Roku Ultra 5.1 audio issues.

[DFQForce4]

I have a Sony STR-DH550 with which has HDMI 1.4. I have a 5.1 set up using the Sony Core series L and R towers,center channel and the bookshelves for the surrounds,and the Sony VA-S315 75 watt active subwoofer. The display is a Samsung KS9800,but it will soon be swapped for a Samsung S95C. Ok here is the issue I am running into the TV(s) are at least HDMI 2.0 the reciever is HDMI 1.4,so 4K HDR 10-bit color devices have to be hooked into the tv directly. Because of this I am using HDMI ARC for audio. The Roku Ultra (2019) model is plugged into the tv directly and the audio is through HDMI ARC. The Roku says it says DD plus and DTS are available,yet when I go to play 5.1 content from a streaming service it keeps outputting as LPCM 2.0 and not DD Plus or DTS 5.1. Yes any night mode and audio leveling on the Roku are turned off. My PS5 and Series X are hooked up with the same proccess and I am not having audio issues with those. Is any one else have a similar issue any help would be nice.

 

[lovinthehd]

What streaming services are you using and are you paying for the appropriate codec/video combo? What are your options in the Roku tv for audio output? Not all tvs output the multich codecs either (my old Samsungs don't unless it's OTA content).

 

[DFQForce4]

Paramount Plus,and Prime Video highest tiers. Yes the TV supports DD and DTS 5.1 through ARC. I have read other forums and tried the solutions and they have not worked. Also my PS5 is hooked the same way and 5.1 audio plays just fine from 5.1 sources. The audio options are stereo and auto. Under auto it says DD and DTS are auto detected. I have read I could try putting it on "auto passthrough" but this model of Roku doesn't have that option.

 

[lovinthehd]

Paramount Plus,and Prime Video highest tiers. Yes the TV supports DD and DTS 5.1 through ARC. I have read other forums and tried the solutions and they have not worked. Also my PS5 is hooked the same way and 5.1 audio plays just fine from 5.1 sources. The audio options are stereo and auto. Under auto it says DD and DTS are auto detected. I have read I could try putting it on "auto passthrough" but this model of Roku doesn't have that option.

I prefer my streamers not in the tv myself due to limitations of app/tv possible. If the tv does support it via ARC not sure why you can't use it, tho.

 

[DFQForce4]

I prefer my streamers not in the tv myself due to limitations of app/tv possible. If the tv does support it via ARC not sure why you can't use it, tho.

Same normally I would just hook it to the AVR HDMI inputs directly but if I do that then I am limites to 1080p SDR instead of 4k HDR.

 

[lovinthehd]

Same normally I would just hook it to the AVR HDMI inputs directly but if I do that then I am limites to 1080p SDR instead of 4k HDR.

You sure that isn't the root of your problem?

 

[DFQForce4]

You sure that isn't the root of your problem?

I'm sure if that was the root of the problem the PS5 would be having the same issue,but it isn't.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'm sure if that was the root of the problem the PS5 would be having the same issue,but it isn't.

They don't particularly share the same protocols....

 

[Hobbit]

It's hard for us to know what you have already tried. I would try and break down where the issue is occurring.

Run the Roku through your sony AVR; roku to AVR and AVR to TV both via HDMI. You should still have a 4k picture. Is the sound what you expect, DD?

 

[DFQForce4]

That

It's hard for us to know what you have already tried. I would try and break down where the issue is occurring.

Run the Roku through your sony AVR; roku to AVR and AVR to TV both via HDMI. You should still have a 4k picture. Is the sound what you expect, DD?

That's what I am currently doing I think. The Roku HDMI is going into one of the tv's HDMI inputs,I have the AVR's HDMI out plugged into the tv's HDMI ARC input.

 

[Hobbit]

That

That's what I am currently doing I think. The Roku HDMI is going into one of the tv's HDMI inputs,I have the AVR's HDMI out plugged into the tv's HDMI ARC input.

That's not what I'm saying. Plug the roku HDMI directly into your AVR (the media-in HDMI) and see if you get DD+ out of the AVR. This is just for troubleshooting. Do you get DD+ in this configuration?

There's a lot of handshaking (protocols) going on. I'm suspecting the roku isn't getting the right handshake from the AVR (through the TVs ARC) in the configuration you're using. It thinks it's plugged into a TV which is outputting the sound and only sending it stereo. If the roku (or any device) doesn't get the proper handshake it assumes the source is two channels.

Another couple of things to try:

1. If the PS5 working correctly. Try unplugging it from the TV, and plugging the roku into that exact HDMI. Sometimes on TV's only specific HDMIs support specific features. Perhaps the one you're using doesn't support a bitstream passthrough (DD+) to the AVR via the ARC.

