Let's start with a brief discussion of audio formats.ĪAC is a widely deployed audio codec in online video, often used as a baseline stereo audio codec.
But you can read up on these materials in this post on the Dolby Developer blog, which also provides full access to the various master playlists you’ll learn to create, as well as the actual HLS video clips they enable, and the presentations you'll see in these videos.įor more information HLS encoding in general, check out Apple's HLS Authoring Specification on the Apple Developer site. There’s a lot of detail in all presentations and they move pretty fast.
In the third tutorial, you’ll learn how to segment your streams and create media playlist files with Apple’s Media File Segmenter, and how to create the master playlist file that tells the playback client what audio formats and variants are available, including how to support multiple languages.įinally, you will learn how to validate your streams with Apple’s Media Stream Validator tool. In the second tutorial, you’ll learn how to measure audio loudness and how to encode files in Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, and AAC formats to support all devices and audio end points. In the first tutorial, we’ll provide an overview of the workflow and show examples of the tools you’ll need to get the job done. Over the course of this three-part tutorial series, we’ll show you how to do just that. Since the release of iOS 10, tvOS 10, and MacOS Sierra, you can now deliver Dolby Audio via HLS and play it back on any audio endpoint, including device speakers, headphones, or external sound systems via AirPlay or HDMI.
If however it shows "Auto (DD.)" then most apps/content (incuding NF/D+/Prime) will be output in 2.0 (aside from say the Roku Channel.which supports DD) since most streaming platforms now use DD+.Įven assuming the case of D+ and Prime giving you 5.1 but NF only 2.0 from your SS+, it still wouldn't be an issue with the Roku - but rather with NF's Roku app.This video tutorial series is sponsored by Dolby.ĭolby Audio is a family of premium sound format(s) that provides enhanced clarity, easy-to-hear dialogue, consistent volume, and also surround sound when played on a 5.1 or 7.1 channel system. If it shows "Auto (DD+.)" then you'll get 5.1 output on any app/content that supports it. Check Settings/Audio/Audio Mode - by default it should be "Auto (with the detected modes listed here)". If NF doesnt show a "5.1" tag on any content, that means the Roku isn't configured for DD+ output.
You should also know DD+ decoding/converting support in TVs varies widely in its implementation over the years and within brands, and there may be additional configuration necessary for the optimal/desired output via ARC/Optical.
Then either your TV is doing some form of DD+5.1 decoding/converting to DD5.1 via optical, or, your soundbar is applying surround upmixing (2.0 to 5.1/etc) to the 2.0 signal via optical from the TV.
If all Roku models included a DD+ decoder/encoder this issue would be pretty moot, since the Roku would just convert DD+ to DD for output when configured for/connected to a DD-only watching Disney Plus with surround sound using my Streaming Stick Plus right this moment. Its not so much a design flaw as a design limitation - Roku's (aside from the 4640) support passthrough (of supported codecs, with some exceptions), not conversion/encoding/transcoding. This is why you get NF w/5.1 with the FS4K and not with the SS+ (the FS4K is converting the NF DD+5.1 into DD5.1).Īs far as getting 5.1 from Prime and D+ with your SS+, you are probably mistaken (unless your HiSense has a somewhat broken/limited DD+ decoder/encoder HDMI/optical implementation) - they - like NF - use DD+ and only output PCM 2.0 when your SS+ is connected to a DD5.1 (not DD+5.1) capable device. The FS4K has a DD+ decoder/encoder (converts the DD+5.1 to DD5.1 for output) - the SS+ does not (the only Roku model that does is the Ultra 4640, as atc mentioned).
All other equipment being the same.Īlso, 5.1 surround works on the Roku for other streaming services like Amazon Prime and Disney Plus. Then the 5.1 surround from Netflix goes away when switching to the Roku Streaming Stick Plus.
I get 5.1 surround from Netlix using an Amazon Fire Stick from the Hisense TV output connected to a Vizio 5.1 sound bar via optical cable.