Bv11 Nvidia Shield Netflix - no 5.1 audio

59 replies
MA
Offline
Marcello
Bronze
Posted March 28, 2017 at 11:46 GMT
#2083063

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has managed to output 5.1 audio from the Netflix app on the Shield. 

O matter what I try I get stereo only. Netflix says that the output device must support Dolby Digita plus for surround sound to be enabled but somehow it does not work. At some point I doubted the 11 supported DD+ so I removed the speaker grille and check the service label to confirm and it does indeed support the standard. 

Any tips? The net is full of similar complaints but none are related to B&O. 

Thanks in advance,

Marcello

MI
Offline
mibook84
Bronze
Posted March 28, 2017 at 22:20 GMT
#2083064
Marcello wrote:

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has managed to output 5.1 audio from the Netflix app on the Shield.

O matter what I try I get stereo only. Netflix says that the output device must support Dolby Digita plus for surround sound to be enabled but somehow it does not work. At some point I doubted the 11 supported DD+ so I removed the speaker grille and check the service label to confirm and it does indeed support the standard.

Any tips? The net is full of similar complaints but none are related to B&O.

Thanks in advance,

Marcello

I also don't have surround on the shield. Super annoyed at it. Seems that the android app Netflix has developed ..sucks. It doesn't detect properly. After a few weeks it stops noticing 4K ability as stucks at Hd instead. Happened twice here and always stereo sound. On my Apple TV I get Netflix surround and on PlayStation 4 too I believe.
MI
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mibook84
Bronze
Posted March 29, 2017 at 14:24 GMT
#2083065

I have the same issue on my Avant 55" with Nvidia Shield TV. I get 4K netflix but only stereo sound. On Apple TV I get Surround but no 4K (since it doesnt support it). I haven't contacted netflix about it because the only way to get contact with them is by phone.

 

Also, after a few weeks 4K usually stops working on netflix @ Nvidia Shield TV - downgrading itself to HD graphics. I haven't found a good solution to that isolated issue yet except for resetting the box to factory defaults.

 

BO
Offline
boskonay
Bronze
Posted March 29, 2017 at 20:04 GMT
#2083066

Just to chime in that I've the same issue.

Shield on both Avant 85 and BeoVis 14, neither will play 5.1 (they will try, but the sound is choppy and echoey).

 

Apple TV on the same TV's will do 5.1 no issue

MA
Offline
Marcello
Bronze
Posted March 29, 2017 at 20:50 GMT
#2083067

I think the problems lies in the shield ability to only decode and output DD Plus and not DD (licensing issues I gathered from googling... we are not alone).I have done some further testing with Amazon Prime (If you want to give it a go and you're not a member I think there is a free trial). All Amazon Originals (like Goliath just to name one) are marked as 5.1 and I only get PCM 2.0

Plex on the other hand decodes DD and DD Plus and transforms into PCM 5.1, but there is apparently no way to get an untouched DD+ stream to the TV from the Shield (the kind where sound info displays "DOLBY DIGITAL PLUS" - only way to get that has been to use Plex's DLNA server)

So it's pretty clear that it's a Shield issue in my opinion, and not the individual app's developers. I think it has poor to nonexistent capabilities do detect the TV abilities to decode DD+ (and judging from all your contents even more important stuff like 4K). Since the Shield is on B&O's "Idea Catalogue" it would be good if they rang Nvidia and let them know... :D

And to get even more pissed off, here is my chat with Manson from Nvidia Customer Care.

Please note that "Concluded from end user" actually means "The customer hit so hard the END CHAT button like we used to smash a traditional phone to hang up in the good old days".

 

47:08 AM]Hi, my name is Mansoor. How may I help you?
[06:48:24 AM]Marcello : Hello Mansoor. I received today my Shield TV 16 GB. There is no way to output 5.1 sound to my TV. My TV is a Bang & Olufsen Beovision 11 and it supports and decodes Dolby Digital Plus. I tried both Netflix and Amazon Prime apps. I already spoke to Netflix and they say the problem is on the shield...
[06:48:31 AM]Mansoor: Hello Marcello,
[06:53:34 AM]Mansoor: I am sorry to know that
[06:53:43 AM]Mansoor: Since when are you facing this issue?
[06:54:28 AM]Marcello : Today. I received it today.
[06:56:40 AM]Mansoor: Have you installed the latest updates for the device?
[06:57:45 AM]Marcello : Yes it installed automatically when I powered it up for the first time. The Netflix app does not show a Dolby Digital track available. And both Netflix and Amazon Prime output only stereo sound, not 5.1.
[06:59:01 AM]Mansoor: What is TV model number you are using?
[06:59:26 AM]Marcello : Brand is Bang & Olufsen, model is Beovision 11
[06:59:42 AM]Marcello : It supports Dolby Digital Plus.
[07:00:31 AM]Mansoor: Have you connected the SHIELD Android TV to the TV directly using the USB cable?
[07:01:18 AM]Marcello : You mean the HDMI cable. Yes
[07:01:27 AM]Mansoor: Yes
[07:01:38 AM]Marcello : Yes I did
[07:02:25 AM]Mansoor: Are you using HDMI 2.0 cable version?
[07:03:40 AM]Marcello : No, I'm not using 4K. My TV is Full HD 1080p, not 4K. HDMI 2.0 is not required for Surround sound.
[07:06:06 AM]Mansoor: Have many HDMI ports do you have the TV?
[07:06:16 AM]Marcello : 5
[07:06:39 AM]Marcello : they are all the same
[07:07:14 AM]Mansoor: Do you have another HDMI cable with you?
[07:09:01 AM]Marcello : I tried 2 cables already. the cable works. It's your device which does not detect that my tv is compatible. Apparently I am not the only one many people have the same problems
[07:10:20 AM]Mansoor: Have you tried Youtube app?
[07:11:50 AM]Marcello : I'm not interested in youtube, I'm interested in Netflix which is the reason why i bought your product sorry.
[07:12:06 AM]Marcello : Obviously you cannot help me.
[07:12:08 AM]'Marcello ' disconnected ('Concluded by End-user').

