Display panel ?

I doubt this is relevant, but sometimes a full factory reset on the Google Chromecast works when NowTV is a little flaky or not playing nicely with the NowTV App.

Hopefully somebody from NowTV Technical Dept will figure it out.