Shield Pro surround sound - Shield Android TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi all,
Having recently purchased a Shield Pro, I'm trying to get the surround sound working.
I have a couple of 5.1 format FLACs which I'm using for testing. The left, right and centre channel play fine, but the sub and surround channels don't. This seems particularly weird to me, as I'd expect to either have a plain old stereo mixdown, or fully working surround - but I'm definitely getting the centre channel in addition to the L+R front speakers, just not the others.
I've tried playing them through both Kodi and VLC, with exactly the same results. The receiver (a Denon AVR-1912) shows a Dolby Pro-Logic connection from the Shield, and works fine on all channels with other sources. I've tried tweaking the obvious settings on both the shield and the media player apps, but to no avail.
Can anyone help me out with an idea of what might be going wrong here, or what I could try out to troubleshoot it? Thanks.

Related

roku-like audiocast to phone / headphones

Hey all.
I found a rather dirty hack that seems to work better than Bluetooth audio for listening to private audio from the firetv.
Installing bubbleupnp works good on my phone for audio casting to xbmc, so I tried the same on the firetv in reverse.
I had the xposed installer already on the firetv for llama support, so all I needed was to install the bubbleupnp app and bubbleupnp module in xposed.
Experimenting, I played from xbmc to my bubbleupnp app on my phone and it worked. There was a little delay, but it was more constant than the delay that BT headphones have with the firetv. Adjusting the delay on the xbmc app, and I had my private audio. I hadn't tried with any of the other video apps on the firetv, but I'm thinking the delay will be there. At least I can use it for xbmc.
Just wanted to put that out there. Hopefully a better option for sending and listening to audio will come out soon.
t3ch42 said:
Hey all.
I found a rather dirty hack that seems to work better than Bluetooth audio for listening to private audio from the firetv.
Installing bubbleupnp works good on my phone for audio casting to xbmc, so I tried the same on the firetv in reverse.
I had the xposed installer already on the firetv for llama support, so all I needed was to install the bubbleupnp app and bubbleupnp module in xposed.
Experimenting, I played from xbmc to my bubbleupnp app on my phone and it worked. There was a little delay, but it was more constant than the delay that BT headphones have with the firetv. Adjusting the delay on the xbmc app, and I had my private audio. I hadn't tried with any of the other video apps on the firetv, but I'm thinking the delay will be there. At least I can use it for xbmc.
Just wanted to put that out there. Hopefully a better option for sending and listening to audio will come out soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so with what you did is, you basically had the audio stream of a video playing on your phone? I have already installed bubbleupnp on both my note 3 and the fire tv (xposed module on both devices too)but im clueless as to how to make this work. all i have managed is to cast audio(but only music and not video) from my phone to the fire tv, or initiate a video from the fire tv to start playing on my phone, making the fire tv a large remote and my phone the video player lol.
thing is I've never used bubbleupnp before so this whole casting thing is new to me. Maybe you are able to give more details as to what you did? what you set the renderer and library to on both your phone and the tv? Would gladly appreciate it as this is the last piece of the puzzle for me as to configuring the fire tv. would really like xbmc to play the video while my phone plays the audio!! thx!!
Exactly as you said it.
Set bubbleupnp to audiocast to my phone.
Listen on my phone.
Get frustrated because bubbleupnp won't ever change their design to be able to sync. Apparently, the delay is inevitable. Not sure why, as allshare seems to have it figured out.
I'm going to give up on this, as I've had no luck from this method. Will wait to see if a BT ad2p(?) Receiver Profile can be used with phones.
t3ch42 said:
Exactly as you said it.
Set bubbleupnp to audiocast to my phone.
Listen on my phone.
Get frustrated because bubbleupnp won't ever change their design to be able to sync. Apparently, the delay is inevitable. Not sure why, as allshare seems to have it figured out.
