Audio Options & Capabilities

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Overview

Infuse supports up to 7.1 channels of 24-bit 48KHz audio in a wide variety of audio codec formats.

Dolby Atmos

Infuse supports Dolby Atmos when using E-AC3 audio tracks. To take full advantage of this, an Apple TV connected to a Dolby Atmos capable device (such as an AV receiver, soundbar, or other audio device) is recommended. Spatial audio is also supported (see below).

Spatial Audio

Spatial audio is supported for all audio formats on all compatible devices. Files with Dolby Atmos (E-AC3) audio tracks will play natively in Dolby Atmos spatial audio mode, and can take full advantage of all Dolby Atmos effects. All other audio types will be played in Multichannel spatial audio mode.

Audio Output Settings (tvOS)

Audio settings on the Apple TV can be adjusted through Apple TV > Settings > Video and Audio > Audio Format.

  • Auto (recommended): Audio will be sent as uncompressed, multi-channel LPCM (up to 7.1 channels and 24-bit)
  • Dolby Digital 5.1: Audio will be sent as Dolby Digital AC3 (5.1 channels and 16-bit)
  • Stereo: Audio will be sent as stereo (2.0 channels)

An optical (TOSLINK) cable will be limited to 5.1 channels of compressed (Dolby Digital) audio or 2.0 channels of uncompressed (LPCM) audio. If this is used in your environment, it is recommended to set the Audio Format option to Dolby Digital 5.1 for the best experience.

FAQs

What are Dolby (AC3) and DTS?

Dolby (AC3) and DTS are compressed audio formats that allow high-quality, multi-channel audio to be stored in a relatively small amount of space.

What are Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA?

Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA are lossless audio formats that provide greater depth and dynamic range when compared to normal Dolby (AC3) and DTS audio.

What is LPCM?

LPCM is an uncompressed, lossless format which on the Apple TV supports up to 7.1 channels of 24-bit, 48KHz audio.

My movies have Dolby or DTS audio - which settings should I use?

Keeping the Apple TV set to Auto is recommended. This will provide the highest possible audio quality, and will adjust automatically to a wide array of audio system types.

Why isn't my receiver recognizing the audio as Dolby or DTS?

Since Dolby and DTS are both compressed formats, Infuse will first decompress this audio before sending it to your receiver as LPCM (some receivers will display this as PCM, or Multi-Channel).

Am I losing any quality by using LPCM?

No. Since LPCM is a lossless format, using it will result in no loss of quality. What your ears hear will be exactly the same. The only difference is your receiver will recognize the audio stream as PCM instead of Dolby/DTS.

Is spatial audio supported?

Yes, spatial audio is supported when using compatible devices.

What about Dolby Atmos and DTS-X?

Infuse supports Dolby Atmos when using E-AC3 audio tracks.

We're also working to encourage Apple to add more flexible audio options which would provide support for DTS-X and additional types of Atmos, including TrueHD. More info on the ways you can help with this can be found here.

Are higher sample rates (96KHz, 192KHz, etc...) supported?

The Apple TV does not currently support these sample rates, but if these are played in Infuse they will automatically be converted to 48KHz. Note: Most commercially available Dolby and DTS audio tracks (including TrueHD and DTS-HD MA) are encoded at 48KHz.

Are multi-channel AAC and FLAC supported?

Yes! Infuse will pass these formats as multi-channel LPCM.

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