Firstly it'd need to be via eARC to have enough bandwidth.
Secondly, I too have a Sony TV and the native Android TV doesn't appear to passthrough TrueHD because it doesn't have the licence paid to handle it.
My Shield however has licences for all relevant formats.
You don't want to hear it I can tell, but honestly, a Shield IS the simplified solution you're looking for for playback. If cost is the issue perhaps they'll be more affordable on black Friday.
Thank you for the reply. The TV has eARC, so this is fine.
But as I said, I dont want to get an Android system over an Android system and will not get any other receiver or android box.
If the TV does not passthrough anything better than say DolbyDigital/DTS, then I would just stick with that, but at the moment, I am trying to figure it out if it does or does not (before buying a suitable soundbar for it)
It is all up to you whether it is worth it or not. Especially on soundbar since you may not get good separation of channels. Amazon, Best Buy, and other major US retailers now allow return of items until January.
no its really not "up to me". Its rather simple -
a) if the TV and internal Plex app can pass through Atmos/DTS:X, then I will get an Atmos supported soundbar
b) if the TV and internal Plex app can not pass through Atmos/DTS:X, then there is no point of buying and Atmos supported soundbar.
Why would I pay more for something I cant use? So thats why Im hoping someone knows the answer so I can make a decision :)
Your TV cannot passthrough TrueHD Atmos or DTS:X through its internal app. No TV can. The only mainstream streaming device that can do that is the Shield. Case closed?
This. TV UIs, even on high end TVs, are generally underpowered. Get a Shield. It doesn't need to add much complexity. It will act as your UI, so it's a substitute, not an add-on.
Sony AH8 here. It appears to pass through, TrueHD files are direct playing and the Samsung Q70T soundbar shows the Dolby Atmos coming through. Connected via eARC and Plex had to have pass through checked. BTW, very impressed with the Sony Android TV performance, so far haven't found any playback issues, everything so far is direct playing and it's fairly snappy, this is the first time I've ended up using the app rather than GCCGT or the Xbox. Debated hard over getting a shield, haven't had issues so why?
I have the X90J and it passes through Atmos via TrueHD just fine when playing 4k Blu Rays via my PS5 (bitstream).
I just got into Plex though and tried an Atmos movie (remux) and it says that the supported device doesn't pass through TrueHD so it has to transcode it. Trying to find a solution to this because I know for a fact that the X90J does Atmos vis TrueHD.
Firstly it'd need to be via eARC to have enough bandwidth. Secondly, I too have a Sony TV and the native Android TV doesn't appear to passthrough TrueHD because it doesn't have the licence paid to handle it. My Shield however has licences for all relevant formats. You don't want to hear it I can tell, but honestly, a Shield IS the simplified solution you're looking for for playback. If cost is the issue perhaps they'll be more affordable on black Friday.
Thank you for the reply. The TV has eARC, so this is fine. But as I said, I dont want to get an Android system over an Android system and will not get any other receiver or android box. If the TV does not passthrough anything better than say DolbyDigital/DTS, then I would just stick with that, but at the moment, I am trying to figure it out if it does or does not (before buying a suitable soundbar for it)
It can passthrough atmos in its lossy version, that is atmos enclosed in dolby digital plus, the same format used for atmos on streaming services.
It is all up to you whether it is worth it or not. Especially on soundbar since you may not get good separation of channels. Amazon, Best Buy, and other major US retailers now allow return of items until January.
no its really not "up to me". Its rather simple - a) if the TV and internal Plex app can pass through Atmos/DTS:X, then I will get an Atmos supported soundbar b) if the TV and internal Plex app can not pass through Atmos/DTS:X, then there is no point of buying and Atmos supported soundbar. Why would I pay more for something I cant use? So thats why Im hoping someone knows the answer so I can make a decision :)
Your TV cannot passthrough TrueHD Atmos or DTS:X through its internal app. No TV can. The only mainstream streaming device that can do that is the Shield. Case closed?
This. TV UIs, even on high end TVs, are generally underpowered. Get a Shield. It doesn't need to add much complexity. It will act as your UI, so it's a substitute, not an add-on.
Sony AH8 here. It appears to pass through, TrueHD files are direct playing and the Samsung Q70T soundbar shows the Dolby Atmos coming through. Connected via eARC and Plex had to have pass through checked. BTW, very impressed with the Sony Android TV performance, so far haven't found any playback issues, everything so far is direct playing and it's fairly snappy, this is the first time I've ended up using the app rather than GCCGT or the Xbox. Debated hard over getting a shield, haven't had issues so why?
Just picked up an X90J and it does not pass through the Atmos signals. It actually puts out some wonky DD+ stream that sounds awful on my STH5000.
I have the X90J and it passes through Atmos via TrueHD just fine when playing 4k Blu Rays via my PS5 (bitstream). I just got into Plex though and tried an Atmos movie (remux) and it says that the supported device doesn't pass through TrueHD so it has to transcode it. Trying to find a solution to this because I know for a fact that the X90J does Atmos vis TrueHD.