I'm going to give up on this, as I've had no luck from this method. Will wait to see if a BT ad2p(?) Receiver Profile can be used with phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know what im doing now? I play the movie using xbmc, but also start the movie playback on my phone using mx player.But mx player has the capability to only play the audio with the screen off, so thats what im doing now. Its easy enough to get the audio synced, and the batt drain isnt too bad, 16% for 130 minutes movie (DTS downmixing). a 40 minutes itunes web dl would consume about 4% if its on AC3, but i presume it would be very similar even if it was just AAC.
Until a more seamless method comes out, this is what im gonna be doing, as its easy enough, and no extra purchase required
ars_92 said:
You know what im doing now? I play the movie using xbmc, but also start the movie playback on my phone using mx player.But mx player has the capability to only play the audio with the screen off, so thats what im doing now. Its easy enough to get the audio synced, and the batt drain isnt too bad, 16% for 130 minutes movie (DTS downmixing). a 40 minutes itunes web dl would consume about 4% if its on AC3, but i presume it would be very similar even if it was just AAC.
Until a more seamless method comes out, this is what im gonna be doing, as its easy enough, and no extra purchase required
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol...
I've played around like that in the past. It does put more load on your network and hard drives though. Tolerable but unfortunate.
I'm giving BT another try. Picked up a car mp3 3.5mm out unit from amazon for $8.50 or so that I'll be able to sync up easily enough. i can plug my own headphones up and plug it into the USB chargers at my bed. I'll see how that works. Hopefully this will be an option.
How nice would it have been if they just gave the headphone out thru remote capability like the roku 3....sigh
Do update on how well your new plan goes. Thanks!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Any update or progress on development of using bluetooth headphones without sync issues?
When you guys described the worsening audio offset which cannot be corrected because it keeps getting worse over time, how long does it take to see it noticeably worsened?
The reason i am asking is I finally was able to install Settings.apk and paired my bluetooth headphones (Noontec Zoro wireless BT headphones).
When I played a movie in XBMC, I didn't think the audio offset was that bad. Better yet, I didn't notice that it worsened over time. I watched it for over 20 minutes and didn't notice any change. I did a manual offset of .4 sec to compensate and it seemed fine after 20 minutes or so. Will I notice it after more time?
The only thing on my config that might be different than others is that in XBMC 13.1 Gotham stable release, is that I have Hardware acceleration enabled but I unchecked both Mediacodec and libstagefright (it is the only way that I can watch xvid without stutter and doesn't seem to affect mp4 h264 movies). Maybe someone else can try this?
Also, movies I played on Plex shows the same...small lag but somewhat tolerable and it didn't seem to get worse over time, but I only did this for about 5 minutes.
superflysocal said:
Any update or progress on development of using bluetooth headphones without sync issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have had pretty good luck with xbmc 13.2 beta rc1.
Am using this BT adapter but only have a few issues now. This syncs up to the fire TV and the audio stays in sync with xbmc.
As I stated in my review, the channels are reversed. Not a real big deal as I can switch my headphones manually to the other ear. After checking my son's BT headphones too, I'm beginning to think all the Chinese imports have their audio connections backwards.
As I watch the show tonight, I can say that the BT alternative is working pretty good. I've had it set forward about 0.2sec ahead and it was quite tolerable. Seems to be getting better. Maybe next update will fix it.
Anybody else had any better luck?
t3ch42 said:
Have had pretty good luck with xbmc 13.2 beta rc1.
Am using this BT adapter but only have a few issues now. This syncs up to the fire TV and the audio stays in sync with xbmc.
As I stated in my review, the channels are reversed. Not a real big deal as I can switch my headphones manually to the other ear. After checking my son's BT headphones too, I'm beginning to think all the Chinese imports have their audio connections backwards.
