Best option for streaming Atmos content?

[Tachead7075]

Hey guys, I'm just finishing building a new 5.2.4 setup and am looking for some info on the best option device wise for steaming Atmos content.

I am currently running a Denon AVR-X4500H with an Amazon Firestick 4K plugged into HDMI 1(CBL/SAT). I currently(5.2 as I haven't got the Atmos speakers yet) stream movies and MQA music via Netflix, Prime, Crave, & Tidal App. It works great for the most part.

Anyway, I want to have full support for lossless music(I have MQA via the Tidal app on FS4K now), Tidal Atmos music, as well as full Atmos support for at least Netflix and Prime. As I understand it(correct me if I'm wrong) my current setup will stream MQA and Atmos content on Prime and Tidal but, not on Netflix due to Netflix's annoyingly not allowing pass through of Atmos.

So, what do you guys suggest? From what I understand(again correct me if needed) I can get full Atmos support on Netflix if I upgrade my Firestick 4K to the Firecube Gen 2 or the Nvidia Shield/Shield Pro 2019. Is this the case? What are my other options? What about getting a Ultra HD Blu-ray player that has a Netflix app built in? What about a PlayStation 4 or 5? Would either of those options allow Atmos playback? Any other options?

Thanks guys, this is a pretty complicated subject(which is pretty ridiculous) and I would really appreciate some help to finish my Atmos setup in the best way possible. Thanks in advance.

 

[Trebdp83]

Not all devices and apps are equally capable and it's silly how many devices one has to have to get the best app for any given service.

 

[Tachead7075]

Not all devices and apps are equally capable and it's silly how many devices one has to have to get the best app for any given service.

Yes, I agree 100% and thanks for the reply. Now, do you have any suggestions or guidance?

 

[Trebdp83]

Haven't used too many different devices and some get you most but not all of what you want these days. I use my Apple TV 4K for most of my streaming and my TV does a bit. The Apple TV 4K gets you Atmos for Amazon Prime, Disney+, Netflix and Tidal. But, Tidal masters limited to 48khz/24bits.

 

[Tachead7075]

Haven't used too many different devices and some get you most but not all of what you want these days. I use my Apple TV 4K for most of my streaming and my TV does a bit. The Apple TV 4K gets you Atmos for Amazon Prime, Disney+, Netflix and Tidal. But, Tidal masters limited to 48khz/24bits.

Thank you, that was valuable information on the Apple option that I didn't know.

 

[bruin62]

To get Atmos on Netflix your right. I had to get the 2nd generation amazon cube my 4K stick didn’t work. 4K Apple TV works as well. But Blu-ray players that say they have the Netflix app will not support Atmos on Netflix. I have the cube and I still can’t get Atmos from amazon prime on Jack Ryan. Called their support they said they will call me back within 2 days it’s been over 2 weeks lol

 

[bruin62]

Haven't used too many different devices and some get you most but not all of what you want these days. I use my Apple TV 4K for most of my streaming and my TV does a bit. The Apple TV 4K gets you Atmos for Amazon Prime, Disney+, Netflix and Tidal. But, Tidal masters limited to 48khz/24bits.

What is Tidal I have never heard of them?

 

[Trebdp83]

Tidal is a music streaming service that streams lossless two-channel audio and also streams music remastered in Dolby Atmos, though it is DD+ based Atmos and not Dolby TrueHD at it's core.

 

[Tachead7075]

To get Atmos on Netflix your right. I had to get the 2nd generation amazon cube my 4K stick didn’t work. 4K Apple TV works as well. But Blu-ray players that say they have the Netflix app will not support Atmos on Netflix. I have the cube and I still can’t get Atmos from amazon prime on Jack Ryan. Called their support they said they will call me back within 2 days it’s been over 2 weeks lol

Thanks for the reply. This is very helpful as I am leaning towards the Cube for now.

That's weird that Jack Ryan doesn't work as Atmos on Prime should work on both the 4K and the Cube. It is only Netflix that doesn't work on the 4K(at least that is my understanding).

I would call them back.

 

[Tachead7075]

What is Tidal I have never heard of them?

Already answered below you post but, just so you know, Amazon has a Tidal App if you look in their app section under entertainment. It's not the greatest app but, allows MQA and Atmos playback on these Amazon devices. I just switched from Spotify to Tidal a while back due to Spotify ignoring its customers for years when it comes to lossless and Atmos/Auro 3D content.

 

[snakeeyes]

Already answered below you post but, just so you know, Amazon has a Tidal App if you look in their app section under entertainment. It's not the greatest app but, allows MQA and Atmos playback on these Amazon devices. I just switched from Spotify to Tidal a while back due to Spotify ignoring its customers for years when it comes to lossless and Atmos/Auro 3D content.

What kind of music selection do they have on tidal in Atmos? Seems like a rather new concept in recording. Atmos came out in 2014 right?

 

[Tachead7075]

What kind of music selection do they have on tidal in Atmos? Seems like a rather new concept in recording. Atmos came out in 2014 right?

There seams to be quite a selection but, I haven't added my heights yet so, I have yet to really dive into it. There should be a free trial for Tidal if you want to try it(I got in on a three month trial for $5 a while back).

No idea when Atmos came out but, there are three main 3D music formats if you include Sony's new attempt to further divide the market(which is super annoying as we already have 2):

Atmos(Dolby)
Auro 3D(Auro Technologies)
360 Reality Audio(Sony)

 

[lovinthehd]

So this Tidal Atmos is 2ch or multich or ? Just for video content or ?

 

[Trebdp83]

It’s multi channel music.

 

[Trebdp83]

Sony’s 360 Reality Audio is two channel and simulates surround sound with headphones.

 

[lovinthehd]

It’s multi channel music.

So there isn't a whole lot of that out there......or are they "making" it?

 

[Tachead7075]

So this Tidal Atmos is 2ch or multich or ? Just for video content or ?

Multichannel. No, I don't see any video content yet(haven't looked much as I don't have heights yet), it is all regular music and my AVR switches to DD+ when I play a track unlike regular or master tracks.

 

[Tachead7075]

Sony’s 360 Reality Audio is two channel and simulates surround sound with headphones.

To start with...

 

[lovinthehd]

Multichannel. No, I don't see any video content yet(haven't looked much as I don't have heights yet), it is all regular music and my AVR switches to DD+ when I play a track unlike regular or master tracks.

So are they matrixing it from 2ch sources? Or is it limited to new recordings?

 

[lovinthehd]

If they have actual multich mixes I'd have to consider them despite my dislike of Tidal.....but I have enough trouble sourcing multich in bluray/dvd/sacd formats.....