Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are 3D sound formats with height effects. The Vertex passes them over HDMI, not via optical.
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are sound formats that make sound come from all around you, and also from above.
Normal surround sound is like people standing in a circle around you. Atmos and DTS:X can also place a sound above your head, like a helicopter flying over.
Does the HDfury Vertex pass Dolby Atmos and DTS:X?
YESYes, over HDMI. The Vertex passes Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, DD+, DTS:X and DTS-HD MA unchanged. The optical output gives only stereo or 5.1, so connect your AVR to an HDMI output (TOP is suggested).
How to use it with the Vertex:
- Connect the AVR to an HDMI output, usually TOP (p.5, p.42).
- Give the player a full-audio EDID: an 'All Sound' table, or Automix 7.1 Full or TOP MAX (p.15, p.28).
- Set the player to bitstream and check AUD0/AUD1 in the GUI or #get audiochtop (p.27, p.48).
- Atmos from TV apps via ARC: only with ARC ALLOW DD+/ATMOS and an AVR that takes 192kHz optical (p.39).
What it is
Older surround formats send sound to fixed channels, such as 5.1 (five speakers plus a subwoofer). Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are object-based: besides channels, the mix can contain sound 'objects' with a position in 3D space. The receiver works out which of your speakers should play each object. Speaker layouts with height speakers are written like 5.1.2 or 7.1.4; the last number is the height speakers.
At home, Atmos on Blu-ray usually rides on Dolby TrueHD, and on streaming services on Dolby Digital Plus (DD+). DTS:X is usually an extension of DTS-HD Master Audio. These formats need an HDMI connection (or eARC) and a receiver or soundbar that can decode them. The player should send them as bitstream, so the receiver does the decoding.
A normal optical S/PDIF cable cannot carry lossless Atmos (TrueHD) or DTS:X. If the receiver cannot decode them, it still plays the normal 5.1 or 7.1 part of the soundtrack.
On the Vertex
The Vertex passes every sound format, including Atmos and DD+, over HDMI (p.108). The manual lists Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, DD+, DTS:X and Dolby Atmos as supported (p.111). Lossless audio goes out over HDMI only, and the Vertex does not compress or downconvert it (p.104). So connect your AVR to an HDMI output of the Vertex; the manual suggests the TOP output when you use an AVR (p.42).
The optical output only gives stereo or 5.1 (p.104). It does not carry TrueHD Atmos or DTS:X. One special case: with ARC set up, 'ARC ALLOW DD+/ATMOS' can send DD+ and Atmos from the TV's own apps to an AVR through the optical output, but only if that AVR accepts 192 kHz audio over optical, which very few do (p.39). Atmos via ARC also needs an HDMI cable that handles 192 kHz ARC (p.113).
The audio your source sends depends on the EDID it reads. Use a custom EDID with 'All Sound', or the Automix 7.1 Full / Native audio flags, so the player knows it may send Atmos or DTS:X (p.15, p.28).
Common questions
Can I get Atmos through the Vertex optical output?
Not from a Blu-ray. Optical gives stereo or 5.1 only (p.104). The only exception is DD+/Atmos from TV apps via ARC, and only to an AVR that accepts 192 kHz over optical (p.39).
Does the Vertex strip Atmos or DTS:X from the HDMI signal?
No. Lossless audio passes through HDMI without being compressed or downconverted (p.104).
My player only sends 5.1 PCM through the Vertex. Why?
The player reads the EDID. If that EDID lists only stereo or 5.1, the player limits the sound. Pick an EDID with full audio (p.15, p.28).
- https://professional.dolby.com/en-in/tv/home/dolby-atmos-for-the-home/
- https://www.sony.ie/electronics/support/articles/00155680
- manual p.39
- manual p.104
- manual p.108
- manual p.111