Update Now TV app for apple TV

[Anonymous User]

Will the Now TV app for Apple TV ever get an update?

The current version is complete rubbish and makes me regret ever getting a Now TV pass.

Unless there is an update my Now TV experience will be very short indeed.

[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. 

[markyHDX]

Well, I’m not sure what the point of that post is, but I’ve just checked again and it’s still working, so they’re obviously updating something in the background and for some of us it’s clearly working which is a big positive.

Frustratingly not for everyone quite yet, but to state it isn’t 5.1 isn’t accurate as of yesterday.

[waldopepper]

What version does everyone have? It lists NowTV as being recently updated for me in the app store, but sound is still shown as Stereo (as shown on my amp) for any NowTV. Others like Netflix show sound on my amp as Multi Channel when in 5.1 or Dolby Vision.

I have version 6.5.3 for NowTV

[MarkB1]

I'm also on 6.5.3

So I just tried the Now app again (same settings as I left it before lunch), and my receiver is now reporting DD 5.1, however I'm not getting any sound through the rear speakers.  I first noticed the change when watching Sky One live, then tried the on demand movies etc and they are also reporting DD 5.1.  I tested the same programmes, movies and live channels with the Now TV 4K box, and the sound is clear through the rear speakers for the same content.  

Hopefully this is just a sign they are in final testing.  

[dr_necessitor]

Just watched a few minutes of Sky Sports Live - NOW TV app is 6.5.3 and Sonos app is reporting DD5.1 (can hear it too via the rear speakers)

[MrZippy]

If I log into NowTV I get a pop up try to sell boost, with a link to their FAQ.  This doesn’t exclude the Apple TV or tvOS for surround sound. 

Can I get Full HD and Surround Sound on my mobile, tablet, PC, Mac or other device?

No. The HD and Surround Sound features of Boost aren't available on any of the following devices that you can watch NOW on:

• PC/Mac
• iOS or Android mobile devices 
• Roku devices other than Roku Express or Roku Streaming Stick
• Chromecast 1st and 2nd generation.

We're always looking to make Boost available on more devices, so check back regularly to see if your favourite device is supported.

[nst]

wishful thinking @MrZippy 

This page is somewhat high level.

The usual page still explicitly says that 5.1 is not supported on AppleTV although I suspect they will be quick to change that as and when its officially sorted.

FAQs still as follows:

FAQs

What do I need to get NOW Boost?

You just need any NOW Membership (except Sports Mobile Membership) to be able to add Boost and watch ad-free on up to 3 devices at once.

To enjoy the other benefits of Full HD, Surround Sound and 50fps on Sky Sports channels, you’ll need:

• An HD TV
• A minimum internet speed of 12Mbps
• Dolby digital 5.1 surround sound speakers or sound bar, for the optimal audio experience
• One of these devices: 
  • NOW Smart Stick
  • Any NOW Box
  • Amazon Fire TV Stick (2nd & 3rd Gen, 4K, Lite & Basic Edition)
  • Amazon Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen (2019)
  • Amazon Fire TV 2nd Gen (2015) & 3rd Gen (2017)
  • Amazon Fire TV Edition – JVC 4K (2019), HD/FHD (2020) & 2K (2021); Technika/Bush 4K (2020)
  • Nebula Soundbar (2019)
  • Roku Express or Roku Streaming Stick
  •  
  • Sony TV (most models from 2016)
  • PS4
  • PS5
  • Xbox One (50fps not currently available)
  • Xbox Series X & S (50fps not currently available)
  • Apple TV HD (gen 4) or 4K (Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound not supported on Apple TV)
  • YouView (including TalkTalk & BT boxes)
  • LG Web OS TV (50fps not currently available)
  • JVC Fire TV Edition Smart 4K TV
  • Chromecast Ultra or 3rd generation (see the image below if you're not sure what generation your Chromecast is).

[Hooba]

Xcode is showing just 2.0 audio. I'll keep an eye on it though .....

