How to play Dolby Atmos format audio using a Multi Channel AV receiver or Sound Bar

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and operating systems. Check the Applicable Products and Categories section of This Article.

Refer to the appropriate procedure, depending on whether your TV is compatible with HDMI (eARC):

• Connecting to a TV compatible with HDMI (eARC)
• Connecting to a TV not compatible with HDMI (eARC)

Note: The input label on the back of the TV will help to confirm if your TV (HDMI IN terminal) supports an eARC connection.

Connecting to a TV compatible with HDMI (eARC)

When the Sound Bar is connected to the HDMI (eARC/ARC) port, you can play back the following content:

• Dolby Atmos format content output from the TV
• Dolby Atmos format content output from a playback device, such as a Blu-ray Disc Player

Notes:

• Update the Sound Bar software to the latest version.
• When you play Dolby Atmos content from the Blu-ray Disc player, check the following:
  • Refer to the manual of the Blu-ray Disc player to confirm that the player supports Dolby Atmos
  • According to the device, content, or subscription plan, network service content (such as Netflix) may not be played in the Dolby Atmos format
  • Dolby Atmos compatible content is released on Blu-ray Discs. Check for the Dolby Atmos mark on the disc to determine whether the disc is compatible
  • Open the audio selection window on the Blu-ray Disc menu and select the audio (language) that includes Dolby Atmos
  • To play content with Dolby Atmos, the player must be set to output Dolby Atmos as the primary audio (main sound) alone. On Sony's Blu-ray Disc players for example, when the BD Audio MIX Setting in Audio Settings is set to On, the audio cannot be output with Dolby Atmos. For details, refer to the manual of the Blu-ray Disc player
• When you play Dolby Atmos content from a TV network service, check the following:
  • Refer to the manual of the TV to confirm that Dolby Atmos is supported
  • Set the TV's audio output to Dolby Digital Plus.
    Note: Dolby Digital output will not be output in Dolby Atmos.

Connection method

1. Connect the Sound Bar HDMI OUT eARC/ARC port and the TV HDMI IN eARC/ARC port using an HDMI cable.
2. Connect the playback device's HDMI OUT port and the TV or Sound Bar HDMI IN port using an HDMI cable.
   Note: For step 2, use whichever HDMI IN port of the TV or Sound Bar is not in use.
   
   • A: Sound Bar
   • B: TV
   • C: Blu-ray Disc Player
   • D: High-Speed HDMI cable
3. Enable the eARC function for the Sound Bar.
   Note: The procedure for enabling the eARC function will differ depending on the Sound Bar model. For details, refer to the product manual. For example, the procedure for the HT-Z9F and HT-ZF9 is as follows:
   1. Press the HOME button on the remote control, and then select Setup → Advanced Settings → HDMI Settings → eARC → On.
   2. In the HDMI Settings, select HDMI Signal Format, then select Enhanced format.
4. Check the HDMI settings of the TV.
   Note: The procedure for enabling the eARC function may differ depending on the TV model. For details, refer to the product manual.
   1. In the HDMI Settings, select eARC and set it to On.
   2. In the HDMI Settings, select HDMI Signal Format, then select Enhanced format.
5. When you are using an AV amplifier (STR-xxx), check the following:
   • Connect the ceiling speaker or Dolby Atmos enabled speaker to the AV amplifier. In the Speaker Settings, set the Speaker Pattern to x.x.2 (e.g. 5.1.2 (TM), 5.1.2 (FD)), and then select Height/Overhead Speakers or Dolby Atmos enabled speaker to match your speaker configuration. For details, refer to the manual or Help Guide of the AV Amplifier.
   • Set the Sound Field to A.F.D.

Connecting to a TV not compatible with HDMI (eARC)

When the Sound Bar is connected to a TV that is not compatible with HDMI (eARC), you can only play Dolby Atmos format content output from a playback device, such as Blu-ray Disc Player. You will not be able to play Dolby Atmos format content output from the TV.

Notes:

• When you play Dolby Atmos content from the Blu-ray Disc player, check the following:
  • Refer to the manual of the Blu-ray Disc player to confirm that the player supports Dolby Atmos
  • According to the device, content, or subscription plan, network service content (such as Netflix) may not be played in the Dolby Atmos format
  • Dolby Atmos compatible content is released on Blu-ray Discs. Check for the Dolby Atmos mark on the disc to determine whether the disc is compatible
  • Open the audio selection window on the Blu-ray Disc menu and select the audio (language) that includes Dolby Atmos
  • To play content with Dolby Atmos, the player must be set to output Dolby Atmos as the primary audio (main sound) alone. On Sony's Blu-ray Disc players for example, when the BD Audio MIX Setting in Audio Settings is set to On, the audio cannot be output with Dolby Atmos. For details, refer to the manual of the Blu-ray Disc player
• When you play Dolby Atmos content from a TV network service, check the following:
  • Refer to the manual of the TV to confirm that Dolby Atmos is supported
  • Set the TV's audio output to Dolby Digital Plus.
    Note: Dolby Digital output will not be output in Dolby Atmos.

Connection method

1. Connect the Sound Bar HDMI OUT eARC/ARC port and the TV HDMI IN port using an HDMI cable.
2. Connect the playback device's HDMI OUT port and the Sound Bar HDMI IN port using an HDMI cable.
   
   • A: Sound Bar
   • B: TV
   • C: Blu-ray Disc Player
   • D: High-Speed HDMI cable

Settings

• When you are using an AV amplifier (STR-xxx), check the following:
  • Connect the ceiling speaker or Dolby Atmos enabled speaker to the AV amplifier. In the Speaker Settings, set the Speaker Pattern to x.x.2 (e.g. 5.1.2 (TM), 5.1.2 (FD)), and then select Height/Overhead Speakers or Dolby Atmos enabled speaker to match your speaker configuration. For details, refer to the manual or Help Guide of the AV Amplifier.
  • Set the Sound Field to A.F.D.