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.

Check out the video below about Dolby Atmos and how to set up using Sound Bar.

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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 compatible with HDMI (ARC) which supports Dolby Atmos (TV does not support eARC)
• Connecting to a TV compatible with HDMI (ARC) which does not support Dolby Atmos (TV does not support 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. For details about Dolby Atmos compatibility information, check the support page or manual.

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
    Note: If you use Netflix, you will need to register a Premium plan membership (as of March 2023).
  • 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 or BD Secondary Audio 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 (such as Netflix), check the following:
  • Select the content which supports Dolby Atmos. You will see a Dolby Atmos icon next to the content description.
  • Check if the network service supports Dolby Atmos for the content.
  • Select the audio or language which supports Dolby Atmos in the audio option.
  • Refer to the manual of the TV to confirm that Dolby Atmos is supported
  • Set the TV's audio output to enable the Dolby Atmos output.

Connection method

1. Connect the Sound Bar HDMI OUT eARC/ARC port and the TV HDMI IN eARC/ARC port using an HDMI cable (D).
2. Connect the playback device's HDMI OUT port and the TV or Sound Bar HDMI IN port using an HDMI cable (E).
   Note: You can connect the HDMI cable (E) to either the Sound Bar HDMI IN or TV HDMI IN port, but be careful not to connect both ports.
   
   • A: Sound Bar
   • B: TV
   • C: Blu-ray Disc Player
   • D: HDMI cable (ethernet supported)
   • E: HDMI cable

   Note: The type of HDMI cable you need depends on your video resolution, HDR settings, etc. For details, refer to the Blu-ray Disc Player manual.

Settings

1. 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. Using the HT-A7000 as an example, on the remote control press the HOME button, and then select Setup → Advanced Settings → HDMI Settings → eARC → On.
2. In the HDMI Settings, select eARC and set it to On or Auto.
   Note: The procedure for enabling the eARC function may differ depending on the TV model. For details, refer to the product manual.
3. 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 AV Amplifier manual or Help Guide.
   • Set the Sound Field to A.F.D.

Connecting to a TV compatible with HDMI (ARC) which supports Dolby Atmos (TV does not support eARC)

Even if the TV does not support eARC, some TVs with ARC support can output Dolby Atmos format. If this is the case, you can play the following Dolby Atmos contents:

• Network service content output from the TV
• Content output from the Blu-ray Disc Player

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
    Note: If you use Netflix, you will need to register a Premium plan membership (as of March 2023).
  • 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 or BD Secondary Audio 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 (such as Netflix), check the following:
  • Select the content which supports Dolby Atmos. You will see a Dolby Atmos icon next to the content description.
  • Check if the network service supports Dolby Atmos for the content.
  • Select the audio or language which supports Dolby Atmos in the audio option.
  • Refer to the manual of the TV to confirm that Dolby Atmos is supported
  • Set the TV's audio output to enable the Dolby Atmos output.

Connection method

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

   Note: The type of HDMI cable you need depends on your video resolution, HDR settings, etc. For details, refer to the Blu-ray Disc Player manual.

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.

Connecting to a TV compatible with HDMI (ARC) which does not support Dolby Atmos (TV does not support eARC)

If you have a type of this TV, you cannot play Dolby Atmos content output from the TV. If the Sound Bar has an HDMI IN port, you can play Dolby Atmos content from a Blu-ray Disc Player.

Note:

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
• Sony's Blu-ray Disc Player does not support network services (such as Netflix) 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 or BD Secondary Audio 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

Connection method

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

   Note: The type of HDMI cable you need depends on your video resolution, HDR settings, etc. For details, refer to the Blu-ray Disc Player manual.

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 AV Amplifier manual or Help Guide.
• Set the Sound Field to A.F.D.