 

 

MI
Offline
mibook84
Bronze
Posted March 30, 2017 at 09:09 GMT
#2083068
Marcello wrote:

I think the problems lies in the shield ability to only decode and output DD Plus and not DD (licensing issues I gathered from googling... we are not alone).I have done some further testing with Amazon Prime (If you want to give it a go and you're not a member I think there is a free trial). All Amazon Originals (like Goliath just to name one) are marked as 5.1 and I only get PCM 2.0

Plex on the other hand decodes DD and DD Plus and transforms into PCM 5.1, but there is apparently no way to get an untouched DD+ stream to the TV from the Shield (the kind where sound info displays "DOLBY DIGITAL PLUS" - only way to get that has been to use Plex's DLNA server)

So it's pretty clear that it's a Shield issue in my opinion, and not the individual app's developers. I think it has poor to nonexistent capabilities do detect the TV abilities to decode DD+ (and judging from all your contents even more important stuff like 4K). Since the Shield is on B&O's "Idea Catalogue" it would be good if they rang Nvidia and let them know... :D

And to get even more pissed off, here is my chat with Manson from Nvidia Customer Care.

Please note that "Concluded from end user" actually means "The customer hit so hard the END CHAT button like we used to smash a traditional phone to hang up in the good old days".

47:08 AM]Hi, my name is Mansoor. How may I help you? [06:48:24 AM]Marcello : Hello Mansoor. I received today my Shield TV 16 GB. There is no way to output 5.1 sound to my TV. My TV is a Bang & Olufsen Beovision 11 and it supports and decodes Dolby Digital Plus. I tried both Netflix and Amazon Prime apps. I already spoke to Netflix and they say the problem is on the shield... [06:48:31 AM]Mansoor: Hello Marcello, [06:53:34 AM]Mansoor: I am sorry to know that [06:53:43 AM]Mansoor: Since when are you facing this issue? [06:54:28 AM]Marcello : Today. I received it today. [06:56:40 AM]Mansoor: Have you installed the latest updates for the device? [06:57:45 AM]Marcello : Yes it installed automatically when I powered it up for the first time. The Netflix app does not show a Dolby Digital track available. And both Netflix and Amazon Prime output only stereo sound, not 5.1. [06:59:01 AM]Mansoor: What is TV model number you are using? [06:59:26 AM]Marcello : Brand is Bang & Olufsen, model is Beovision 11 [06:59:42 AM]Marcello : It supports Dolby Digital Plus. [07:00:31 AM]Mansoor: Have you connected the SHIELD Android TV to the TV directly using the USB cable? [07:01:18 AM]Marcello : You mean the HDMI cable. Yes [07:01:27 AM]Mansoor: Yes [07:01:38 AM]Marcello : Yes I did [07:02:25 AM]Mansoor: Are you using HDMI 2.0 cable version? [07:03:40 AM]Marcello : No, I'm not using 4K. My TV is Full HD 1080p, not 4K. HDMI 2.0 is not required for Surround sound. [07:06:06 AM]Mansoor: Have many HDMI ports do you have the TV? [07:06:16 AM]Marcello : 5 [07:06:39 AM]Marcello : they are all the same [07:07:14 AM]Mansoor: Do you have another HDMI cable with you? [07:09:01 AM]Marcello : I tried 2 cables already. the cable works. It's your device which does not detect that my tv is compatible. Apparently I am not the only one many people have the same problems [07:10:20 AM]Mansoor: Have you tried Youtube app? [07:11:50 AM]Marcello : I'm not interested in youtube, I'm interested in Netflix which is the reason why i bought your product sorry. [07:12:06 AM]Marcello : Obviously you cannot help me. [07:12:08 AM]'Marcello ' disconnected ('Concluded by End-user').

I know 5.1 Netflix on Nvidia shield TV works for many other people. It might be a problem in how the shield or Netflix detects what is possible and not. We know the B&O tv supports the Dolby necessary, and HDCP 2.2 and HDMI 2.0 (in my case). And still fails. The software seems two years old too, Netflix on the shield..
MA
Offline
Marcello
Bronze
Posted April 4, 2017 at 08:13 GMT
#2083069

Michael wrote:

I know 5.1 Netflix on Nvidia shield TV works for many other people. It might be a problem in how the shield or Netflix detects what is possible and not. We know the B&O tv supports the Dolby necessary, and HDCP 2.2 and HDMI 2.0 (in my case). And still fails. The software seems two years old too, Netflix on the shield..

