Trouble with DTS audio : Synology (Emby server) --> Nvidia Shield Pro (Emby client) --> Samsung TV (display)

[PaTRCK99 0]

Hi,

I have a large collection of films stored on my Synology DS920+.
Most of these films have DTS audio tracks and PGS subtitles.
I am unable to watch these films with both the audio AND the subtitles working.

Emby Server is installed on the Synology, and the Emby client is installed on an Nvidia Shield Pro.

If I force audio conversion on the server, the playback constantly freezes (likely because the subtitles are being burned into the video frames).
If I don't force conversion on the server, I get no sound through my Samsung smart TV which do not natively support the DTS format.

I have spent hours trying to configure the server, the client, and the Shield Pro—all without achieving the desired result.

Perhaps this issue has already been resolved by other owners of Samsung smart TVs.

I would really like to be able to use Emby for a long time to come.

Thanks very much in advance for your help.

Patrick

[PaTRCK99 0]

Some additional details regarding my setup :
- I have a large number of 4K HDR films.
- Both the Synology and the Shield are on a 1-gigabit wired network.
- The Shield is connected via HDMI to the Samsung Smart TV.
- The audio output from the Samsung Smart TV is routed via an optical cable to a stereo DAC (PCM) and then to my hi-fi system.

[serpi 82]

Shouldn't the Shield be able to handle DTS? Do you have audio passthrough (for DTS) activated on the shield?

[PaTRCK99 0]

Thank you for your answer.

I haven't found a way to get the Shield to convert DTS. And also, I don't find any passtrough on the shield.

It works with Plex (DTS audio and PGS subtitles), but I really want to switch to Emby!

[Lessaj 595]

The Shield supports PGS subtitles, they do not need to be burned in. Disable DTS in the Audio settings on the Shield. My LG TV also doesn't pass DTS to my soundbar so I had to disable it. The Shield will automatically convert it on output once disabled. I can get a screenshot later if you can't find the options.

[FrostByte 5656]

Do you not have a soundbar with HDMI in and out then?  You should connect the Shield to the soundbar if you do and then you should be able to play all the audio codecs you need for your 4K movies without converting.

My setup

Synology HDMI> Shield HDMI> Soundbar eARC> Samsung TV

But ya, turn off DTS and TrueHD audio on the Shield and it will automatically convert them to PCM, or click on Auto and it should automatically detect which formats your TV supports.

[Lessaj 595]

47 minutes ago, FrostByte said:

Do you not have a soundbar with HDMI in and out then?  You should connect the Shield to the soundbar if you do and then you should be able to play all the audio codecs you need for your 4K movies without converting.

That'll depend on the soundbar, mine doesn't support 4k passthrough but works fine with ARC from the TV.

[Lessaj 595]

Android Settings -> Device Preferences -> Display & Sound -> Advances sound settings -> Available formats

If there are issues with Auto try setting to Manual and disable DTS and DTS HD

Edited 3 hours ago by Lessaj

[FrostByte 5656]

4 minutes ago, Lessaj said:

That'll depend on the soundbar, mine doesn't support 4k passthrough but works fine with ARC from the TV.

True, that would be the way to go with that setup though if the OP doesn't have one and wants to get one. 

PaTRCK99, if you do get one look for this in the specs.  I believe all the Samsung 5.1/7.1 soundbars support 4K passthrough.  A lot of the ones with lower channel support don't.  Which makes sense.

Video Feature
4K Video Pass
120 Hz

And you need at least 1 HDMI in, 1 out, and eARC.  If it has 2 HDMI input then you can plug in something like an Xbox also.

Connectivity
HDMI In
2
HDMI Out
1
HDMI ARC
Yes (eARC)

 

vs a lower end model that says

Video Feature
4K Video Pass
No

 

[Lessaj 595]

Ah right they're using SPDIF so no soundbar involved here, they have a separate HiFi system.

[FrostByte 5656]

41 minutes ago, Lessaj said:

Ah right they're using SPDIF so no soundbar involved here, they have a separate HiFi system.

Thanks, I missed that

[PaTRCK99 0]

I don’t have a soundbar.

My TV’s audio is routed to the stereo DAC of my "traditional" hi-fi system (a stereo amplifier and two speakers). The setup produces excellent sound—when there is any sound at all.

In the Shield’s settings, I’ve unchecked the DTS format to indicate that it isn’t supported by the TV; this should, in theory, force the Shield to transcode DTS into AC3 (PCM).

That’s how it works with Plex, for instance.

However, with Emby, there’s no sound—it’s as if the audio is simply "forgotten."

I’m aware that it’s possible to use an Emby add-on within Kodi; while that supports all audio formats, the user interface is too limited, making navigation a chore.

That is why I’m looking for a way to use Emby while maintaining support for all standard audio formats.

Thanks for your ideas!