As I watch the show tonight, I can say that the BT alternative is working pretty good. I've had it set forward about 0.2sec ahead and it was quite tolerable. Seems to be getting better. Maybe next update will fix it.
Anybody else had any better luck?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So where do you plug this into? The USB port of the AFTV? how do you pair it?
superflysocal said:
So where do you plug this into? The USB port of the AFTV? how do you pair it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a simple little BT receiver that allows a 1/8” headphone jack or jumper to plug into your car aux. It has a battery which lasts three or so hours with headphones plugged in.
To sync, turn on the switch and search with your phone, firetv or whatever you have with BT audio. It automatically connects. Simple. Cheap.
I actually use a pair cheapo 2.4ghz headphones I got as a gift. None audio sync issues I had using a bluetooth transmitter. I just plug it into either the headphone port on the bedroom tv or on the av receiver when I watch in the living room when I can't sleep.
these look nice
The JBL WR2.4 looks nice for under $50 at Amazon
goodhur said:
I actually use a pair cheapo 2.4ghz headphones I got as a gift. None audio sync issues I had using a bluetooth transmitter. I just plug it into either the headphone port on the bedroom tv or on the av receiver when I watch in the living room when I can't sleep.
these look nice
The JBL WR2.4 looks nice for under $50 at Amazon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most tv now a day doesn't have headphone jack.
Some of us don't have receiver in bedroom tv
superflysocal said:
Most tv now a day doesn't have headphone jack.
Some of us don't have receiver in bedroom tv
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bedroom TV has a headphone port the side and no av receiver. That tv is technically a computer monitor with hdmi and a tuner. So that may explain why it still has a headphone port. However, many larger TV's still have an audio out (line level, red and white RCA) that can be used with wireless headphones. There are also toslink to analog convertors or HDMI audio extractors that you can get for about $25. You could use one to achieve line level audio.
I have been researching TV's since the living room tv is old. My living room TV is ridiculous it is HD but it is a 50" plasma from 2004 and it was built before ASTC HD tuners were put in TV sets. The last owners left it because it was a pita to move, I can't imagine how much it would have cost in 2004.
The headphone I mentioned appears not to be a good choice in the line level audio output scenario.
t3ch42 said:
Its a simple little BT receiver that allows a 1/8” headphone jack or jumper to plug into your car aux. It has a battery which lasts three or so hours with headphones plugged in.
To sync, turn on the switch and search with your phone, firetv or whatever you have with BT audio. It automatically connects. Simple. Cheap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then I am not sure how this approach would be different than using bluetooth headphones other than you getting lucky with this particular unit compared to others. It is bascially a bluetooth headphone without the headphones.
It's great that it works for you though.
superflysocal said:
Then I am not sure how this approach would be different than using bluetooth headphones other than you getting lucky with this particular unit compared to others. It is bascially a bluetooth headphone without the headphones.
It's great that it works for you though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. They are no different. What I did notice is the audio did not seem too out of sync if at all with the newer version of xbmc.
Of course, it could just be a coincidence with a movie that had it audio set out of sync already...I don't know. I may have been more tolerant of the prep work in order to get it to work, pause the video, adjust delay forward, unpause and verify.
The point for me was that it was easy. The BT receiver could have been a more expensive one or cheaper. I don't think it matters too much right now as the BT audio is just an unintended positive side effect.
Amazon may enable a better fix soon or someone may mod a custom image with support if the bootloader opens. Its possible. Either way, I'm happy with the amazon TV. There a bunch more options and capabilities available on this xbmc box than any of the others I've had.

