Netflix 4k HDR is disabled on Sony TVs when using bluetooth headphones, works with the Shield

by diabetic_debate

Kind of a PSA. So yesterday I found out that using Bluetooth headphones disables 4k/HDR on Netflix when using the TV's builtin Android TV app.

Thankfully, I still have my shield and 4k works fine on the shield when the headphones are connected to the TV and audio is routed to the TV from the shield.

TV is the x950G running Android TV Headphones are the Sony WH1000XM2

Connections:

Shield to HDMI port #2 of the TV Headphones are connected to the TV ARC port on the TV to the Soundbar

thebaldconvict

You might find it is because of the sound format of Netflix and the TV not being able to downmix the format to stereo and send over bluetooth for the headphones.

Some TV's can't even downmix it to 5.1 for sound bars.

I had a Philips 4k TV for a few days before it went back and I got the Sony as a replacement (and a lot more money), one of the reasons was I could watch either 1080p Netflix with 5.1 sound or 4k netflix in Stereo.

hpsims

Have you ever found a workaround for this?