When a Sony Bravia passes sound to a soundbar but no Dolby Atmos over eARC, the link is working — the format is being downgraded. (If there's no sound at all, that's a different failure covered in Sony TV no audio over eARC.) The usual Sony-specific causes: the digital audio set to PCM/Auto instead of passthrough, the wrong port, or an under-spec cable that falls back to ARC. Here's the fix.
Fix it
- Use the eARC port. On Sony Bravias, eARC is on a specific HDMI port (often HDMI 3, labeled eARC/ARC). Atmos needs eARC, not ARC — connect the soundbar's eARC output to the Bravia's eARC port.
- Set Digital Audio Out to passthrough. Settings > Display & Sound > Audio output > Digital audio out > Auto 1 / Passthrough (not PCM, which forces stereo and kills Atmos). Set Dolby Digital Plus / Dolby Atmos output where offered.
- Enable eARC. Display & Sound > Audio output > eARC mode = Auto (not Off), and turn on Bravia Sync (HDMI-CEC).
- Set the audio output to the soundbar (Audio system), not TV speakers.
- Use a certified Ultra High Speed cable on the eARC port — Atmos needs the bandwidth; a marginal cable silently drops to ARC/compressed. (ARC vs eARC and the cables you need explains why the cable tier matters here.)
Atmos from apps vs external sources
- Bravia's built-in apps (Netflix etc.): the app and your plan must offer Atmos. With Digital audio out on passthrough and eARC on, the TV sends the app's Atmos to the soundbar. (If the apps also won't push 4K HDR, see Sony Google TV apps: no Atmos or 4K HDR through a receiver.)
- External source (Apple TV, console, Blu-ray): if the Bravia won't pass its Atmos cleanly, connect the source straight into the soundbar/receiver so Atmos never depends on the TV's eARC.
Still no Atmos
- Confirm the soundbar shows "Atmos" during an Atmos title — "Dolby Audio"/stereo means you're still on ARC or PCM.
- Power-cycle the TV and soundbar (unplug 30+ seconds, soundbar first).
- Update firmware on the Bravia and soundbar — eARC/Atmos handshake bugs get patched.
FAQ
My Sony Bravia plays sound but no Atmos. You're on ARC or PCM. Use the eARC port, set Digital audio out to Passthrough (not PCM), enable eARC mode, and use a certified cable.
Which port is eARC on a Sony Bravia? A specific HDMI port labeled eARC/ARC (often HDMI 3). Connect the soundbar's eARC output there.
The setting is on PCM. PCM forces stereo and kills Atmos. Set Digital audio out to Auto/Passthrough.
Still no Atmos from an app. Confirm the app and plan include Atmos and the soundbar shows "Atmos." For external sources, connect them straight to the soundbar.