Comunity Strength - 5.1 sound not working for older devices (dolby digital)

[flaviotom]

Hi guys!

After reading some Q&A about CCwGTV, I understand that not having support decoding old Dolby Digital format is almost strategic to force users to buy new TV's with Dolby Digital Plus decoder. Does that makes sense?

I mean, new TV's comes with a lot of new decoders and features and I believe the main reason to buy a CCwGTV is to use old TV, which may have great sound and image, but  doesn't have support anymore from most popular apps (HBO MAX, Disney Plus, etc.)

So, how the community can work together with google to solve this issue? I mean, we are the ones who need the service. We should have a voice.

Please, let's hear from @User123456 how can we help. Please, reply to this post if you agree that google should do something to fix this issue. If @User123456 doesn't want to fix at, at least an official note should do, so we can decide better before buying a casting device.

Note: please reply using @User123456 . Let's make sure they will listen to us.

Kind Regards!

[kiltguy2112 · Accepted solution]

I think the reason for DD+ is less nefarious. The device is already streaming 4k, so DD+ is just a way more efficient stream. There are companies that make audio extractors that will solve your problem. 

[kiltguy2112 · Accepted solution]

I think the reason for DD+ is less nefarious. The device is already streaming 4k, so DD+ is just a way more efficient stream. There are companies that make audio extractors that will solve your problem. 

[skinned · Accepted solution]

Dolby digital does work, even over TOSLINK/SPDIF. It's app/source dependent. Just last night I watched a show that natively had a DD auto track through my Yamaha RX-V1700 over TOSLINK, using "Straight" decoder mode (though Standard works too.)  I've had success with Prime Video and CBC apps. You can forget Netflix completely. 

Here's something funny: YouTube videos come through PCM Stereo - but some YouTube ads play in 5.1 surround despite the display on my stereo showing the stream is PCM stereo.  I don't understand this voodoo completely, but what I'd like is for them to support bitstream out to bypass audio processing on the Chromecast and the downstream device of my choice handle the decoding - that is, send the compressed audio stream down the line. 

My stereo is old but it sounds way too good to give up just yet, and this is the only HDMI device I have connected that behaves this way. Both my OG Xbox and Series X are 5.1  through the TV over the same cable, all of the time.

[flaviotom]

Thanks for replying. Doing a test yesterday I figured out that HBOMax works w/ 5.1 in CCwGTV. Strange thing is: same home theater, same TV, 5.1 worked fine w/ Netflix using FireStick and does not work using CCwGTV.

As you said, it is app/source dependent. So, taking Netflix as an example, it is a problem that concerns Netflix or @User123456 ? As I said, 5.1 worked fine on Netflix using FireStick.

[Jeran]

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help? If not, I'll go ahead and lock up this thread in 24 hours.

Just checking up,
Jeran
 

[Jeran]

Hey there flaviotom,

When it comes to Netflix in particular, Netflix will emit 5.1 surround sound if the Chromecast is connected to an AVR that supports Dolby Digital Plus (DD+). This is something that lies on Netflix's side of things, since that is how their codec works.

I hope that helps, if you had any other questions or concerns, please let me know.

Best regards,

Jeran

[Jeran]

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help?

Thank you,
Jeran
 

[Jeran]

Hey there!

We haven't heard back from flaviotom, and it's been a few days, so I'm locking the thread. As always, feel free to make a new thread if you have any more questions or concerns.

Thank you for your help, skinned and kiltguy2112!

Best regards,
Jeran