2. Check that your roku is set to "passthrough." This is somewhere in the Audio settings on the roku.

3. Check that CEC is enabled on both the roku and the TV. On the roku it's called something like control other devices. Not sure what your TV calls it. This is less likely.

 

[DFQForce4]

That's not what I'm saying. Plug the roku HDMI directly into your AVR (the media-in HDMI) and see if you get DD+ out of the AVR. This is just for troubleshooting. Do you get DD+ in this configuration?

There's a lot of handshaking (protocols) going on. I'm suspecting the roku isn't getting the right handshake from the AVR (through the TVs ARC) in the configuration you're using. It thinks it's plugged into a TV which is outputting the sound and only sending it stereo. If the roku (or any device) doesn't get the proper handshake it assumes the source is two channels.

Another couple of things to try:

1. If the PS5 working correctly. Try unplugging it from the TV, and plugging the roku into that exact HDMI. Sometimes on TV's only specific HDMIs support specific features. Perhaps the one you're using doesn't support a bitstream passthrough (DD+) to the AVR via the ARC.

2. Check that your roku is set to "passthrough." This is somewhere in the Audio settings on the roku.

3. Check that CEC is enabled on both the roku and the TV. On the roku it's called something like control other devices. Not sure what your TV calls it. This is less likely.

Yes I do get DDPlus and DTS if it is connected to the reciever directly that's how I had it before but I wanted 4K HDR playback instead of 1080p SDR. CEC etc is all turned on. This model of Roku Ultra does not have a passthrough option for audio which I think is the problem,and if I try forcing the audio via the Roku's custom setting there is no audio at all. The PS5 has a more audio settings which is why I think it's able to work fine. The audio formats on the TV itself are PCM,DTS,Dolby,and DTS Neo:6. The DTS and Dolby options are grayed out,so I thought perhaps something using Dolby has to be playing first so I turned on content,and it was all still grayed out.

 

[Hobbit]

Yes I do get DDPlus and DTS if it is connected to the reciever directly that's how I had it before but I wanted 4K HDR playback instead of 1080p SDR. CEC etc is all turned on. This model of Roku Ultra does not have a passthrough option for audio which I think is the problem,and if I try forcing the audio via the Roku's custom setting there is no audio at all. The PS5 has a more audio settings which is why I think it's able to work fine. The audio formats on the TV itself are PCM,DTS,Dolby,and DTS Neo:6. The DTS and Dolby options are grayed out,so I thought perhaps something using Dolby has to be playing first so I turned on content,and it was all still grayed out.

Auto should work fine. Sounds like you went into "custom" and forced DD? If the TV/roku didn't do the proper handshake (protocol) you'll get no sound. The TV and the roku need to be talking to each other. This doesn't sound like it's happening.

When you turned on CEC (one touch) did the roku give you a pop up showing you your tv model and ask you questions to allow the roku remote to control the TV on/off and volume? If not, the roku/TV are not recognizing each other.

Did you try and unplug the PS5 HDMI into the tv and put the roku to that input? On my TV for example, only two inputs support Dolby Vision. One last try would be take the HDMI cable you're using for the PS5 connection to the TV and try using it for the roku to tv HDMI connection.

It sounds like the roku/TV handshake is just not happening. Until this happens, the only sound you'll get out of the roku is analog (stereo). You said it works correctly when plugged into the AVR. In this case the AVR/roku handshake must have worked. To be sure, you're not confusing DD with Dolby Logic? The AVR will convert a stereo signal to Dolby Logic.

 

[TLS Guy]

Auto should work fine. Sounds like you went into "custom" and forced DD? If the TV/roku didn't do the proper handshake (protocol) you'll get no sound. The TV and the roku need to be talking to each other. This doesn't sound like it's happening.

When you turned on CEC (one touch) did the roku give you a pop up showing you your tv model and ask you questions to allow the roku remote to control the TV on/off and volume? If not, the roku/TV are not recognizing each other.

Did you try and unplug the PS5 HDMI into the tv and put the roku to that input? On my TV for example, only two inputs support Dolby Vision. One last try would be take the HDMI cable you're using for the PS5 connection to the TV and try using it for the roku to tv HDMI connection.

It sounds like the roku/TV handshake is just not happening. Until this happens, the only sound you'll get out of the roku is analog (stereo). You said it works correctly when plugged into the AVR. In this case the AVR/roku handshake must have worked. To be sure, you're not confusing DD with Dolby Logic? The AVR will convert a stereo signal to Dolby Logic.

