Apple TV Atmos with old 7.1 receiver? (1 Viewer)

[Andrew Vickers]

Since Apple TV decodes and then sends LPCM how does Atmos actually work? Right now I have my Apple TV hooked up to an old Onkyo 7.1 receiver. I can see that it is sending 7.1 multichannel PCM for supported music and movies. Since my Onkyo receiver's other 2 channels/speakers are considered "surround back" speakers, is the height channel in an Atmos supported tracks being sent to these speakers?

 

[JohnRice]

Atmos is based on a traditional 7.1 core with additional steering info provided for overhead (not just height) channels. Your receiver can't use the steering info that Atmos provides. So, it is just using the 7.1 channels it receives. Front three, with side and rear surround pairs. No overhead audio is produced unless you have an Atmos capable processor and overhead speakers to send that audio to.