Many home theater enthusiasts are confused when their receiver shows "Multi-Ch In" or "LPCM" instead of "Dolby TrueHD" when using an Apple TV 4K. If you are trying to play high-bitrate rips via Plex or Infuse, here is exactly what is happening and how to get the best audio quality.
Quick answer: Can Apple TV passthrough TrueHD?
No. The Apple TV 4K operating system (tvOS) does not support bitstream passthrough for lossless codecs like Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio. Applications cannot bypass this limitation.
However, you can still hear lossless audio. Apps like Infuse and Plex decode the TrueHD track internally and send it as Multichannel LPCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulation).
- Quality: It is mathematically identical to the source. No audio data is lost.
- The Catch: You lose Dolby Atmos metadata if it is embedded in a TrueHD track. (Apple TV only supports Atmos via Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby MAT).
Best setups for lossless audio
1. Direct to Receiver (Best for LPCM)
Apple TV → Receiver → TV This is the most reliable chain for Multichannel LPCM.
- Why: Receivers handle 7.1 LPCM perfectly.
- Settings:
- Apple TV: Change Format: Off, Dolby Atmos: On.
- Receiver: Set to "Direct" or "Auto" (Screen will read "LPCM" or "Multi Ch In").
2. eARC Pass-through (Modern TVs)
Apple TV → TV (eARC Port) → Receiver Required if your receiver doesn't support 4K/120Hz or VRR video but your TV does.
- Why: eARC has the bandwidth for uncompressed 7.1 LPCM.
- Settings:
- TV: eARC Mode: On, Digital Output: Pass-through (or Auto).
- Warning: Some TVs struggle to pass 7.1 LPCM correctly, sometimes downmixing to 2.0. Test your specific TV model.
Troubleshooting Checklist
If you aren't getting surround sound or your receiver says "Stereo":
- Check the Source: Ensure the file actually has a 5.1 or 7.1 track and you selected it in Plex/Infuse.
- Disable "Auto" TV Sound: Force your TV to Pass-through. Many TVs default to "Auto" which may trigger a downmix.
- Cable Bandwidth: LPCM 7.1 requires high bandwidth. One weak cable can cause drops. Use a Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable (paid link).
FAQ
Does Infuse support TrueHD Atmos? Infuse will play the TrueHD audio losslessly as LPCM, but the Atmos metadata is discarded by the Apple TV media engine. You get 7.1 lossless, but no height channels.
What about DTS:X? Same rule. The core DTS-HD MA is decoded to LPCM 7.1. The spatial DTS:X metadata is lost.
Will Apple ever update this? Apple has never announced plans to support bitstream passthrough for disc-based formats (TrueHD/DTS-HD). They focus on streaming formats (DD+/Atmos).
Quick Fix Accessories
Need stable cables for 7.1 LPCM? Check our Quick Fix Accessories Hub.
- HDMI: Zeskit Maya 8K HDMI Cable (paid link)
- Organizer: Cable Labels & Ties (paid link)