Does Your Device Need HDMI 2.1? Dolby Atmos Denied | You Asked Ep. 9

In this episode of You Asked: Why your 4K Blu-ray player doesn't need HDMI 2.1, Dolby Atmos soundbars under $500, why you aren't getting Dolby Atmos from some streaming services, and what's a good Sony Z9D upgrade?

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VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:41 Trouble with Dolby Atmos?
05:10 Worth It to Upgrade?
07:04 Best Soundbar / Subwoofer Under $500?
08:20 Don't Sweat the Lack of HDMI 2.1 Ports

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#hometheater #questionanswer #tvs #tech #digitaltrends #technology #youasked #dolbyatmos #atmos #soundbar #bluray #sony

[doc.q]

The fact that the flagship Sony QD-Oled doesn’t have 4 full HDMI 2.1 ports is the main reason i went with an LG G3. Just like me, many people buying high end TVs need them for a PS5+SeriesX+PC+eArc soundbars. Massive deal breaker.

[genehager]

great content especially the discussion of Dolby 2.1 and the fact that blu-ray players do not need 2.1. I have a Sony A95K TV and had similar concerns about my 2.1 ports already being in use and thus not being available for my new Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K 4k blu-ray player

[LeezahB]

Fun skit! I always enjoy the questions and answers in this series. Great job. 🥰

[YuanLiuTheDoc]

The Disney+ Dolby Atmos problem needs an update if it happens in the past few months: Disney+ has joined other streaming services to strip Dolby Atmos (and Dolby Vision) from ad-supported tier. (Tim did not say which tier he was in.)

[feelgeorge]

When are we getting the dolby vision vs HDR 10 video?

[carlkitchen]

Can't speak to soundbars specifically but there are numerous receivers that have multiple HDMI 2.1 inputs. They have various price tags, compatibilities/features, and port quantities for each of course. And probably generally higher cost than a sound bar when you factor in speakers to go with it it. Though a decent setup can be had for cheaper than you might think. Especially if you're willing to get the speakers second hand. Just space is the only concern that doesn't have an easy answer for many who would consider a soundbar in the first place.

[arcum]

These Q&A are great! Keep ‘em coming

[zombielandiii]

Hey Caleb, the explanation was great! . It doubles up as an explanation and a creepy video for Halloween.
Now the videos show that you indeed have extra time, because you're no longer been disrupted by ambulance 🚨. Jokes aside, love your work and your sense of humor.

[madpistol]

I do agree it is a mess. My "old" Samsung Q90R TV did not support eARC until a little over a year ago, and, to this day, does not support Dolby Atmos on Disney+. The only way to get Atmos on Disney+ through this TV is to use an external streaming device. I recently got an Apple TV 4K (2022), and it literally fixed... everything. Picture is better, sound is better, streaming is so much more responsive.

Long story short, get a very high quality external streaming device (cough Apple TV 4K cough). It fixes everything. Also, I recently got a Samsung HW-Q990C surround sound system, and... OH MY GOD! It's incredible.

[Snoogins]

10:25 The sony a7000 soundbar has two HDMI 2.1 ports, so you actually gain an input when using it with a Sony tv. 👍

[InterCity]

That’s great in theory but I’m suspecting that’s not how the handshaking actually works in all cases. I say that because my XBox One X, when it handshakes direct with my new Bravia 9 tv, doesn’t think the TV can do 4K. So it won’t show that option. The tv is definitely a new 2024 4K set. The receiver plugged into the Tv however, does recognize it as doing 4k. And when I plug the X Box into the receiver, so it talks to the TV via the receiver, then the XBox One X says 4K is available.

This tells me the capabilities exchange between the tv and Xbox and tv and receiver are resulting in different results. IE something is off in the “papers” exchanged in capabilities or how they are I interpreted.

It gets clearer each time I need to hook something up that this 2024 HDMI 4K world has made things worse in terms of general predicable performance and capabilities, vs the 2006 era when we still have component and composite and early HDMI. To actually get the full capability working on a multi component system requires such digging and trying and researching and deep knowledge it’s no wonder the average person is unimpressed because as far as whey can tell what Atmos is is actually matrix decided LPCM in many cases.

[Ben_Jammin]

Well that’s interesting. My soundbar doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, but apps like Disney+ will show the Dolby Atmos symbol. My Apple TV will also allow Atmos in the settings.

[SergejGrabun]

Useful as always. Keep those question as is. From various areas of 'everything TV', from simple to not so simple questions

[michaelwyckoff]

HDMI ports are the least of my worries😊

[PhilDoesFunStuff]

A quick fire bonus round of questions at the end would be great in these videos eg "Digital Trends pick of TV under £500 or under £1000", no explanation, just fast answers. Also very curious to what TV you have Caleb?

[dtrejo]

I know a lot of this stuff. But it’s good to educate then uninitiated. Thank you.

[wxman]

Samsung Q990C can be had for $700 if you are a Triple A member. It's a no brainer. One of the best soundbars out there, and 50% off the retail price via Triple A.

[John-ooxu]

😅 i liked the little side show. Subscribed bro. Good content

[UltimateGattai]

I wish Disney+ would just get their crap together and fix the app audio, it often breaks, then they fix it, then it breaks again. They broke it earlier this year and still haven't fixed it, meanwhile Netflix, Prime and Stan can output surround and Atmos just fine.

[JingoLoBa]

Spatial Audio
Dolby Atmos
Apple Music
LG TV
Nothing to play these on, despite 5.1 connection to Marantz 1509