tvOS 18.5: Improvements to Dolby Atmos playback
Apple is stepping up its game when it comes to surround sound. A useful new Atmos feature is coming with tvOS 18.5.
Apple TV 4K with HomePod mini.
(Image: Apple)
Apple has released the package insert for tvOS 18.5 this week. In addition to various fixed security vulnerabilities, there is also a functional update for the Apple TV multimedia box. These include support for the Dolby Atmos surround sound protocol, which enables spatial audio for movies.
Subsequent synchronization possible for the first time
As Apple writes in its release notes, Dolby Atmos is now played back synchronized via AirPlay and Bluetooth. There is also a new feature called Wireless Audio Sync, which can be found in the settings for video and audio.
This makes it possible for the first time to remedy problems with delays between picture and sound. Previously, if the two were not working together, you could only try to restart your hardware (i.e. both speakers and/or receiver and Apple TV) and hope that this would solve the problem. With tvOS 18.5, however, there is now a separate function for re-synchronization.
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Previously only switching to Dolby 5.1 was possible
It is commendable that it works for Apple's own streaming protocol as well as for Blueooth speakers. Accordingly, you are not forced to rely solely on AirPlay. In cases of incorrect synchronization, users have previously noticed that dialogues and other audio signals were slightly out of sync with the content being played back, which could be easily detected by lip movements, for example. The issue could be solved by switching to 5.1 surround sound, but most users did not want to –. After all, Dolby Atmos offers better sound and more expensive hardware was purchased for it.
It is unclear why Apple took so long to implement the function for subsequent synchronization – Atmos has been supported for some time. How well the function works in practice is still unclear – We were not yet able to try it out live. Apple has recently been in trouble over AirPlay: security researchers discovered serious loopholes in the streaming protocol that allowed external devices to be hijacked. Apple distributed updates that many consumer electronics companies have not yet implemented.
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