Transforming Apple TV 4K with Dolby Atmos: A Revolution in My Home Theater Setup
Swapping my Samsung S95C for a Sony A95L has been a game-changer, but there's one issue that's been spoiling my late-night Apple TV 4K movie sessions – and I finally managed to sort it out.
The Sony's legendary picture processing is the primary reason the A95L feels like an upgrade, even though both TVs share the same panel. However, this processing comes with a delay, and Sony's advanced models have developed a reputation for lip-sync issues due to the sound being rendered ahead of the picture.
I expected to encounter these sync issues with games, but after multiple updates, the A95L seems to have resolved the problems in that area. For movies and TV shows, I mainly use my HT-A9 speakers, but when the house is quiet, I switch to using my AirPods Max.
During my time with the Samsung TV, using AirPods Max for sound was a fantastic solution. But since I started using the Sony A95L, I’ve been dealing with audio sync issues.
A F trademark; solution I found
I was unaware of Apple TV 4K's Wireless Audio Sync feature until last month, when I wrote about it being expanded to support Dolby Atmos[2]. Thinking this must be the solution to my lip-sync issues, I followed the process to calibrate audio delay using my iPhone. While this improved things, it didn't entirely eliminate the problem.
Frustrated, I kept messing with audio and video settings until I stumbled upon a solution earlier this week while watching the gripping Sinners: turning off Match Frame Rate.
I don't know why this made a difference, but it did. Of course, turning off Match Frame Rate causes a problem—some content will play in the incorrect frame rate, leading to a degree of judder.
Going frame-by-frame
Some people won't notice or care about this judder, but I am not one of them. Consequently, I've started manually selecting the correct frame rate for whatever I'm watching in the Apple TV 4K's menus. Almost all movies are presented in 24fps, so I select one of the 4K 24Hz frame rate options, which can be found at the bottom of the 'Other Formats' sub-menu under 'Format'.
If you're unsure about the correct frame rate for the content you're watching, you can find a way to determine it on my Sony TV[3]. Starting the movie or TV show with Match Frame Rate turned on in the Apple TV 4K's settings, then opening the A95L's Detailed Signal Info option displays the correct frame rate. I can then go back out to the Apple TV 4K's settings, turn Match Frame Rate off, then choose the appropriate frame rate from the 'Other Formats' sub-menu.
A pain, but worth it
Sure, going through all of this is a hassle, but it's been worth it for me. If you're as picky as I am about these things, here's a breakdown of the steps I take:
- On the Apple TV 4K, go to Settings > Video and Audio > Wireless Audio Sync and follow the on-screen instructions using your iPhone. While this didn't fix my audio issues, it helped, and it may work for some people[2].
- Switch to Settings > Video and Audio > Match Content and ensure Match Frame Rate is on.
- Start playing the content.
- On the Sony TV remote, click the Input button, then click Enter on the icon for the HDMI input to which the Apple TV is connected.
- In the new menu that appears, select Detailed Signal Info. This will provide lots of information about the signal being sent to the TV by the Apple TV, including the Frame Rate.
- Press Home on your Apple TV remote, then go to Settings > Video and Audio > Match Content and turn Match Frame Rate off. Then go to Settings > Video and Audio > Format and select a format with the correct frame rate. If it's 24Hz you're looking for, you'll need to open the 'Other Formats' sub-menu and scroll almost to the bottom.
(I generally select the 4K Dolby Vision 24Hz option, knowing that the Match Dynamic Range setting, which I always have enabled, will automatically switch to HDR10 or SDR if the content I’m watching isn’t in Dolby Vision.)
- Resume playing your movie or TV show, don your AirPods Max, and enjoy perfectly in-sync picture and sound.
For those seeking premium visual and auditory experiences[6], Sony A95L, Apple TV 4K, and AirPods Max pair exceptionally – now you know how to configure them for immersive, distraction-free entertainment.
MORE:
The *best TVs* of 2023 [Top Picks and Price Ranges]
*The Apple TV 4K is comfortably the best streamer, but only if you're willing to take the time to tweak its settings* [5].
- In my search for a solution to the audio sync issues with my Sony A95L TV and AirPods Max, I discovered the Wireless Audio Sync feature on the Apple TV 4K, even expanded to support Dolby Atmos.
- Although this feature improved things slightly, it didn't entirely eliminate the problem.
- Frustrated, I eventually found a solution by turning off the Match Frame Rate option in the Apple TV 4K's settings while watching a movie or TV show, which reduced the audio sync issues.
- However, turning off Match Frame Rate can cause content to play in the incorrect frame rate, leading to judder.
- Therefore, I've started manually selecting the correct frame rate for whatever I'm watching in the Apple TV 4K's menus, with most movies being presented in 24fps.
- If you're unsure about the correct frame rate for the content you're watching, you can determine it on your Sony TV.
- The latest technological gadgets such as smartphones, wearables, smart-home devices, and even high-end audio equipment like hi-fi amplifiers and brands like Sony, HT-A9 speakers, and AirPods Max have the potential to deliver an immersive entertainment experience.
- With the right configuration, premium visual and auditory experiences can be achieved, providing engaging, distraction-free entertainment.
- Stay updated with the latest entertainment news, reviews, and previews for movies and TV shows, technology gadgets, and new product launches to keep your entertainment system up-to-date.
