What Surround Sound Modes Are Available?

[JackBowman 35]

Please forgive me if this is an answered question. I was wondering what sound modes are supported. I use a Roku Ultra connected via HDMI to Sony AV. So far I am getting the following...

 

1. Dolby Digital

2 Dolby D+

3. DTS

I am not able to Get TrueHD or DTS-HD. They simply playback in Dolby Digital or DTS. They sound great but but my Sony Receiver does not reflect the modes on it's display. I have downloaded many test MKV files from https://thedigitaltheater.com/ for testing purposes. I would appreciate some education on this subject. Thank you in advance. I am really enjoying the forum here!  

 

Sincerely,

Jack

Edited September 26, 2022 by JackBowman

[roaku 842]

Your Roku can't handle TrueHD or DTS-HD.

An Nvidia Shield is the best/only? option for those Blu Ray derived audio formats.

[JackBowman 35]

11 minutes ago, roaku said:

Your Roku can't handle TrueHD or DTS-HD.

An Nvidia Shield is the best/only? option for those Blu Ray derived audio formats.

Odd that they say they are supported under the Roku settings/Audio/Digital Output format/Auto option. I wonder if this is a detect function but not playback? Thanks for the info!

[roaku 842]

4 minutes ago, JackBowman said:

Odd that they say they are supported under the Roku settings/Audio/Digital Output format/Auto option. I wonder if this is a detect function but not playback? Thanks for the info!

They've managed to confuse everyone with that screen: https://community.roku.com/t5/Roku-Device-Features-Settings-Updates/Roku-Dolby-TrueHD-Now-Listed-as-a-Supported-Format/td-p/563990

 

But the specs haven't change: https://developer.roku.com/docs/specs/media/streaming-specifications.md

And I'll preemptively mention that the Atmos support is *only* over DD+, not when packaged with TrueHD.

[JackBowman 35]

1 hour ago, roaku said:

They've managed to confuse everyone with that screen: https://community.roku.com/t5/Roku-Device-Features-Settings-Updates/Roku-Dolby-TrueHD-Now-Listed-as-a-Supported-Format/td-p/563990

 

But the specs haven't change: https://developer.roku.com/docs/specs/media/streaming-specifications.md

And I'll preemptively mention that the Atmos support is *only* over DD+, not when packaged with TrueHD.

You have been so helpful helping me understand this. I appreciate it very much! Looks like I will be looking for a deal on the Nvidia Shield. I have been a Roku user for years but I still have two more HDMI ports in the Sony Receiver, so here we go. Thanks again.

[bcm00re 18]

Is all this (the above) still true in April 2025?

Edited April 7, 2025 by bcm00re

[rotational467 43]

Yes.  Device-wise the Shield is basically it, but that hardware is getting very long in the tooth (2019).  There have also been mixed opinions on the more recent software updates for it.  Alternatively, for less $ than a Shield and a little extra work setting up, one can get a mini-PC with Intel graphics and the ability to direct play effectively anything via Linux + Kodi + the E4K plugin.  No, it's not as completely user-friendly as a Roku, but with a cheap $10 remote control anybody can use it.  Works great as a Steam In-Home streaming client as well.

[ebr 16169]

46 minutes ago, rotational467 said:

a little extra work setting up, one can get a mini-PC with Intel graphics and the ability to direct play effectively anything via Linux + Kodi + the E4K plugin.  No, it's not as completely user-friendly as a Roku,

[emphasis mine] Those might be a little under-stated .  There would be a HUGE difference in ease of setup, maintenance and usage between a Linux HTPC and something like a Roku.

All depends on how much time you want to spend tinkering and maintaining...