[Q] How to fix static sound when Netflix plays?

Hi there,
I recently bought my Asus Nexus player and set it up yesterday. Now when listening to all other programs the audio that comes out is perfect. No issue at all but with Netflix all I hear is a static sound. I have searched around for this issue and could not find it. I have uninstalled the app and reinstalled it, restarted the Nexus Player, Factory reset the device and also changed HDMI ports just to tru something and nothing has changed. Again all audio on other apps is great (Youtube, Plex, MNA Gametime etc) but with Netflix I can not hear anything but static sound.
Here is a video with the problem.
https://youtu.be/PV2cfhKwCRQ
Upgraded from bootloader unlocked 5.0 to 5.1.1 and encountered the same problem. Anyone has a fix?
While the video is playing, go into the video settings and change the audio from Dolby Digital 5.1+ to 2.0 Stereo, bug in new netflix has broken surround sound.

Surround Sound on YouTube

So I've never really noticed before until I was setting up my amp and speakers at a new place but my YouTube seems to be only doing stereo on the Shield. Netflix has the 5.1 working but I can't get surround to work in YouTube. I have hdmi out to the AVR and then hdmi to tv. The AVR is set to Direct, meaning that it will do whatever the signal is coming over the HDMI cable. It's saying that it's PCM. Checked settings but didn't find any specific output settings on the Shield or the YouTube app.
I was just wondering if this was normal. I don't REALLY need 5.1 in YouTube.
afaik youtube doesnt support surround sound... same thing on mine also.
pauliebb said:
afaik youtube doesnt support surround sound... same thing on mine also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
HOWEVER! I've read recently that youtube is about to start streaming in 360 and adding binaural sound support... so maybe something will come off of that and it'll lead to better sound support all around. (pun unintended.)
pauliebb said:
HOWEVER! I've read recently that youtube is about to start streaming in 360 and adding binaural sound support... so maybe something will come off of that and it'll lead to better sound support all around. (pun unintended.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be good. It sucks that running the 5.1 test videos on youtube just plays in stereo.

Surround sound headphones on shield?

Been looking for a way to have surround sound headphones, and was originally looking at some Sony's but either too expensive, or only support optical in... so started looking at some of the gaming headsets and wondered if the shield would work with them. I notice that most of these tend to be usb, so wondered if the shield could pass audio from plex to the headset.
I just want to watch movies from Plex and get surround sound through headphones.. simple enough!?
Surround sound headphones are just marketing. What you're actually looking for is an app that supports HRTF.
Did you ever find out about the surround sound headphone? I've bought 3 different 7.1 gaming headsets but I couldnt get the 7.1 to work via PLEX. Each headset had its own software for the laptop which worked that way so I think its a driver/android issue.