I think you have identified the problem. DD Plus does not have to be multichannel. DD plus is just the compression algorithm, in this case E-AC3. I would bet his Roku is sending 2.0. The other possibility may be ARC. eARC is much more certain. His receiver only supports ARC and I bet that is at the bottom of his difficulty.

He really needs a receiver and TV that supports eARC and current codecs. His receiver is 10 years old and things have moved on.

 

[Hobbit]

I think you have identified the problem. DD Plus does not have to be multichannel. DD plus is just the compression algorithm, in this case E-AC3. I would bet his Roku is sending 2.0. The other possibility may be ARC. eARC is much more certain. His receiver only supports ARC and I bet that is at the bottom of his difficulty.

He really needs a receiver and TV that supports eARC and current codecs. His receiver is 10 years old and things have moved on.

IMO, a new AVR which passes through 4k HDR (and it's variants) which he could run everything through and use the TV just as a monitor.

 

[DFQForce4]

Auto should work fine. Sounds like you went into "custom" and forced DD? If the TV/roku didn't do the proper handshake (protocol) you'll get no sound. The TV and the roku need to be talking to each other. This doesn't sound like it's happening.

When you turned on CEC (one touch) did the roku give you a pop up showing you your tv model and ask you questions to allow the roku remote to control the TV on/off and volume? If not, the roku/TV are not recognizing each other.

Did you try and unplug the PS5 HDMI into the tv and put the roku to that input? On my TV for example, only two inputs support Dolby Vision. One last try would be take the HDMI cable you're using for the PS5 connection to the TV and try using it for the roku to tv HDMI connection.

It sounds like the roku/TV handshake is just not happening. Until this happens, the only sound you'll get out of the roku is analog (stereo). You said it works correctly when plugged into the AVR. In this case the AVR/roku handshake must have worked. To be sure, you're not confusing DD with Dolby Logic? The AVR will convert a stereo signal to Dolby Logic.

I will try the different HDMI input,I do know that on this tv all HDMI inputs are 2.0 full bandwith. No I am not getting Dolby Digital and Pro Logic confused. When the Roku HDMI was going into one of the AVR's HDMI inputs,while playing 5.1 content on a streaming service the readout on the AVR would scroll and say Dolby Digital+ 3/2/1 which translates to LCR,LS,RS,and SW. Plus I could hear the surround effects amd LFE. With how I have it now it says LPCM 2.0 etc,and when I press the button that puts the AVR in 5.1 mode so to speak it the DDPL logo illuminates because for somw reason the AVR is recieving a stereo source and upconverting it to Pro Logic.

 

[TLS Guy]

I will try the different HDMI input,I do know that on this tv all HDMI inputs are 2.0 full bandwith. No I am not getting Dolby Digital and Pro Logic confused. When the Roku HDMI was going into one of the AVR's HDMI inputs,while playing 5.1 content on a streaming service the readout on the AVR would scroll and say Dolby Digital+ 3/2/1 which translates to LCR,LS,RS,and SW. Plus I could hear the surround effects amd LFE. With how I have it now it says LPCM 2.0 etc,and when I press the button that puts the AVR in 5.1 mode so to speak it the DDPL logo illuminates because for somw reason the AVR is recieving a stereo source and upconverting it to Pro Logic.

Your system is overdue for an update.

 

[DFQForce4]

Your system is overdue for an update.

That's what I thought,was just hoping there was a solution,since I won't be able to upgrade any time soon.

 

[lovinthehd]

Some get around these incompatibilities by using a separate feed for audio and video from a bluray player, not sure if (m)any streamers offer that.

 

[Hobbit]

Yes I do get DDPlus and DTS if it is connected to the reciever directly that's how I had it before but I wanted 4K HDR playback instead of 1080p SDR. CEC etc is all turned on. This model of Roku Ultra does not have a passthrough option for audio which I think is the problem,and if I try forcing the audio via the Roku's custom setting there is no audio at all. The PS5 has a more audio settings which is why I think it's able to work fine. The audio formats on the TV itself are PCM,DTS,Dolby,and DTS Neo:6. The DTS and Dolby options are grayed out,so I thought perhaps something using Dolby has to be playing first so I turned on content,and it was all still grayed out.

Along the lines of what @lovinthehd said, something like this may work. They're relatively inexpensive. Run the roku into it. then 1 HDMI to the tv and 1 to the AVR.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=21612&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PMax+%7C+Marrier+%7C+HIGH&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&hsa_acc=6614305189&hsa_cam=20623063632&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwurS3BhCGARIsADdUH50kQKNXvtqeijXKpZ8G-G7Xsr5tKioNOJmmXzlRHSwMQ15U_hkJcGIaAjYREALw_wcB

Though a new AVR would be best in the long run.