This item fixed my Mi Box 5.1 audio problems

by Bodycount9

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074HHSJVN/

It was either buy this or buy a new receiver that can process HDMI audio. I went with this option.

I'm a Mi Box user with the TOSLink cable going to my receiver since my receiver is older and can't process audio through HDMI. When Oreo hit, Thanks to the "always" option in the sound settings, I suddenly had 5.1 audio for AC3 and DTS tracks work for me. It was great. Then when the most recent patch hit (the one from couple weeks ago), I lost all 5.1 digital audio thanks to Xiaomi removing the "always" option in the sound settings. The always option forced 5.1 audio passthrough regardless of handshake. So I was back to 2.0 stereo with everything (mainly plex) and had to turn PCM audio on to even get audio to work.

With that device I bought, now I'm back to having 5.1 audio on AC3 and DTS tracks in Plex and HDHomeRun channels. I have Dynamic Range Control set to "None", Sound output set to "Auto", and DTS set to 20%.

There are still some issues with this setup:

  • EAC3 audio doesn't work. It doesn't convert to dolby digital like it should. Since the TOSlink cable doesn't support EAC3, you hear nothing. Plex thinks you can process it so it doesn't convert it for you either.

  • The Amazon Prime sideloaded app (v4.7.17) no audio for 5.1 content. 2.0 stereo content still works though.

  • AAC 5.1 audio is missing the center and rear left/right channels. I just convert my stuff to AC3 using Xmedia Recode. AAC 2.0 still works though. I suspect Xiaomi knows about this and hopefully will fix it in a future update.

  • I don't have an active Netflix sub so I can't test that. I don't have Kodi either.

FezVrasta

For the mi box plus this price you would have bought a Shield 😅

koshergoy

You could have achieved status quo ante by finding and flashing build 2175 or 2179. Settings you need are present and working as intended in these builds

BiggussDikkuss

The only mainstream Dolby Audio Licensed devices that handle Dolby Audio properly are the Amazon Fire TV's and the Apple TV's.

Anything else and it's best of luck to you. I will be very surprised if Xiaomi or any of the Android TV sellers get this audio mess sorted out in a hurry.

Xiaomi with the Mi Box has had plenty of time in the market to get their Dolby shit sorted back in Marshmallow days and that never happened.

vnenov

Bodycount9 , I wrote to you before since I have exactly the same configuration.

A Mi Box 3 with the latest update, TOSlink cable to my old Sony receiver/home theater.

AC3 and DTS tracks work fine in Plex and Kodi. The Mi Box 3 Audio setting is on "PCM", which acts the same as force before.

The receiver indicates AC3 or DTS signal and I clearly hear the DTS audio presence.

It is very puzzling why it would not work for you. Sorry, that you had to buy an additional hardware to make it work.

harmanarneja

anyone able to get 5.1 out of AMAZON PRIME?