Shield TV 2017 - Random audio drop outs & Random Controller Issue

Greetings everyone.
For the past few months, I've noticed an annoying audio drop out issue which affects both plex & kodi. Whenever I play content, the audio randomly stops, seeing a light gray bar filling 1/4th of the screen, then a gray bar line just above the middle of the screen and then continues playing the audio again. Video keeps on playing without issues.
From what I can tell on:
- https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/245022/nvidia-shield-tv-audio-passthru-audio-drop-outs
- https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/997897/audio-randomly-drops-out-for-3-seconds
It appears to be a known issue with DTS-HD content?
I'm using the Nvidia Shield 2017 edition with no HDD. Up-to-date with v6.2 (24.32.406.417) connected with HDMI to my onkyo 5.1 receiver which is connected to my LG 4K TV.
Is there anyone here experiencing the same issue who can shed a light on this problem? Hopefully, with a solution? I bought the Shield TV as an investment, not to get issues like the one i mentioned above.
Above all, I also get random controller issues (the large controller). It appears to get randomly (but rarely) stuck on the down button. Disconnecting and reconnecting it appears to work, but doesn't solve the overal issue as it'll return eventually. Controller is also up-to-date with v1.15.
Solutions are welcome. And will ROM'ing the shield fix the issue? As most ROMS's these days are better than stock.
Regards,
Skyrider
Anyone?
I have started to have a similar issue with my Shield. It had been working fine for several months, and then recently started exhibiting audio drop outs, both very short and very long. Pausing and restarting play makes the audio return. I've experienced this only with streaming content like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, not with local content, so far. The issue is much less if I switch to 2-channel audio from 5.1. No noticable heat issue.
Same issue here, Netflix was a train wreck last night, bookmarking this to follow.
I'm having a similar issue. I have the shield connected to my Onkyo tx-rz920 receiver then to sony xbr65x850e. When I stream from either Netflix or Plex Media player (content stored using Plex Media Server on QNAP) I get random audio cuts. It last just long enough to miss a word or two mid-sentence. The time between the cuts seems to be random (sometimes seconds in between cuts, other times minutes). If I replay the same video a second time, audio will cut at different places. As far as I can tell the amp is still receiving signal, as the decoder lights remain lit. I do not have this issue with other devices connected through the Onkyo. Any suggestions or assistance would be much appreciated!
Hey all.
I have the same issue. Think it has to do with the audio passthrough. If I set surround sound to "never' it solves it.
Not really a fix since I just got a new sound system. But temporally makes things watchable.
Whatsupdudes said:
Hey all.
I have the same issue. Think it has to do with the audio passthrough. If I set surround sound to "never' it solves it.
Not really a fix since I just got a new sound system. But temporally makes things watchable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a bunch. This happened to my randomly on some Netflix shows and only one file in my Plex. I turned off surround, and now all is good. But still needs to be fixed
---------- Post added at 05:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:50 AM ----------
ikijibiki said:
I have started to have a similar issue with my Shield. It had been working fine for several months, and then recently started exhibiting audio drop outs, both very short and very long. Pausing and restarting play makes the audio return. I've experienced this only with streaming content like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, not with local content, so far. The issue is much less if I switch to 2-channel audio from 5.1. No noticable heat issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same thing with pausing on Netflix
For me the problem seems to have been the HDMI cable. I have a few different ones and decided to change the ARC cable (receiver <-> TV) and that seems to have fixed the issue.
I have had a long, ongoing support exchange with nVidia over this issue, which as it turns out is affecting all content I play on that device -- streaming (Netflix, Amazon Prime) and local content, including video and mp3 music files (via Kodi).
In my case, I'm connected 1:1 from the Shield to my Samsung Smart TV via HDMI, then audio goes via optical to a DAC and then to an old Sony stereo receiver. Audio works without issue when watching only the TV, including the Samsung native apps for Netflix and Amazon Prime. That would seem to eliminate any issue with the TV to Sony audio link.
I've also found that casting video or music content to the Shield from my Android phone with playback through the Samsung TV and Sony receiver does not exhibit any audio dropouts (which is very interesting, to me, as it would appear to eliminate the HDMI link as an issue). Additionally, audio playback to a bluetooth headset paired to the Shield results in no audio dropouts.
As of now, this is still an open issue with nVidia support, which has escalated it to engineering and Q&A. I recently pinged them again to update them with with the fact that the recent Android upgrade did not resolve this issue for me. The reply I got appears to be the first acknowledgement I've seen from nVidia that this is, in fact, a known issue for them. The reply I got had the statement that "SHIELD update 7.xx does not address this problem." How would they know that unless they know they have a problem and some idea of what it is?
FIXED!
nVidia issued version 7.0.2 of their Android TV software and it has fixed the audio dropout problem I was experiencing. Hopefully, this will also fix the problem for others.
ikijibiki said:
I have had a long, ongoing support exchange with nVidia over this issue, which as it turns out is affecting all content I play on that device -- streaming (Netflix, Amazon Prime) and local content, including video and mp3 music files (via Kodi).
In my case, I'm connected 1:1 from the Shield to my Samsung Smart TV via HDMI, then audio goes via optical to a DAC and then to an old Sony stereo receiver. Audio works without issue when watching only the TV, including the Samsung native apps for Netflix and Amazon Prime. That would seem to eliminate any issue with the TV to Sony audio link.
