Nowadays, numerous video and audio formats can be found in a media player or media. It is an advantage of streaming services and Blu-rays discs that several formats and audio tracks can be used. We often find in our support that not all media players or apps deliver the expected formats. Mistakenly, this is then blamed on the end devices or components in between. However, the limitations already arise at the source.
In the following we have listed the maximum possible audio and video formats of the respective devices and apps. It should be noted that only very few films/series use the maximum formats. Dolby Atmos sound is usually only found with the (English) original sound. With Amazon Prime Video, Dolby Atmos is only possible together with 4K. Dolby Vision is only used for a few series. Netflix requires a premium subscription for 4K and Dolby Atmos
Apple TV
Apple TV decodes multichannel audio formats itself and then delivers uncompressed PCM audio tracks. This can only be transmitted via HDMI. It is nevertheless possible to output content with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound as a bitstream. For example, to transmit the sound via SPDIF or ARC to the sound system. To do this, the audio format must be changed to "16 bit". Unfortunately, this does not work with Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos is transmitted in 8 PCM channels. This format is called Dolby MAT.
| App | max. audio format | max. video format |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Dolby Atmos MAT | 4K HDR10 |
| Apple TV+ | Dolby Atmos MAT | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Disney+ | Dolby Atmos MAT | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Netflix | Dolby Atmos MAT | 4K Dolby Vision |
Fire TV
There are several device variants. The most common for Ultra HD content are the Fire TV Stick 4K and the Fire TV Cube. The audio format can be switched manually (Stereo / Dolby Digital / Dolby Digital Plus), which enables optimal adaptation to the TV or sound system. In order for suitable content to be output in Dolby Vision, the video output must be left to the automatic system.
Formats on the Fire TV Cube:
| App | max. audio format | max. video format |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Apple TV+ | DD+ 5.1 | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Disney+ | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Netflix | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
Formats on the Fire TV Stick 4K:
| App | max. audio format | max. video format |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Apple TV+ | DD+ 5.1 | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Disney+ | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Netflix | DD+ 5.1 | 4K Dolby Vision |
Google Chromecast
The Google Chromecast Ultra Stick and also the latest model Chromecast with Google TV do not deliver AC3 (Dolby Digital bitstream) in the streaming apps. Instead, they output either stereo or Dolby Digital Plus (DD+) as bitstream. This has two disadvantages:
1. DD+ can only be transmitted via HDMI, no longer via SPDIF Toslink. Therefore, the TV (or an HDMI Audio Extractor) cannot transmit 5.1 sound on the optical output.
2.
2. Older AV amplifiers cannot cope with the DD+ audio format due to the lack of a decoder.
Formats on the Google Chromecast Ultra:
| App | max. audio format | max. video format |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Apple TV+ | n/a | n/a |
| Disney+ | (Dolby Atmos)* | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Netflix | DD+ 5.1 | 4K Dolby Vision |
Formats on Chromecast with Google TV:
| App | max. audio format | max. video format |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Apple TV+ | n/a | n/a |
| Disney+ | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Netflix | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
Nvidia Shield TV
This media player (normal and pro version) has the peculiarity of only outputting content with a fixed frame rate. If the set frame rate differs from the actual one, some TVs then show judder when the camera pans.
| App | max. audio format | max. video format |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Apple TV+ | n/a | n/a |
| Disney+ | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Netflix | Dolby Atmos | 4K Dolby Vision |
Playstation PS4 Pro
The Playstation does not deliver content with dynamic high contrast - but at most HDR10 on Netflix . 3D sound is not to be found on the streaming apps. The situation is similar with the new Playstation PS5. Sony relies on its own 3D audio format "Tempest", which is optimised for headphones. Higher audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD are only available via Blu-ray disc.
| App | max. audio format | max. video format |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | DD 5.1 | 4K SDR |
| Apple TV+ | DD 5.1 | 4K HDR |
| Disney+ | DD 5.1 | 4K SDR |
| Netflix | DD 5.1 | 4K HDR10 |
Sky Q
Sky programmes are received via satellite and cable television with the Sky Q receiver. In addition, content from Sky and Netflix can be streamed. The offer is to be expanded soon with Disney+. Dolby Vision is not yet supported. Instead, Sky uses the HLG-HDR format commonly used for TV broadcasts. Dolby Atmos sound is possible in principle, but currently only works with Sky's own offerings. The series "Das Boot" is currently the only Atmos source.
App
max. audio format
max. video format
Amazon Prime Video
n/a
n/a
Apple TV+
n/a
n/a
Disney+
from Q2/2021
from Q2/2021
Netflix
DD+ 5.1
4K HDR
Xbox One and Series S/X
Just like Apple TV, Microsoft uses the MAT format for Dolby Atmos. The sound is decoded in the Xbox and then output uncompressed This allows system sounds to overlay the audio track - important in games. The Dolby Vision signal is also generated by the Xbox and not decoded in the TV as usual. This video format is called "Dolby Vision Low Latency". Most Dolby Vision televisions can cope with it. But some older ones then only show HDR10.
| App | max. audio format | max. video format |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | DD+ 5.1 | 4K HDR10 |
| Apple TV+ | Dolby Atmos MAT | 4K HDR |
| Disney+ | Dolby Atmos MAT | 4K Dolby Vision |
| Netflix | Dolby Atmos MAT | 4K Dolby Vision |