4k firestick, atmos receiver and a 1080p projector. (can I atmos at 1080p)

[chazzy2501]

I currently have a home cinema setup that is amazing! (brag) I've a benq 1070w (HDMI 1.3) which gives me an amazing 1080p 80" image that looks amazing. I also have a 7.1 Pioneer 4k Atmos Amp (HDMI2.2) a recent upgrade from my old Denon.

 

I have the gen2 firestick doing its 1080p thing but the video with Amazon and Netflix is stuck at 5mbps 1080p and DD+ audio. Does anyone know what'll happen if I upgrade to the 4k firestick? Will it access the 4k 20Mbps stream and play it at 1080p for my projector? will it only access the 1080p stream and thus not allow me to access the atmos audio?

 

 

4k projectors are still too expensive and I'm really happy with my projector. But I'd like the atmos sound. (which from my laptop sounds really meaty, bladerunner 2049 is great)

[atcoates]

I'd assume that as the firestick is passing 4k and atmos to the receiver that the audio would remain atmos but the image would auto downgrade to 1080p as it leaves the receiver, or possibly at the projector itself?

[chazzy2501]

I'm not sure if the projector could handle a 4k image (downscale or otherwise.) I'm not sure if HDMI 1.3 can handle it either. I'm thinking that the projectors capabilities will be passed on through the receiver to the firestick. What will the 4k firestick do, limit its self to 1080p streams? or down scale.

 

But I just can't find the info on what happens in this case because a 20Mbps 4k stream down scaled (locally) to 1080p will look and sound better that a native 1080p dd+ 5Mbps stream

[atcoates]

You can always order one and then just return it if it doesn't do what you want, might be the only way to find out as there are so many variables with setups.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201818950

[Arthur]

What will the 4k firestick do, limit its self to 1080p streams? or down scale.

With UHD Blu-rays everything in the signal path has to support HDCP 2.2 due to DRM otherwise the video will be downgraded to 1080p. I assume the same must be true with 4K streaming.

 

I think you can use a device like the HDFury Integral 2 or Vertex to get around this however.

 

www.avforums.com/review/hdfury-vertex-review.15094

 

HDFury describes the Vertex as a matrix splitter, which is very different from the more traditional splitters. The Vertex can simply take the signal from input A and send the exact same signal to output A and B. It can also take the signal from input B and send that to output A and B. However it is equally capable of sending two separate signals: so you can send input A to output A, and input B to output B; alternatively you can send input A to output B and input B to output A.

 

One of the common problems with HDMI, is where you have mixed resolutions and HDCP settings combined with an Ultra HD and a Full HD display. The EDID is used to tell the source what resolutions the displays support. If you mix and match you end up with the lowest common denominator, which will be Full HD. So if you do get a traditional Ultra HD splitter, you will be left with a Full HD signal. If the splitter allowed you to force the EDID, you could get an Ultra HD signal to the compatible display, but you would need to set the video output on Full HD in order for it to work on the lower resolution display.

Edited February 15, 2019 by Arthur

[Arthur]

See also: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2019/01/hdcp-is-ridiculously-annoying-drm-sucks-for-consumers

[chazzy2501]

Ah the HDCP 2.2 (which I was calling HDMI dur.) the projector wont support that but the amp would os fail on bluray.....well does the 4k stream on amazon and Netflix require HDCP 2.2... probably.

 

 

I have an xbox one s (I don't own any uhd blurays yet) that outputs in atmos but the issue is that it always outputs in atmos even on single channel b&w movies from the 40's so I can't tell if its just upsampling the dd+ stream to atmos... it lacks the meaty sound of atmos so I suspect so.

[Pottsey]

I currently have a home cinema setup that is amazing! (brag) I've a benq 1070w (HDMI 1.3) which gives me an amazing 1080p 80" image that looks amazing. I also have a 7.1 Pioneer 4k Atmos Amp (HDMI2.2) a recent upgrade from my old Denon.

 

I have the gen2 firestick doing its 1080p thing but the video with Amazon and Netflix is stuck at 5mbps 1080p and DD+ audio. Does anyone know what'll happen if I upgrade to the 4k firestick? Will it access the 4k 20Mbps stream and play it at 1080p for my projector? will it only access the 1080p stream and thus not allow me to access the atmos audio?

 

 

4k projectors are still too expensive and I'm really happy with my projector. But I'd like the atmos sound. (which from my laptop sounds really meaty, bladerunner 2049 is great)

 

That should work for Amazon but last time I looked Amazon only had 1 show with Atmos support. The setup will not work with Netflix, its not possible to get Atmos on Netflix via a Firestick at the moment.

Edited February 15, 2019 by Pottsey

[chazzy2501]

Hey, for anyone who reads this in the past or future I guess... My AMP was setup with only 5.1 speakers, this meant that it wouldn't show when it was getting an ATMOS signal.