Dolby Atmos

[leegbr]

Hi New member here, I'll apologise if this has already been covered but I've had a look at couldn't see it.

 

I'm considering 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos for my PC, as I have in my main room for my TV and other stuff. My problem (I assume) is that the limitations of my AV receiver (Marantz SR7012) would limit my refresh rate to 60Hz, because its only capable of 4k@60hz via HDMI passthrough as its only HDMI 2.0 capable. I want to hook it up to my AV receiver whilst still being able to get the benefit of using my monitors (Samsung G9 ultrawide) full capabilities 5120x1440 @240hz. So I suppose what I'm saying is how do I get Dolby Atmos whilst still having a 240Hz refresh rate on my monitor.

 

One option is only using 7.1 by connecting the line outs on the back of the PC to the 7.1 phono in's on the AV receiver, configuring it in a 5.1.2 setup.

SPDIF/TOSLINK is no good as its only capable of 5.1 compressed and I'm trying to get maximum quality.

Is it possible to use another port on the 7900XTX to send audio only to the amplifier whilst still using the display port to send video to my Monitor? If so will this have any performance implications while gaming?

 

I have the following hardware.

 

PC 7900XTX 1 x HDMI 3 x DP, x670E Tomahawk(7.1 analogue outs, spdif optical)

Samsung G9 Odyssey 5120x1440@240hz ultrawide monitor

Marantz SR7012 AV Receiver. 

 

 

Any steering greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

[leegbr]

Further digging seems to suggest that the HDMI out to AV receiver, essentially running two monitors is the way forward. Don't suppose there's any benefits to using the boards HDMI out?

[johnt]

1 hour ago, leegbr said:

Any steering greatly appreciated.

I'm steering you away from surround sound on a PC. It is the biggest headache in the entire industry with very little benefits. The items you've mentioned are just the tip of the ice berg.

 

The issue you can never fix is software and compatibility. Most software "can" support it, but they don't on PC. Games could support Atmos, but most are sticking to 5.1 and the .1 (LFE) is losing ground. Browsers do not support surround sound formats, and if they do, streaming services do not support surround sound through browsers. This was a brutal realization for me. Streaming apps may support different surround sound codecs, including Atmos, but they don't or sometimes they do and eventually it gets taken away or it doesn't support all of the same versions you can with a fricking $25 streaming stick.

 

The only successful surround sound venture I've had on a functional PC is when I was using specific software designed for surround sound and testing material. I was always disappointed when I got to real content or games and it just didn't work as expected. I'm over it haha

[saintlouisbagels]

Can't you just use HDMI-out to AV receiver and use the remaining video outputs on your graphics card for your monitor(s) ?

[leegbr]

32 minutes ago, johnt said:

I'm steering you away from surround sound on a PC. It is the biggest headache in the entire industry with very little benefits. The items you've mentioned are just the tip of the ice berg.

 

The issue you can never fix is software and compatibility. Most software "can" support it, but they don't on PC. Games could support Atmos, but most are sticking to 5.1 and the .1 (LFE) is losing ground. Browsers do not support surround sound formats, and if they do, streaming services do not support surround sound through browsers. This was a brutal realization for me. Streaming apps may support different surround sound codecs, including Atmos, but they don't or sometimes they do and eventually it gets taken away or it doesn't support all of the same versions you can with a fricking $25 streaming stick.

 

The only successful surround sound venture I've had on a functional PC is when I was using specific software designed for surround sound and testing material. I was always disappointed when I got to real content or games and it just didn't work as expected. I'm over it haha

Yeah it does seem to be a more of an arse ache than you'd expect. I've just realised you cant even stream PC audio to the AV receiver without using a 3rd party app. I can Screencast, but not use my AV receiver as an output device for PC audio..... weird. I'm in no mad rush, I've got it connected to an echo studio and I've got some decent headphones. It's something that will be needed when I convert the garage, I guess I'll leave this minefield for another day.

 

I appreciate the input, all the best.

[leegbr]

2 minutes ago, saintlouisbagels said:

Can't you just use HDMI-out to AV receiver and use the remaining video outputs on your graphics card for your monitor(s) ?

That's possibly my best bet. I'll see if things move on between now and when its absolutely required.  

[Pawer8]

You can get Dolby Atmos out of your mobi digital out.

 

You have to do some messing around and download stuff. I can't remember exactly what as I did it long ago. But that may be your solution.

[leegbr]

Cheers, I’ll keep digging. 

[Blue4130]

4 hours ago, saintlouisbagels said:

Can't you just use HDMI-out to AV receiver and use the remaining video outputs on your graphics card for your monitor(s) ?

You can do this, but I've seen many people complain about "phantom" displays and loosing the mouse because of it. Not impossible to work around, but just an annoyance.

[saintlouisbagels]

2 hours ago, Blue4130 said:

You can do this, but I've seen many people complain about "phantom" displays and loosing the mouse because of it. Not impossible to work around, but just an annoyance.

On Windows 10 there's an option to "Disconnect This Display" in the same dropdown menu as the "Extend" and "Duplicate" options.
We do that at work to avoid the phantom display problem on one of our medical instruments during setup. I dunno if it's still a thing on Windows 11.