A brand new tvOS characteristic could also be wrecking your Apple TV’s audio

Usually, new options are welcome in any software program replace. Even for those who do not care a lot about them, they could not less than be benign or useful to another person. I’ve heard some folks complaining about Liquid Glass in iOS 26, for instance, however it’s comparatively easy to tone down for those who 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 characteristic in tvOS 26.4 is essentially comparable, however below some circumstances, it might really make your audio worse. On this piece I will clarify what it does, and why it’d backfire, noting in fact that it does exist for a cause. Apple’s not within the recreation of deliberately sabotaging your home theater system.

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

Fixing a really particular downside

You’ll be able to 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 characteristic makes it sound like essential, even uninteresting, 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 linked to receivers. Previous to tvOS 26.4, some Sonos homeowners had been complaining about low quantity and even popping sounds, principally 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.

Quiz

8 Questions · Check Your Data

Apple TV
Trivia Problem

Assume you recognize your Apple TV historical past inside out — put your data to the final word take a look at!

Historical past{Hardware}Software programOptionsStreaming

Start

In what yr did Apple first introduce the unique Apple TV?

A2005B2006C2007D2008

Appropriate! The unique Apple TV was unveiled by Steve Jobs in January 2007 and started transport in March of that yr. It was initially codenamed ‘iTV’ earlier than Apple settled on its ultimate title.

Not fairly. The primary Apple TV was introduced in January 2007 and began transport in March 2007. Steve Jobs launched it at Macworld, describing it as a technique to carry your iTunes library to your tv.

Proceed

What was the storage capability of the unique first-generation Apple TV at launch?

A20GB or 80GBB40GB or 160GBC8GB or 16GBD64GB or 128GB

Appropriate! The unique Apple TV launched with both a 40GB or 160GB laborious drive, because it was designed to retailer synced media regionally out of your iTunes library. This was earlier than streaming turned the dominant mannequin.

Not fairly. The primary Apple TV got here with both a 40GB or 160GB inside laborious drive. As a result of it was designed to sync content material from iTunes somewhat than purely stream it, native storage was a key a part of the unique design.

Proceed

What main redesign did Apple TV obtain in 2010 that dramatically modified its kind issue?

AIt turned a dongle that plugged into the HDMI portBIt shrank to a tiny puck-shaped machine and dropped native storageCIt was built-in into an Apple-branded tv setDIt gained a built-in Blu-ray drive

Appropriate! The second-generation Apple TV launched in 2010 was a dramatic departure — it shrunk to a tiny black puck and fully eliminated the interior laborious drive, shifting absolutely to streaming. It additionally dropped the value to only $99.

Not fairly. The 2010 Apple TV (2nd technology) was reimagined as a tiny black puck-shaped machine that eliminated native storage totally, counting on streaming as an alternative. Steve Jobs famously known as the unique a ‘interest’ earlier than this pivotal redesign.

Proceed

What’s the title of the working system that runs on Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K?

AiOSBmacOSCtvOSDiPadOS

Appropriate! tvOS is Apple’s devoted working system for the Apple TV platform, first launched alongside the fourth-generation Apple TV in 2015. It is primarily based on iOS however optimised for the lounge expertise.

Not fairly. Apple TV runs tvOS, a purpose-built working system Apple launched with the fourth-generation Apple TV in 2015. Whereas it shares a basis with iOS, tvOS is particularly tailor-made for big-screen, remote-controlled navigation.

Proceed

Which fourth-generation Apple TV characteristic allowed customers to put in third-party apps for the primary time?

AAirPlay 2 helpBThe App Retailer on Apple TVCSiri Distant integrationDHomeKit hub performance

Appropriate! The fourth-generation Apple TV in 2015 launched the App Retailer to the platform, lastly permitting builders to construct and distribute apps on to the TV. This was a landmark second that reworked Apple TV from a streaming field into a correct platform.

Not fairly. The App Retailer was the defining new characteristic of the fourth-generation Apple TV launched in 2015. For the primary time, customers might obtain video games, streaming apps, and utilities straight onto their Apple TV, opening it up as a real app platform.

Proceed

Which chip powers the Apple TV 4K (third technology) launched in 2022?

AA12 BionicBA14 BionicCA15 BionicDM1

Appropriate! The third-generation Apple TV 4K, launched in November 2022, is powered by the A15 Bionic chip, the identical processor discovered within the iPhone 13 sequence. This gave it a big efficiency increase and enabled easy 4K HDR playback.

Not fairly. The 2022 Apple TV 4K (third technology) makes use of the A15 Bionic chip. Apple typically reuses chips from its iPhone lineup in Apple TV, and the A15 provided a significant efficiency enchancment over the A12 discovered within the earlier mannequin.

