Hardware setup: Windows 11 with Dolby Access/Dolby Atmos for Home Theatre installed via Windows app store. Samsung Odyssey G80SD connected to Nvidia RTX4080 Super GPU via HDMI Port 2 Samsung S60B soundbar connected to G80SD via ARC on HDMI Port 1
Situation: When computer powers up, Monitor wakes from sleep/standby and correctly identifies S60B soundbar and displays 'Atmos Capable Device connected' on UI. Monitor switches to Game Mode, enables VRR and switches refresh rate to 240Hz as per Windows/GPU settings. Samsung G80SD/HDMI set as audio device in Windows. Audio outputs from Soundbar as expected, but Dolby Atmos for Home Theatre does not appear in Windows Spatial Sound options.
Observations: When Game Mode is disabled on G80SD, screen refreshes and Dolby Atmos for Home Theatre becomes available via Windows Spatial Sound options.
Steps taken to try and resolve issue: Reduced refresh rate to 120/60Hz - No Dolby Atmos Spatial Sound option during Game Mode. Disabled VRR - No Dolby Atmos Spatial Sound option during Game Mode. Fresh Windows installation - No Dolby Atmos Spatial Sound option during Game Mode.
Conclusion: As far as I can tell, the Odyssey G80SD seems to be the culprit. During testing, I am able to successfully and reliably activate Dolby Atmos for Home Theatre via Windows outside of Game Mode. As soon as Game Mode is turned on via G80SD, Dolby Atmos for Home Theatre becomes unavailable My initial thought was that perhaps Display Stream Compression at 240Hz was preventing Dolby bitstream over HDMI, but the issue persists at lower refresh rates. Instead it seems that the monitor is doing something specific during Game Mode that prevents the device identifying as Atmos capable in Windows.
Is this a known issue, and are there any workarounds? Disabling Game Mode is not an acceptable solution as there is no 240Hz/VRR support outside of Game Mode on the G80SD.
• HDMI-eARC Mode Try Now You can connect an audio device that supports eARC via HDMI-eARC. Muting occurs temporarily during device connection. This function may not be supported depending on the model.
• Digital Output Audio Format Try Now Select a digital audio output format. If you select Auto, the audio output mode automatically changes to the mode supported by the connected soundbar or A/V receiver. If you select the Pass-Through option, audio data is output with no processing. This function is available when the input source is HDMI and the receiver is connected via HDMI-ARC. This function may not be supported depending on the model or geographical area.
Did you try using optical or a separate HDMI cable from the PC?
