Dolby Atmos query on Xbox Series X

Phonesis

Phonesis

Phonesis

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So I have the following setup:

Xbox Series X
Onkyo TX L50 receiver
5.1 surround speakers

I recently enabled the Xbox to output Dolby Atmos. This appears to work fine in games like Halo Infinite. The receiver acknowledges it is Atmos and I see it specified in the output source info.

I tried firing up Saving Private Ryan tonight on the ultra HD blu-ray. It boasts a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.

Whatever I tried the film/disc/player would not play the film in Atmos but instead reverted to Dolby True HD.

I cannot figure out why?

This could well be an Xbox issue but got me wondering if it's because the disc somehow has detected I only have 5.1 speakers and not 7.1?

Does seem odd to me.
 
The TX-L50 does do ATMOS, but in 3.1.2 configuration with a 5.1 cinema speaker package. It substitutes the (side) surrounds for the ATMOS height speakers.
 
Phonesis said:
So I have the following setup:

Xbox Series X
Onkyo TX L50 receiver
5.1 surround speakers

I recently enabled the Xbox to output Dolby Atmos. This appears to work fine in games like Halo Infinite. The receiver acknowledges it is Atmos and I see it specified in the output source info.

I tried firing up Saving Private Ryan tonight on the ultra HD blu-ray. It boasts a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.

Whatever I tried the film/disc/player would not play the film in Atmos but instead reverted to Dolby True HD.

I cannot figure out why?

This could well be an Xbox issue but got me wondering if it's because the disc somehow has detected I only have 5.1 speakers and not 7.1?

Does seem odd to me.
Click to expand...

Two questions:

1) Did the amp get the firmware update mentioned in the user manual which enabled ATMOS processing?

2) When you first set the amp, did you select "3.1.2" as the speaker layout in the Speaker Channels menu, and then Top Middle as the option for Height Speaker ?

The details of the various firmware updates are given here (hyperlink) and the page includes a "How to" guide on checking the current firmware release of your TX-L50 as well as the downloadable file. The release that added ATMOS support came out in August 2017. You'll need a USB pen drive in order to host the file and do the update on the receiver.

Where the firmware is as up-to-date as it needs for ATMOS support then the most likely cause for failure is incorrect speaker settings. Make sure you've selected 3.1.2 and Top Middle. You may need to run the AccuEQ Room Calibration wizard again so you'll need to dig out the set-up mic.
 
I know you say you've tried everything but it's not something daft like needing to select a different audio track in the film's menus is it? :p
 
lucid said:
Two questions:

1) Did the amp get the firmware update mentioned in the user manual which enabled ATMOS processing?

2) When you first set the amp, did you select "3.1.2" as the speaker layout in the Speaker Channels menu, and then Top Middle as the option for Height Speaker ?

The details of the various firmware updates are given here (hyperlink) and the page includes a "How to" guide on checking the current firmware release of your TX-L50 as well as the downloadable file. The release that added ATMOS support came out in August 2017. You'll need a USB pen drive in order to host the file and do the update on the receiver.

Where the firmware is as up-to-date as it needs for ATMOS support then the most likely cause for failure is incorrect speaker settings. Make sure you've selected 3.1.2 and Top Middle. You may need to run the AccuEQ Room Calibration wizard again so you'll need to dig out the set-up mic.
Click to expand...

Thanks all for replies

1) Firmware fully up to date (it updates via wifi and i check weekly for any new updates)
2) This is a good point and no not checked, I will do this later - is top middle a good setting to use regardless of atmos? I have a standard 5.1 speaker arrangement

Atmos app is installed on Xbox (Halo Infinite works fine in Atmos) and I have enabled it in Saving Private Ryan

In reality, true HD is going to be amazing for this film I know but would be epic to get atmos set. Wondering how the blu-ray detects it, perhaps down to speaker config (3.1.2 and top middle)
 
Top middle is the default setting after you've chosen 3.1.2 I think the other option is for upfiring speakers mounted on the front L & R speakers. All this is covered in the manual. Have a read.
 
Right so got it working by setting config to 3.1.2 and top middle option set by default. When I play the blu ray it out reports the input as "Dolby Atmos / True HD" and output as "Dolby Atmos" 3.1.2 which I guess is right?

My next question is which is actually best for my setup? 5.1 or 3.1.2?

I am leaning toward sticking to 5.1 as ultimately that is my speaker setup?
 
It depends on the speaker layout.

The front three and sub are going to be pretty much the same in all scenarios, so it comes down to where the surrounds are in your system compared to the pictures in the manual for 5.1 and for 3.1.2

5.1 should have the surrounds at a little above ear level height, and somewhere between in-line with (flanking) the listening position or set a little way behind. [These are the speakers that commonly get mislabelled as "rears" and then folk end up putting them directly behind the listening position, but that's not right. The 5.1 audio isn't mixed with "speakers directly behind the listener" positioning. It's mixed with them side on.]

For ATMOS to work best then the speakers should be above the listener. Look in the manual. It shows this very clearly. The second option is speaker that bounce sound off the ceiling to create the impression of virtual speakers directly above the listener. If your surround speakers aren't directly above, or aren't the "bounce-the-sound" type upfirers, then the ATMOS audio effects are going to be coming from the wrong place.

Back to you then, where are your surround speakers??? Which layout in the manual best matches your speaker positions? That's the one that will give you the best effect.
 
Thanks lucid,

My speaker setup is a close match to the 5.1 setup you describe with my rears behind my sofa but not completely behind / more just off the side to the rear of the edges of it.

I think it makes sense to stick to 5.1 but I am glad to know my setup does at least support atmos given the right config tweaks in the receiver.

is there any vid on youtube or somewhere I can use to test the atmos sound? I suppose Halo Infinite is a good way though as I can experiment throwing grenades and hearing the directional sounds etc.
 
AFAIK, YT doesn't support much beyond compressed stereo unless you're talking about the YT TV streaming service. No ATMOS then on user-uploaded videos.

I stream ATMOS content from Prime and Disney Plus. I also have a UHD disc player, so that's how I cover content provision.
 
Phonesis said:
ucid,

My speaker setup is a close match to the 5.1 setup you describe with my rears behind my sofa but not completely behind / more just off the side to the rear of the edges of it.

I think it makes sense to stick to 5.1 but I am glad to know my setup does at least support atmos given the right config tweaks in the receiver.

is there any vid on youtube or somewhere I can use to test the atmos sound? I suppose Halo Infinite is a good way though as I can experiment throwing grenades and hearing the directional sounds etc.
Click to expand...

You're not getting Atmos .
 
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