Since the audio we hear consists of analog waveforms, not ones and zeroes, the first step in the process of creating a Dolby Digital audio track is to convert the original analog signal into digital information. Encoding and decodingĭolby Digital operates in a world of ones and zeroes - digital information. This expands the creative palette for artists, and allows those of us in the audience to experience greater realism and excitement.
With Dolby Digital, it's possible to include a full 5.1-channel audio mix on a film print or a DVD, or as part of a TV broadcast. The smaller the file, the easier it is to distribute.
If however it shows "Auto (DD.)" then most apps/content (incuding NF/D+/Prime) will be output in 2.0 (aside from say the Roku Channel.which supports DD) since most streaming platforms now use DD+.Įven assuming the case of D+ and Prime giving you 5.1 but NF only 2.0 from your SS+, it still wouldn't be an issue with the Roku - but rather with NF's Roku app.At its core, Dolby Digital technology represents a very efficient way for movie studios, television networks, and other content providers to compress the size of multichannel audio files without impairing the sound quality.
If it shows "Auto (DD+.)" then you'll get 5.1 output on any app/content that supports it. Check Settings/Audio/Audio Mode - by default it should be "Auto (with the detected modes listed here)". If NF doesnt show a "5.1" tag on any content, that means the Roku isn't configured for DD+ output. You should also know DD+ decoding/converting support in TVs varies widely in its implementation over the years and within brands, and there may be additional configuration necessary for the optimal/desired output via ARC/Optical. Then either your TV is doing some form of DD+5.1 decoding/converting to DD5.1 via optical, or, your soundbar is applying surround upmixing (2.0 to 5.1/etc) to the 2.0 signal via optical from the TV.
If all Roku models included a DD+ decoder/encoder this issue would be pretty moot, since the Roku would just convert DD+ to DD for output when configured for/connected to a DD-only watching Disney Plus with surround sound using my Streaming Stick Plus right this moment. Its not so much a design flaw as a design limitation - Roku's (aside from the 4640) support passthrough (of supported codecs, with some exceptions), not conversion/encoding/transcoding. This is why you get NF w/5.1 with the FS4K and not with the SS+ (the FS4K is converting the NF DD+5.1 into DD5.1).Īs far as getting 5.1 from Prime and D+ with your SS+, you are probably mistaken (unless your HiSense has a somewhat broken/limited DD+ decoder/encoder HDMI/optical implementation) - they - like NF - use DD+ and only output PCM 2.0 when your SS+ is connected to a DD5.1 (not DD+5.1) capable device. The FS4K has a DD+ decoder/encoder (converts the DD+5.1 to DD5.1 for output) - the SS+ does not (the only Roku model that does is the Ultra 4640, as atc mentioned).
All other equipment being the same.Īlso, 5.1 surround works on the Roku for other streaming services like Amazon Prime and Disney Plus. Then the 5.1 surround from Netflix goes away when switching to the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. I get 5.1 surround from Netlix using an Amazon Fire Stick from the Hisense TV output connected to a Vizio 5.1 sound bar via optical cable.