[nst]

Sorry to report but this seems like a bit of a red herring.

Ive just checked it myself and I have the recently updated version of the App.. but its still just producing 2.0.

TV connected to Sonos ARC sound bar via TV Audio Return Channel.  Sonos reporting 2.0 soundtrack only.

Checked a movie and still just 2.0.

[dr_necessitor]

@nst My Sonos is connected via optical. I wonder if that’s what makes a difference to 5.1 or no 5.1?

[jetbootjack]

Anyone able to pause live TV on Apple TV -  the device is listed as one able to now pause live TV but the UI on live streams just shows now and next rather than the transport controls you get on boxsets and other  non-live content?

sTeVE

[nst]

@dr_necessitor I doubt that.

The AppleTV is either outputting 5.1 or it isn't.

Some hardware is capable of making its own pseudo-5.1 mix.  Its your TV that could be doing this not the Sonos as its the TV thats passing the signal down to the Sonos.

[Hooba]

Xcode shows what sort of stream AppleTV is receiving. And for audio that's currently (as of last night) aac 2.0 at about 160 kbps.

[nst]

@Hooba 

Thanks for the clarification.

Agreed its only 2.0 still.  As I said i think others experiences are red herrings at this point as Now seem just as unwilling to address this issue as they have been since December.

My sonos sound system does a fair job of using all the speakers even when a 2.0 signal is received... to the point where in the past pre-boost I was often convinced that NowTV had changed to 5.1 sound (they had not) as 'rear' sounds were indeed coming from the rear speakers (dont ask me how it does that when all it has to work with is a 2.0 signal!).  Sonos still correctly reports a 2.0 stream though.

[dr_necessitor]

Ok thanks, wasn’t sure if different set ups might cause different resulting experience.

here, the Sonos app reports that the Playbase audio-in is Dolby Digital 5.1 and I’m getting sound from rear speakers on live sport (watching on Apple tv 4K). It sounds a lot better than it used to. When I get a minute, I’ll get my MacBook and see what Xcode reports the Apple tv audio-out to be.

[nst]

@dr_necessitor 

Interesting you say that.

If the Sonos app is reporting that it is receiving a 5.1 signal then it indeed is.  

I do not have a sports pass.. and I can only test using entertainment or movies.

My test was a movie from Sky Cinema.  Thats not to say that your sports pass was indeed giving you a 5.1 signal.

I believe that the app can have no problems whatsoever providing a 5.1 signal and the reasons that it has not yet are far more mysterious..

I can imagine that some content delivered via the app could well be 5.1 - but seemingly only the sports channels.

Maybe someone with a sports AND cinema pass... and equipment that will definitively  identify the source audio format (such as Sonos) could do a quick test to see if we are getting 5.1 and from what channel.

[dr_necessitor]

@nst yes the experience of somebody with Sports & Cinema would be interesting to know. Also useful to know if any difference between live & catch up content on Entertainment. Entertainment but no cinema pass here. Don’t watch anything live on NOW here except Sport, so not enough info to draw any conclusions from my experience alone. Need reports from a wider range of people!

[Hooba]

To be clear. Xcode shows what stream is being received, not what AppleTV is doing with that stream.

For live Sports, SDR, 1080, 50FPS, audio AAC, 2.0 audio channels.

Sports on demand: SDR, 720, 25FPS, AAC, 2.0 audio channels.

On demand and live movies, both: SDR, 1080, 25FPS, audio AAC, 2.0 audio channels.

Above, is the stream(s) from NowTv.

[nst]

@dr_necessitor 

Lets hope someone can clarify.

Personally I would be surprised that if the app is able to provide live, or sports in 5.1 and everything else in 2.0.

Id have thought it either can, or cannot across the board.

[nst]

@Hooba 

Certainly looks definitive to me!

No 5.1 yet.

To be honest, ive given up on the promises they gave when they released it of 'soon'.

I would think that it will miraculously be fixed December 2021..... 1 year after the release of the Firestick app.