I'm starting to believe that the BV11 does not support DD+ from HDMI, but only from USB or DLNA. I exported the BV11 EDID using a Mac and it only returns support for LPCM, DD (AC3), and DTS but no DD+ (EAC3). Here's an extract :

Data Block Collection #3 - Type 1

Audio Type Block
Supported format: Linear Pulse Code Modulation (LPCM), on 8 channels
Supported freq: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz
Supported sample sizes: 16 bit, 20 bit, 24 bit

Supported format: AC3, on 6 channels
Supported freq: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz
Maximum bitrate: 640kHz

Supported format: DTS, on 6 channels
Supported freq: 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz
Maximum bitrate: -512kHz

So, if the above is reliable (and I honestly can't see why i shouldn't), the Shield is not at fault, but B&O is guilty of providing misleading information in the BV11 specs sheet, where Dolby Digital Plus is clearly mentioned (without discriminating between internal and external sources).
As for you guys with the Avant, I would not know, but I have the feeling it should work.
I sent a request to Beocare with the specific question "Is DD+ (EAC3) supported from HDMI sources?" but they are taking their time in getting back to me...
MI
Offline
mibook84
Bronze
Posted April 4, 2017 at 12:15 GMT
#2083070
Nice dig Marcello. I've reached out to Nvidia and we are investigating too. I bought a PS4 pro which does give my surround sound. I guess by DD+. Maybe the EDID data from the beovision is misleading/false but since the PS4 allows the output and also Apple TV I'm not so sure. They must be using the same codec (right?). Netflix doesn't really let you see much info. Maybe they just decode internally and send as PCM (I haven't checked yet/don't remember). If so, maybe that's the flaw with the Nvidia shield..

So many things that can be wrong :)
MA
Offline
Marcello
Bronze
Posted April 5, 2017 at 10:21 GMT
#2083071

Michael wrote:
Nice dig Marcello. I've reached out to Nvidia and we are investigating too. I bought a PS4 pro which does give my surround sound. I guess by DD+. Maybe the EDID data from the beovision is misleading/false but since the PS4 allows the output and also Apple TV I'm not so sure. They must be using the same codec (right?). Netflix doesn't really let you see much info. Maybe they just decode internally and send as PCM (I haven't checked yet/don't remember). If so, maybe that's the flaw with the Nvidia shield..

So many things that can be wrong :)

Are you sure it's DD+ and not DD? I have a PS4 too and I have never seen any options to have higher quality than vanilla DD/DTS. 

The best way to check is to play something, access SETUP--> SOUND ---> SOUND INFO on the BV and you should either get "DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1" or "DOLBY DIGITAL PLUS".

As for the Shield, it's now pretty clear that it behaves this way:

If the HDMI sink supports DD PLUS, it will let you select the "English 5.1" track in Netflix (that's what Netflix told me - obviously I have never seen it since the TV is considered not compatible)

If it does not, the Netflix app picks the Stereo track. There is no decoding made on the shield because they did not license the rights from Dolby. It simply passes through audio (and Netflix software doesn't do any audio conversion, it's either DD+ or Stereo).

On the other hand, Plex on the Shield takes a DD+ tracks and converts it on the fly to PCM 5.1, which is ok.

MI
Offline
mibook84
Bronze
Posted April 6, 2017 at 11:47 GMT
#2083072
Marcello wrote:

Are you sure it's DD+ and not DD? I have a PS4 too and I have never seen any options to have higher quality than vanilla DD/DTS.

The best way to check is to play something, access SETUP--> SOUND ---> SOUND INFO on the BV and you should either get "DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1" or "DOLBY DIGITAL PLUS".

As for the Shield, it's now pretty clear that it behaves this way:

If the HDMI sink supports DD PLUS, it will let you select the "English 5.1" track in Netflix (that's what Netflix told me - obviously I have never seen it since the TV is considered not compatible)

If it does not, the Netflix app picks the Stereo track. There is no decoding made on the shield because they did not license the rights from Dolby. It simply passes through audio (and Netflix software doesn't do any audio conversion, it's either DD+ or Stereo).

On the other hand, Plex on the Shield takes a DD+ tracks and converts it on the fly to PCM 5.1, which is ok.

I'll check today if I can. I have been emailing back and forth with Nvidia and I've been looking into the tech specs for the beosystem 4 and Avant 55 2014. Both is said to feature Dolby digital plus capabilities (even my v1-40 is!). So it should technically work. The issue I can imagine is either if B&O stopped paying royalties and removed it by firmware or that the firmware is flawed either in the B&O system software or Nvidia Shiels TV. Since I get surround sound from Netflix on both PS4 pro and Apple TV 4(and 3) and just not from Nvidia shield Tv I want to start looking at the issue from there.

Marcello, did you reach out to B&O about the codec for DD+ and EDID confusion?
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