More Atmos Configurations Available In macOS Ventura

[The Computer Audiophile]

I noticed additional speaker configurations available in Audio MIDI in macOS Ventura. I think 7.1.4 is plenty, but it's nice to know one can go to 9.1.6 if s/he wishes. 

 

 

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, DigiPete said:

@The Computer Audiophile Chris, did you get it to work on streaming anything "not apple"?
I understand that it works with Apple Music, but I can't get it to work with Tidal . . . 

Apple is the only service streaming Atmos to computers. All the others are super limited. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just now, DigiPete said:

I'm afraid that apple is just sitting on the Spatial / Atmos SW engine, and has only allowed it for their own streaming service and their own DAW (Logic Pro).
The new apple scilicon Macs are plenty capable (as proved by Apple Music), costs more than some Atmos/  Auro 3D capable AVRs, so I really hope they open the bag for other streaming services like Tidal and Netflix.

All I want for Christmas is . . . .

I've been trying to figure this one out. I believe Apple claims that the Dolby DD+JOC decoder is available to other apps in macOS, but I've never been able to get those apps to use it. I tried a podcast app that streams Atmos, but it didn't work.

[The Computer Audiophile]

8 minutes ago, mkt said:

The Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall streams in Dolby Atmos, and it works in safari on Mac. That is the only non-apple streaming content that I've seen play in atmos on a Mac. So technically possible, just not widely available.  

That's great to read. 

 

Do you know if the content is sent through the macOS Dolby DD+ decoder or if the content is just sent out via HDMI to a decoder?

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, mkt said:

Just Mac -> DAC -> active 5.1.2. No HDMI or AVR. It is a mystery why it works and none of other video streaming sites seems to. 🤷‍♂️

 

That’s fantastic!

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 hours ago, DigiPete said:

 

So far I only see 3 ways of getting Atmos decoded (in one form or another) by software on the Mac:

1) Apple Music streaming
2) Apple TV+ streaming
3) Logic Pro - the studio software

Logic Pro could be interesting, if they allow playing Atmos into headphones that are not from Apple.
My Sundara would love some immersive 
😍
I stride on to find ways to NOT be forced to buy an AVR . . . . 


@mkt - Nice to see another Genelc SAM user 😄



 

 

Oe of my worries is that Apple locks down access to the DD+ decoder to some apps only. If Qobuz launches Atmos, can its desktop app route through the decoder or will it be available on via iOS like Tidal and Amazon. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

12 minutes ago, DigiPete said:

Chris, I'm afraid that Apple has made its "Spacial audio" concept as a loop hole, avoiding to pay Dolby the licensing fee.
I assume the licensing fee is Dolby's main income stream.
So Spacial audio isn't actually Atmos, but just a competing container of the same type of content.

Dolby likely accept this loophole, as they depend on a lot of Atmos content creators running on Apple silicon.
This also means that the beautiful, efficient and fast Apple SOC will continue to be locked out of decoding actual Atmos streams.
Lawyers and conflicting commercial interest has us locked out at least for the foreseeable future.

/Speculative RANT END/


 

I don’t think so. It’s officially called Dolby Atmos with spatial audio by Apple. Spatial only engages with headphones. On a Mac, the Dolby logo is displayed when Atmos is played and the content is labeled Dolby Atmos. 
 

Even in iOS it’s labeled Dolby Atmos. I just took this screenshot. 
 

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, ShawnC said:

Greatest metal album of all time. Now that would get me into Dolby Atmos. 

Listening now on 12 speakers, in your honor :~)

 

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

On 1/14/2024 at 10:08 AM, mkt said:

Are you still seeing 5.1.4 in the Audio MIDI Setup list of speaker configurations? In Sonoma I only see 5.1.2 and 7.1.4 now.

Hi @mkt, for some reason macOS Ventura 13.5.1 removes the other options, and they haven't returned since. I know it's still possible to use the other configurations, but it depends on one software. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

On 1/26/2024 at 12:36 PM, 21davidkop said:

 

Hey, how did you get your sound interface to offer so many options? I have a 5.1.4 setup with my Apollo x16, but it only allows me to select two Atmos formats:

 

 

Thanks,

David

Hi David, Apple made a change to remove the other options for some reason. We need to keep asking them why and to restore the feature. 
 

I believe there’s a way to create / edit the necessary file(s) manually to restore these speaker configurations, but I haven’t attempted it myself.