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Image freeze when streaming 4k HDR and Dolby Atmos

MARCOpain
Community Member

‎06-30-2025 08:41 AM

Hello, I hope I will find some answers here as I couldn't find any elsewhere.

I've been having trouble playing 4k HDR content + Dolby Atmos ; the movie will play for a few seconds and then the image freezes but the audio continues playing.

I've been watching 4k HDR content since I purchased the CCwGTV 4K a few years back no problem.

I recently bought a Samsung soundbar HW-Q990D and that's when the problem started.

My current setup is : CCwGTV 4K -> soundbar HDMI in -> eARC from soundbar -> eARC HDMI on samsung tv QN65Q80t (using a brand new HDMI cable supplied with the soundbar).

Wifi reception is more than perfect, HDMI-CEC is on, HDR is on, sound format is set to automatic. 

I've done a few tests to be able to determine that the problem was indeed the Chromecast itself, here is an example:  I played a 4K HDR + Dolby Atmos title from Netflix using the app from the Samsung TV and everything worked fine. But when playing the same movie using Netflix app from the Chromecast, everything seems fine for a few seconds then the image freezes and the sound keeps on going. I did a similar test with Youtube as well : TV app works fine , Chromecast youtube app, image freeze....  (4k + surround 5.1, not even atmos)

I also tried watching the second Hobbit movie using the Google TV service (I had rented it, 4k version) and same thing happens: image freeze, sounds keep on going.

I'd like to add that, when first launching a youtube with CCwGTV, it plays just fine but I notice that the video quality is automatically set to 720p, it is when I manually force it to 4k that the problem occurs.   

It seems to me that this happens when the chromecast is outputting 4k + surround/Dolby Atmos at the same time.

The soundbar is properly outputting from the eARC as I can see it with the TVs source menu

All settings on the TVs  is as it should be as well I believe (CEC/anynet, digital output audio on auto, HDMI eARC mode is on auto, input signal plus is on )

Can anyone help me with this issue?

TIA

 

Marco

 

 

 

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1 REPLY 1

DeboraJ
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

a month ago

Hi @MARCOpain,

 

Thanks for your post in the community! I understand you're experiencing some inconveniences with your Chromecast with Google TV (4K), especially when using it with your Samsung soundbar. It sounds like the image freezes while the audio continues when playing 4K HDR content, particularly with Dolby Atmos. I know how difficult this may be but I appreciate your efforts in testing different apps and settings. I'm ready to assist you.

To help us proceed, could you please provide a bit more information:

  • Is your Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar's firmware up to date?
  • Have you tried connecting your Chromecast directly to your TV's HDMI input (bypassing the soundbar) to see if 4K HDR content plays without freezing?
  • Have you cleared the cache and data for the Netflix and YouTube apps on your Chromecast (in Settings > Apps)?
  • Is your Chromecast firmware fully updated? (You can check this in Settings > System > About).
  • Have you tried temporarily setting the Chromecast resolution to 1080p and then playing 4K content to see if the problem persists?

As soon as you have these details, I'll be happy to help you further!

 

Best regards,

Debora

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