Proceed

Apple TV+ launched as a streaming service in November 2019. What was notable about its launch pricing in lots of markets?

AIt was fully free for all Apple machine homeowners ceaselesslyBIt was priced greater than Netflix to sign premium content materialCIt launched at $4.99/month and provided a free yr with new machine purchasesDIt was bundled solely with an Apple TV {hardware} buy

Appropriate! Apple TV+ launched on 1 November 2019 at simply $4.99 monthly, making it one of the vital inexpensive streaming companies at launch. Crucially, Apple additionally provided a free one-year subscription to anybody who bought a brand new Apple machine.

Not fairly. Apple TV+ launched at $4.99 monthly and sweetened the deal by providing a free yr of the service to anybody shopping for a brand new Apple machine. The aggressive pricing was seen as Apple’s technique to quickly construct a subscriber base for its fledgling authentic content material library.

Proceed

What’s the title of Apple’s characteristic that enables iPhone customers to make use of their telephone as a digital camera supply by way of Apple TV?

AHandoff DigicamBContinuity DigicamCFaceTime RelayDAirCam

Appropriate! Continuity Digicam, launched with tvOS 17, permits customers to make use of their iPhone as a webcam for FaceTime calls on their Apple TV. It takes benefit of the iPhone’s superior digital camera {hardware} for a a lot better video calling expertise on the large display screen.

Not fairly. The characteristic known as Continuity Digicam, and it was launched with tvOS 17. By wirelessly connecting an iPhone to Apple TV, customers can get pleasure from high-quality FaceTime video calls on their tv utilizing their iPhone’s highly effective digital camera system.

See My Rating

Problem Full

Your Rating

/ 8

Thanks for enjoying!

Attempt Once more

When Steady Audio Connection is on, an Apple TV delivers audio decoded and uncompressed in PCM (Pulse-Code Modulation) kind, with Atmos channel data hooked up as metadata as an alternative. It is this bundle that is known as Dolby MAT, brief for Metadata-enhanced Audio Transmission. In concept, every thing 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 individuals are complaining about new points, as an example when enjoying stereo sound. So what provides?

The reply as soon as once more pertains to receivers. Regularly, one of many advantages of proudly owning one is that it may well take a secular combine and improve it. However for the reason that 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. Consequently, 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 full of nothing greater than meat and lettuce.

So what settings do you have to use for the perfect audio?

Between a rock and a tough place

Credit score: Apple

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 may wish to weigh their severity — if all you are coping with is audio sometimes ducking out for a second, that might not be a giant deal. Naturally, you need to flip it on immediately for those who slot into that slim group that owns each Sonos audio system and a receiver. I am nearly stunned 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 pleased with nothing greater than a soundbar, so some audiophiles may label me a heretic.

It is also greatest 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 which will trigger these dropouts, however your Apple TV ought to not less than decide the right format primarily based on what’s enjoying.

There are exceptions to utilizing Auto. A method you may get across the Dolby MAT upmixing downside, 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 might be able to flip right into a simulated surround-sound expertise that makes use of all of your audio system. Since nearly any film, recreation, or TV present will not less than help 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, irrespective of for those who’re paying high greenback for a “premium” plan. Lossless consumes loads of bandwidth, and the distinction might not be distinguishable, no matter whether or not you’ve got received high-end audio system.

Extra importantly, there’s simply no specific benefit to compelled 5.1 except your gear does not help Atmos or multi-channel PCM. I suppose that might make audio follow a single mode, however for those who’ve received a receiver, you may really get higher outcomes from that Stereo Solely sign.

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

A choosy ecosystem

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

The subsequent step up is an Atmos-compatible soundbar, such because the Sonos Beam. This can nearly actually produce louder and clearer sound, particularly in bass frequencies. Purists should decry this as “pretend” Atmos, nonetheless, since to attain 3D results, some channels are bounced off your partitions and/or ceiling. The precise configuration is dependent upon the bar. That is most likely greater than ample for the common particular person — however strictly talking, perfect {surround} sound includes devoted audio system for every channel. These can produce extra correct and targeted sound that is not contingent on a room’s acoustics.

In the event you do wish to go together with a soundbar, be conscious of the necessities in your TV’s finish. You might be able to get compressed Atmos by way of HDMI ARC, however to ensure help — 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 will additionally must plug the speaker right into a port particularly marked for eARC.

This is the place issues get attention-grabbing. If you do not have a soundbar to funnel issues by way 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. When 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 supply greater than sufficient bandwidth. Presumably the corporate is nervous about lip sync — it may well’t ensure that third-party AirPlay audio system will sync correctly.