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The onn 4K Pro can send surround sound formats from streaming apps to a compatible TV, soundbar, or AV receiver. Correct onn 4K Pro audio passthrough settings depend on how your devices are connected and which formats your sound system supports. This guide explains the available options, recommended connections, and solutions for common audio problems.
What onn 4K Pro Audio Passthrough Does
Audio passthrough means the onn 4K Pro sends a digital audio signal to another device instead of converting everything to basic two-channel PCM stereo. Your soundbar or AV receiver then decodes formats such as Dolby Digital or Dolby Digital Plus.
This matters for surround sound and Dolby Atmos. When passthrough is working correctly, your receiver or soundbar should display an audio format such as:
- Dolby Digital
- Dolby Digital Plus
- Dolby Atmos
- PCM
- Stereo
The exact format depends on the streaming service, title, subscription plan, HDMI connection, and capabilities of the receiving device. A movie advertised with Atmos will not necessarily output Atmos if the app, TV, soundbar, or connection does not support it.
The onn 4K Pro does not create surround sound from stereo content. It only passes through or outputs the audio made available by the app and video service.
Recommended onn 4K Pro Audio Passthrough Settings
On the onn 4K Pro, open Settings, choose Display & Sound, and look for the audio or digital audio format controls. Menu names can change slightly after firmware updates.
You will typically see options similar to these:
- Auto: The device chooses a format based on the connected TV, soundbar, or receiver. This is the best starting point for most setups.
- PCM: Converts audio to uncompressed stereo. Use this when your TV or sound system does not support Dolby formats, or when you hear silence or compatibility problems.
- Dolby Digital: Forces a widely supported compressed surround format. This is useful with older soundbars and AV receivers.
- Dolby Digital Plus: Sends a newer Dolby format used by many streaming services. It can carry Dolby Atmos in supported content and equipment.
Start with Auto, then play a title known to contain surround sound. Check the soundbar or receiver’s information display. If it reports Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby Atmos, passthrough is functioning.
Avoid forcing Dolby Digital Plus if your television or audio device only supports PCM or standard Dolby Digital. Forcing an unsupported format can result in no audio.
Best HDMI Connections for Surround Sound
There are two practical ways to connect the onn 4K Pro.
Option one: Connect directly to a soundbar or AV receiver. Plug the onn 4K Pro into an HDMI input on the receiver or a compatible soundbar, then connect that device’s HDMI output to the TV. This is often the most reliable method because the audio system receives the signal directly.
Option two: Connect to the TV first. Plug the onn 4K Pro into the TV, then connect the TV’s HDMI ARC or eARC port to the soundbar or receiver. This setup is convenient, but the television must pass the audio format through correctly.
Use the TV’s HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC when routing audio through the television. Standard HDMI-ARC can handle many streaming formats, including Dolby Digital Plus on compatible equipment. eARC offers greater bandwidth and is preferable for advanced audio systems, although the onn 4K Pro is primarily used with compressed streaming audio rather than Blu-ray-quality lossless soundtracks.
If your soundbar has HDMI input, direct connection is usually better than using optical audio. Optical cables cannot carry every modern surround format and generally cannot carry Dolby Atmos in the same way as HDMI.
Troubleshooting onn 4K Pro Audio Passthrough
If you get stereo instead of surround sound, check the title’s audio options first. Some apps default to stereo, and some content does not include a surround track. Open the app’s language or audio menu and select the Dolby or 5.1 option when available.
If you hear no audio after choosing Dolby Digital Plus, change the onn 4K Pro setting to Auto. If that fails, try Dolby Digital. Also confirm that the TV, receiver, and soundbar support the selected format.
A TV can sometimes report only its own audio capability to the streaming box. If the onn 4K Pro is connected to a television that supports stereo only, it may avoid sending surround audio even when a soundbar is connected through an unsuitable port.
For intermittent sound, try these steps:
- Restart the onn 4K Pro, TV, and sound system.
- Disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cables.
- Test another HDMI input.
- Enable HDMI-CEC on connected devices if you want automatic input and power control.
- Install available system and app updates.
- Test with Auto, then Dolby Digital.
Use certified, undamaged HDMI cables. A cable problem can cause audio dropouts, although audio format settings are more commonly responsible for silent output.
Does the onn 4K Pro Support Dolby Atmos?
The onn 4K Pro can support Dolby Atmos from compatible streaming apps and content, but Atmos is not guaranteed in every setup. You need an Atmos-capable soundbar or AV receiver, compatible speakers, a suitable HDMI connection, and a service plan and title that include Atmos.
Atmos from streaming services is commonly delivered through Dolby Digital Plus. It is different from the lossless Dolby TrueHD Atmos tracks found on some Blu-ray discs. The onn 4K Pro is designed primarily for streaming, so expectations should match the source material.
If your soundbar displays “Dolby Atmos,” the full signal is reaching it. If it displays “Dolby Digital Plus,” the system may still be receiving a compatible Dolby stream, but the specific content or equipment may not be providing Atmos.
FAQ: onn 4K Pro Audio Passthrough
Does the onn 4K Pro pass through 5.1 surround sound?
Yes, it can output supported Dolby surround formats when the app, content, HDMI connection, and receiving device support them. Set Digital audio format to Auto first.
Why does my onn 4K Pro only output stereo?
The TV or audio device may report stereo capability, the content may lack surround audio, or the setting may be forced to PCM. Check the app’s audio track, HDMI-ARC connection, and digital audio format setting.
Can the onn 4K Pro pass Dolby Atmos to a soundbar?
Yes, compatible streaming content can reach an Atmos soundbar, usually through Dolby Digital Plus. Connect directly to the soundbar or use a TV with reliable ARC/eARC passthrough.
Conclusion
Proper onn 4K Pro audio passthrough usually requires setting digital audio to Auto, using HDMI, and ensuring every device supports the desired format. For the most dependable surround sound, connect the box directly to an HDMI-equipped soundbar or receiver and verify the format shown on its display.
