This is a translation of a foreign article, so there may be mistranslations.
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When tvOS 26.4 rolls out to Apple TV this spring, the iTunes app will be removed from the home screen. The update also includes a new audio feature that fixes sound problems across devices.
The new 'Continuous Audio Connection' feature in tvOS 26.4 beta 1 does exactly what its name says: it keeps the audio connection active at all times.
In practice this means no abrupt audio format switching. Previously, a format switch could cause a popping noise from an AV receiver or soundbar, dropouts, audio cutting out after a film started or was paused, or uneven volume between audio formats. The spread of streaming, with its many different audio formats, made these problems more widespread.
Fixing the audio problems
With the new feature, all audio is sent as an uncompressed HDMI signal, and the signal stays active even when an audio source such as a film switches between stereo, 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos. The feature uses Dolby MAT, meaning LPCM without metadata, or LPCM with metadata for Atmos.
According to early reports from Sonos users on Reddit, the feature fixes the problem where 5.1 audio played noticeably quieter than Atmos.
The same fix should apply to AV receivers, and loud pops or clicks should disappear as well. Apple did note, however, that some older receivers may identify a Dolby MAT signal as Atmos even when the signal is not Atmos.
This is a quirk arising from how particular receivers display it (Sony models, for example, distinguish it correctly). Apple stressed that the audio is not being upconverted, but simply carried in a Dolby MAT container (similar to video carried in a 4K container). Users who run into problems with an AV receiver can disable the feature. Unexpected behaviour may occur with stereo signals, so further testing is needed.
If you are looping the HDMI audio signal through a TV, HDMI eARC is required. Check that eARC is enabled in the TV’s audio settings.
Removal of the iTunes app
Apple began phasing out iTunes for music in 2019 and for films in 2023. The goal was to move users to the Apple TV app, but the iTunes app remained on the Apple TV home screen and gradually lost functionality. From tvOS 26 it could be hidden through a menu setting, and in tvOS 26.4 it will be removed from Apple TV entirely.
Last week Apple emailed users who still had films saved in their iTunes Wish List.
Apple said: "Your iTunes Wish List for movies and shows will soon be going away and will no longer be accessible. We have attached links to the movies and shows in your Wish List to this email. To move your Wish List items to your Watchlist on Apple TV, follow a link and press the + button. The items will then appear in the Up Next row of the Home tab in the Apple TV app. No other action is required."
tvOS 26.4 is currently in beta and is due for general release this spring.
A new subtitle menu
tvOS 26.4 also adds new options to the subtitle menu. You will be able to adjust the size and style of subtitles during playback. You can also design your own style, setting subtitle size, colour, background and font yourself.
These adjustments can be made during playback via the small icon above the video playback bar, as shown in the image below. It works in every app that uses the standard tvOS video player, such as Netflix and the Apple TV app.
▶ Original source: https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1771401662
