In addition to removing the iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps from Apple TV, tvOS 26.4 also includes a new setting for “Continuous Audio Connection.”
Here’s how Apple describes the setting when enabled: “Apple TV uses a Dolby MAT connection for glitch-free playback across formats. Older receivers may indicate an Atmos connection, but original mixes will not be modified.”
It appears that Apple added this new setting, in part, to address complaints from Apple TV users who use Sonos speakers paired with AV receivers. Some users have indicated they hear popping noises or awkwardly low volume levels on certain channels, specifically with 5.1-channel content.
According to reports on the Sonos subreddit, enabling the new “Continuous Audio Connection” setting solves these problem.
“I can confirm that this function fixed my issues with 5.1 multichannel PCM content being way quieter than Atmos contents,” one user says. “My 5.1 content sounds just as great as Atmos now,” another user adds.
“The previous solution was to disable eARC and let the TV recode to Dolby Digital Plus, or force Dolby Digital in Apple TV. But this is no longer needed!,” one user writes.
In a separate thread, however, some Sonos users say this new setting leads to problems when playing stereo content.
So to recap, this new “Continuous Audio Connect” setting might fix some of the Sonos/Apple TV/receiver bugs, but it also might introduce new ones. tvOS 26.4 is currently available to developer and public beta users, so Apple will likely further refine this setting throughout the beta testing process.
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