Dolby Atmos & Netflix broken on Xbox One (original console)

reptilian · Feb 4, 2020

Netflix and only Netflix plays poor audio on Atmos titles. Frequent clicks and pops on both headphones (NOT A RECEIVER ISSUE) or when using speakers. Blu-ray and Atmos games work great.

I have been trying to fix this since August 2019. All of my system is Dolby Atmos compliant (as I said, Atmos games and Blu-Rays, and Microsoft Movies & TV Atmos films work great).

ONLY when I'm in Netflix, Atmos titles have a frequent popping and click sound, about every minute or so. If I reinstall Netflix, then the Atmos titles get stuck at buffering 24% until I restart the Xbox and then they play with
the audible clicks and pops in the Atmos track.

Especially on "Another Life", during the intro when the ship lands/crashes. Also, it happens every time on the Kevin Hart comedy intro.

Other titles, like "Okja" and "Silent" seem to play with minimal or zero pops/clicks. Every other Atmos title sounds bad. It's highly distracting. Like it's trying to work but every scene with heavy sound effects/panning gives a
static-like click click click sound every few seconds.

I have contacted Dolby Access support and Netflix support. Both told me no fix is available currently. I've been paying extra for Netflix Ultra/Atmos content and can't use it.

When will Atmos be fixed on Xbox and especially Netflix?

Do I need to be on the Insider Ring? Atmos has been available since 2017 and over 2 years later it's still not working.

Could it be because I'm using the original Xbox One (2013) and not a S or X? It's advertised as all Xbox One consoles support Atmos.

Now it's Microsoft's turn for the support (chat and phone not available for this issue).

I've seen so many other various Atmos/Xbox issues on these forums, and the companies Netflix, Dolby, and Microsoft pass the blame to each other instead of working to fix it.

:)

reptilian

Hello there, if your using Atmos for Netflix try Windows Sonic that should help because it works most of the time, depending. But if this doesn't help i suggest trying to reinstall the app, or clearing the cache in your Netflix app, I apologize
if this is no help, I never had this issue before and I'm not quite sure how to help you fix this issue sadly.

Respectfully, thanks for the suggestion, but no thank you, I will not use Windows Sonic when I have already paid for and LOVE Dolby Atmos. My entire audio system is built around Dolby Atmos. I think there is no fixing this until Netflix decides to fix it.
I appreciate the help though.

Here's another Microsoft forum link so you can see I'm not the only one with the Netflix Dolby Atmos issues:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...d=9413419a-d12a-4fbf-a8ec-0089d113e9e5&page=1

XBF Brad A

Hello all,

As this is an old thread, I will be locking this one. Updates, games and everything changes often so would be best to create a new thread. Once a new thread is created we will be happy to assist you in any issues or questions you might have.

Thanks,

Brad

reptilian

Since you're saying Atmos works on the other apps installed on your Xbox I believe it's Netflix's responsibility to fix their app. I have an Xbox One S with the Dolby Atmos app installed. I've enabled the Dolby Atmos Headphone feature and set it in my Xbox
Settings. Upon doing this, the Netflix app would never get passed the loading the screen (the N). Eventually it would time out and give me an error message. I tried rebooting, cache clearing, reinstalling, etc. This was with me launching Netflix with my headphones
already plugged into my wireless controller. So I tried unplugging my headphones before launching the Netflix app... which redirected my audio to my 7.1 receiver (not Atmos, but I don't have home theater Atmos enabled in the Dolby app anyways) and that worked.
Netflix would open again. I then plug my headphones back into my controller and launched Our Planet to see if the Atmos badge would show up, which it did indicating the Netflix app had successfully detected my Atmos (for headphones). I'm assuming the Netflix
app upon loading, goes through a detection of your current setup and someone in that process the settings I had caused it to just spin until the timeout occurred.

Couple questions for you. How are your headphones connected? Via your receiver or via your controller? Also, how is your controller connected? Wireless or wired?

Somehow I missed these responses... I guess misery loves company, because I'm relieved to see I'm not the only one with the Netflix Atmos popping and static sounds.

To answer your question, I'm using ordinary Sony earbuds wired into the 3.5mm jack of a standard Xbox One wireless controller. The brand of headphones make no difference. The controller makes no difference, wired or wireless.

It's irrelevant of the controller, because I have the same Netflix issues when I'm NOT using headphones. I have a true Atmos 5.1.2 setup and my DVR has the same pops and clicking sounds as the Dolby Access for Headphones.

I have also tried HDMI directly from Xbox One to TV to eliminate the possibility of my DVR as an issue.

I'm 99% convinced it's a Netflix developer issue that they can't seem to fix or just don't care. At least Dolby is trying to resolve this with me, but it usually gets nowhere other than "a future update is coming".

If you're reading this, please send your support tickets to Dolby Access support and Netflix so they know it's not just a few people.

ralwig88

Hi

I'm glad I found this thread as I thought I was going crazy!

Bought an xbox one s to run netflix dolby atmos titles as my roku stick doesn't play atmos titles (another beef I have!)

I'm finding the same problems as the OP running through my denon x3600h.

Thanks

Njal the Blue

You can also download the Xbox Insider Hub (you don't have to join) and when an issue arises, long press the Xbox button on your controller, till the "what would you like to do" screen comes up, then select Report a problem. This gives you a chance to
write a report, that goes to the development team and it also grabs data, so they can investigate.

Dolby Atmos & Netflix broken on Xbox One (original console)