Update Now TV app for apple TV

[nst]

This all looks interesting....

I havent had a chance to check this myself.

Anyone else managed to see if this is working now?

A couple of observations:

1.  The labels on the content (HD, STEREO/ 5.1) aren't accurate.  Remember, on the AppleTV app it took them quite a long time to STOP labelling their content with 5.1 after the launch of the app.

2.  The support pages still mention the fact that 5.1 is not supported on AppleTV.  Id have expected them to update this quite quickly if they have indeed fixed it.

So, any more tests people have done yet?

[MarkB1]

It doesn't appear to have updated for me.  I am still getting LPCM 48 from On Demand or live movies, which is the same as it has always been.  I tried Midway, and nothing is coming from my rear speakers.  Content from other apps (Netflix, AppleTV, Prime etc) flag as DD+ 5.1.  I don't have a sports sub at the moment so cannot check the sports channels.

[markyHDX]

Perhaps this is to do with how the signal is being sent.

My TV is linked to my sound at via optical, not HDMI audio for Apple TV (sound bar doesn’t support HDR/4K pass through so I have to send it ‘through’ my tv as bitstream (not touched basically), so it’s very obvious when it is and isn’t receiving a Dolby 5.1 signal. My TV offers the option of decoding and sending as pcm or not, which as described I choose not to.

Worth looking at perhaps?

[markyHDX]

I only mention the above because if I recall Netflix send DD+ format, which is equally supported by my sound bar, however if I try to set my TV to pass through DD+ (It lets me choose normal 5.1 or DD+ pass through along with PCM), it doesn’t function properly, not sure if the TV can’t send the DD+ 5.1, but I basically get stereo. I read also that ATMOS is sent as DD+ not 5.1, so those of us with more legacy DD parameter settings, maybe it’s that? Ie. Now TV is sending, or wants to send traditional 5.1, not DD+

in fact I think my Apple TV is set up as optical output / 5.1 bitstream also, could it be that?

[MarkB1]

It might be my setup as you say, but I've just tried my Now TV 4K device (which sits side-by-side my Apple TV and connected identically to my receiver via TV passthrough) and it reports DD+5.1 when playing Midway, and the sound is clear through my rear speakers. 

[markyHDX]

How is your Apple TV setup in the sound options?

Apple TV my side is set up as output - tv speakers, format DD 5.1

I ask as a couple of peeps mentioned Sonos, and if memory serves unlike the newer ones, most of them were optical input only, so perhaps similar setup to mine

[MarkB1]

Just checked and my settings are TV Speakers and Dolby Digital 5.1

I tried changing it to Auto, and still no sound from my rear speakers, but I did notice it changed my Netflix audio to HD-DCS (LPCM 48).  

As you say, probably my setup and Now encoding audio differently from AppleTV, Netflix etc.

[nst]

Move along...

sadly nothing to see here then 😞 

[nst]

its funny... i have a note to myself to cancel my boost pass this week as its going up to £5 a month (for me anyway!) and I refuse out of principle to pay that given the inability for the appleTV to support 5.1.

For a minute there I thought I might now have to cancel!

Should have known better.

Sky's inability to implement 5.1 in their app on the AppleTV is mindblowingly incomprehensible when everyone else manages it no problem.

[MarkB1]

@nst I would test it first, it may just be an issue with my setup.