Having a Dolby Atmos compatible TV or soundbar is not enough to enjoy this superior sound quality. You also need a decoder that supports it! You are considering buying a Roku Ultra, but you want to make sure it can decode Dolby Atmos to produce the best sound experience possible.
Newer versions of the Roku Ultra do support Dolby Atmos audio, giving you the best possible sound to watch movies, listen to music, or play video games with. While connected to a compatible TV or soundbar, this technology lets you experience superior-quality audio.
Below, we will take a look at what models of Roku Ultra are compatible with this sound technology, as well as everything you will need to create your setup. Keep reading to learn more about getting a theater-like audio experience from the comfort of your home!
Does Roku Ultra Support Dolby Atmos?
Hearing helicopters fly over your head or feeling like you’re in the middle of a concert as you watch TV from your living room are just a couple of the things Dolby Atmos offers. Most streaming media players now provide 4K UHD video streaming, but having the latest surround sound technology in the market is a bit more exclusive.
To enjoy the Dolby Atmos sound technology with a media player that supports it, like the Roku Ultra, you will also need one or more of the following compatible devices:
- A televisionA sound system
Previous versions of the Roku Ultra did not fit Dolby Atmos’ requirements. Luckily, however, the newest models do fit this bill.
Which Roku Ultra Models Support Dolby Atmos?
While older versions of Roku Ultra are not compatible with Dolby Atmos, Roku Ultra 2020 and newer models are able to decode this sound format. However, this is not the only device you will need to produce Dolby Atmos sound. The speakers you connect your Roku Ultra to also need this capability, whether these are on your television or an external sound system.
What Else Do You Need to Reproduce Dolby Atmos Sound?
Now that we know that Roku Ultra models starting in 2020 and above can support Dolby Atmos, it’s time to learn what else you need to complete your setup. If your TV or sound system cannot play this format, it will not matter whether or not the media player can decode it.
Most newer high-end smart TVs come with Dolby Atmos support, but you should always check the specifications in your user manual. Even if you have a high-end TV that’s only a few years old, it’s quite possible that it lacks this feature.
It is worth noting that, even if your TV claims to have Dolby Atmos compatibility, the sound experience you get will not be the same as what you would get with a full sound system. Many sound bars also have the ability to decode this sound format, but again, read the specifications before buying one to plug into your Roku Ultra.
To get the closest possible thing to an in-home theater experience, we recommend connecting your Roku Ultra with a sound system composed of various speakers distributed throughout the room. This way, you will experience the true 3D experience that Dolby Atmos was designed for.
Can You Connect the Roku Ultra to a Dolby Speaker Through Your TV?
You might have a speaker that is compatible with Dolby Atmos, and a TV that is not compatible with the technology. The question now is, can you still use the surrounding sound technology?
You should not have any issues connecting a Roku Ultra to a Dolby Speaker through your TV. A soundbar connects to the television via an HDMI cord, so the first thing you need to verify is that the soundbar has two HDMI ports. One will go to the soundbar, and the other will go to the Roku Ultra.
If your soundbar only has one HDMI port, you will need to verify whether your TV can transmit the Dolby Atmos format from the Roku Ultra. To check this, look at the HDMI port and see if it says “eARC” next to it. If that is the case, you will be able to connect the Roku Ultra to the TV using that port to transmit audio.
Conclusion
Since 2020, all versions of the Roku Ultra streaming media player have supported Dolby Atmos sound technology. However, having this media player does not guarantee that you will be able to listen to 3D surround sound. If you want to play the sound through your TV, you will need to verify that your television also supports Dolby Atmos.
Soundbars may be a better option than TV speakers. However, the real theater experience that Dolby Atmos was designed for can be best achieved through a sound system strategically placed throughout the room.