I've also found that casting video or music content to the Shield from my Android phone with playback through the Samsung TV and Sony receiver does not exhibit any audio dropouts (which is very interesting, to me, as it would appear to eliminate the HDMI link as an issue). Additionally, audio playback to a bluetooth headset paired to the Shield results in no audio dropouts.
As of now, this is still an open issue with nVidia support, which has escalated it to engineering and Q&A. I recently pinged them again to update them with with the fact that the recent Android upgrade did not resolve this issue for me. The reply I got appears to be the first acknowledgement I've seen from nVidia that this is, in fact, a known issue for them. The reply I got had the statement that "SHIELD update 7.xx does not address this problem." How would they know that unless they know they have a problem and some idea of what it is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was experiencing the same issue with periodic audio drops in anything I played whether it was Plex, YouTube or Netflix. I think I found a workaround. If you go into SHIELD settings, display and audio, then Advanced Settings. Check your setting for USB Audio, mine was set to something like High Quality, I changed it to Stereo, restarted the SHIELD and after a couple hours of watching I haven't heard a drop. I don't use USB Audio and connect direct via HDMI.
Edvard_Greig said:
I was experiencing the same issue with periodic audio drops in anything I played whether it was Plex, YouTube or Netflix. I think I found a workaround. If you go into SHIELD settings, display and audio, then Advanced Settings. Check your setting for USB Audio, mine was set to something like High Quality, I changed it to Stereo, restarted the SHIELD and after a couple hours of watching I haven't heard a drop. I don't use USB Audio and connect direct via HDMI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disclaimer I'm on the 2018 model but I haven't found any 2018 model specific threads to this issue. I have made claim over on the geforce forums as well.
I am running an Onkyo TX-NR656, Sony XBR75X900E, and the Shield console itself. So far it happens on Kodi, Nova Media player, Plex, and Youtube. The main apps I use. As reported audio cuts out just long enough to miss a word or two on occasion the screen will go black for a second or two and all feed to the receiver is showing off. Happens at intervals that aren't really regular, and will happen at different points if I were to restart the content. All other devices running through the receiver or straight to the TV do not have this issue. Limited only to the Shield.
I have replaced the HDMI cables with 3 different ones, the latest one I'm using is Twisted Veins HDMI cables. Same issue, one cable seemed to do it really bad, it was a standard HDMI that came with the TV.
I have changed ports on my receiver and plugged the shield directly into my TV. I have turned off and on CEC discovery on all my devices after replacing the cables.
I have switched from the recommended 59hz in Shield to 60hz and the problem seems to be more prevalent so I will switch it back to 59hz but the issue persists there as well.
I am going to check my audio USB settings when I go home and try that as well.
Anyone figure this out? I've been having problems with my shield and Denon x2200w with these same dropouts. I didn't realize it was the shield until I sent out the denon for repair and they found nothing.
bum2kev said:
Anyone figure this out? I've been having problems with my shield and Denon x2200w with these same dropouts. I didn't realize it was the shield until I sent out the denon for repair and they found nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you follow what I posted two posts above yours?
Edvard_Greig said:
Did you follow what I posted two posts above yours?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally missed that on mobile. trying this now! Thank you. Did yours drop out like it was ducking audio? Mine will just get very quiet randomly then kick back to regular volume.
I have this issue, ... on 7.2.3 firmware, ... I even replaced HDMI cable a while back which didnt do anything
for now I delay the effect by going to display settings and changing the resolution HZ (from 1080p 59hz and 1080p 60Hz) and so on... still sucks tho, because after a half hour or so, I have to do it again
I haven't tried the USB audio workaround yet, is that still working for everyone?
razor_ro said:
I have this issue, ... on 7.2.3 firmware, ... I even replaced HDMI cable a while back which didnt do anything
for now I delay the effect by going to display settings and changing the resolution HZ (from 1080p 59hz and 1080p 60Hz) and so on... still sucks tho, because after a half hour or so, I have to do it again
I haven't tried the USB audio workaround yet, is that still working for everyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update: changing USB audio did not work, argh!
UPDATE: I think I fixed the issue!
I was able to make the screen and audio stop cutting out last night watching the Warriors/Raps game ... around 2nd quarter I literally had enough, as it was literally "cutting out" every 10 mins and the one that got me pissed was about 60 seconds long, and so I literally walked over to the shield tv tried unplugging it (actually was close to throwing it in the garbage) when I noticed upon moving it it triggered another "cut out"...
I then rearranged all the HDMI cables from my receiver, unplugged an unused one that was in the receiver and ensured the other ones left were not touching each other, as I heard static could be an issue... in the end, I only left the cables that were actually needed plugged in and watched the rest of the game without 1 cut out ... I was amazed that's all it was
I am going to try to watch a HD movie from my media server via KODI and another from NETFLIX this week and see if any cut outs continue but I think I made some real progress!
Keep you all posted!
I have not had a screen or audio black out since my fix above! Finally!
Shield TV pro 2019 is one of the worst products I’ve ever had the displeasure of purchasing.
Netflix audio drop outs and also whilst watching live “soccer” games frame rate goes all jittery randomly. Never have this problem with Roku.

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