Emby Android TV App on Mi Box – No Dolby Digital / DTS / 5.1 Passthrough

[Cayan 0]

Hello,

I’m having a persistent problem with the Emby Android TV app on my Xiaomi Mi Box and I’d like some help from the community or admins to figure it out.

My Setup

• Emby Server: Running on Windows PC

• Client Device: Xiaomi Mi Box (Android TV)

• Connection Path:

  Mi Box → HDMI → Denon AVR-X2700H (Atmos, 7.1 setup) → Projector

  Audio is always processed by the receiver

• AVR and speakers are all properly configured for up to 7.1 with Atmos.

The Problem

No matter what I do, the Emby Android TV app only outputs stereo. It does not passthrough Dolby Digital, DTS, or Atmos.

When I check the Playback Info while playing files, the app always shows software decoding on the audio track. Sometimes it specifically says “software decoding because audio channels exceed the limit”. In either case, Emby is always decoding the audio instead of passing it through to the receiver.

What I’ve Tested

• Other Apps Work Fine on the Same Device (with the same files):

  Plex app on the same Mi Box, playing the same files → passthrough works perfectly (Dolby Digital, DTS, 5.1, 7.1, Atmos).

  VLC app on the same Mi Box, playing the same files → passthrough also works correctly.

  I tested more than 10 different files with audio tracks in DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Atmos and AAC. None of them passed through with the Emby app, but every single one worked correctly with Plex, VLC, and cast via Chromecast/Emby.

• Chromecast Test:

  If I cast from the Emby mobile app (Android phone) → Chromecast on the same Mi Box, it passthrough the audio, and the receiver gets the correct surround/Atmos audio.

  This confirms the files and server are fine.

• Settings Tried in Emby Android TV App:

  “Convert unsupported audio to Dolby Digital” → No effect.

  “Auto (best available)” → No effect.

  No matter what I set, it always outputs stereo PCM.

• Hardware / Connection Tests:

  Tried different HDMI ports on the receiver → no change.

  Tried an optical cable connection as a test → still only stereo.

  Receiver correctly detects other apps and formats when not using Emby.

Summary

• Only Emby Android TV app on the Mi Box fails to passthrough.

• Plex, VLC, and Chromecast (via Emby mobile) all passthrough surround correctly with the same files.

• Playback Info in Emby shows software decoding instead of passthrough, either generally or because “channels exceed the limit.”

• Tested multiple connection methods, multiple ports, and multiple audio formats → always stereo with Emby.

• Server is working fine, files are fine.

This feels like a bug or limitation in the Emby Android TV app playback engine, since every other app on the same hardware passes through properly.

Question

Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a known fix or workaround?
Is passthrough officially supported on the Emby Android TV app for the Mi Box?

Thanks in advance for any guidance—this is the only thing stopping me from using Emby as my main media server.

[Luke 42077]

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

[Cayan 0]

Leaving 1 Log file in attach as example. Thank you all!

ffmpeg-remux-5fd61beb-bcd6-427b-833a-73139a438790_1.txt

[rbjtech 5284]

I run a Denon AVR with the same physical HDMI port setup but using a Shield Pro as the input - and passthrough of all codecs incl HD Audio/Atmos have worked flawlessly for years.

There should be NO transcoding required - all should play Direct, assuming your client can handle the video codec/output.

Also worth checking on the Denon, re the HDMI Monitor settings to ensure you have enhanced HDMI on etc.

On the client, I'm presuming you have set the Passthrough options in Playback settings ?

Lastly - it may be worth trying the Universal Android App - v4.0.88 - the latest beta.

 

Edited August 22, 2025 by rbjtech

[Luke 42077]

13 hours ago, Cayan said:

Leaving 1 Log file in attach as example. Thank you all!

ffmpeg-remux-5fd61beb-bcd6-427b-833a-73139a438790_1.txt 712.61 kB · 2 downloads

If none of the above helps,  Can you try searching for our standard android app (Just "Emby" on Amazon and "Emby for Android on Google) on the same device's app store and see how that compares?

Thanks.