Endpoint Device Testing for Streaming Services

  • May 1, 2024
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Endpoint Device Testing for Streaming Services
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thein1.492561612603434E12, 3/9/2026 11:19 PM
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Adeline Almanzar, 3/9/2026 11:19 PM
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1. About

This article provides guidance and non-binding recommendations to service providers who are interested in launching Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision experiences. Developing a detailed test plan that covers all relevant aspects remains at the discretion of the service provider. 

To help in designing a test plan for a service, this article includes the following materials:

2. Recommended device setups

Depending on the device type, it is important to verify that audio/video content is correctly represented when the device under test is a part of a larger setup. The presented setups include a combination of two or more of the following device types:

  • Source devices such as DMAs/set-top boxes 
  • TVs
  • Audio receivers, e.g. AVRs/sound bars

A list of recommended devices to use in these setups are included in the Recommended consumer hardware section.

TV (device under test) - external audio receiver (Soundbar/AVR)

TV Soundbar

The audio output behavior of TVs will vary depending on a couple of factors:

  • Audio output setting (for example, auto, PCM, pass-through, bitstream) 
  • Signaling handshake and capabilities of the downstream receiver
  • Capabilities of the audio implementation (for example, whether transcoding of Dolby Atmos content is supported)
  • Supported audio interfaces (for example, eARC or ARC)

DMA/set-top box (device under test) - TV - audio receiver 

DMA TV AVR
 Considerations:

  • The TV should modify its HDMI E-EDID depending on its own audio capabilities and those of the connected audio receiver. Changes in indicated capabilities might affect, for example, the available UI options in the service, and should be taken into consideration while testing.
    Tip: Use the Murideo Seven Generator or the Dolby HDMI tool to check how the device capabilities change. 
  • TVs that cannot render Dolby Atmos content on their own may still be able to receive and forward a Dolby Atmos bitstream to the connected receiver. 
  • For source devices that output Dolby Atmos content as Dolby MAT, the TV either needs to support transcoding of Dolby MAT bitstreams or enable Dolby MAT pass-through via eARC to the connected audio receiver (ARC is not sufficient due to low bandwidth). This is usually true for all TVs branded with Dolby Atmos. If eARC is not supported, the device will usually output Dolby Digital Plus via ARC. 
  • This topology can be prone to A/V sync issues due to multiple audio decodes and encodes. It is highly recommended that the HDMI source device outputs the audio no later than the video. 

DMA/set-top box (device under test) - audio receiver - TV 


DMA connected to TV connected to AVR

Considerations:

  • The audio receiver should modify its HDMI E-EDID and adopt the video capabilities from the connected TV. Changes in indicated capabilities might affect, for example, the available UI options in the service, and should be taken into consideration while testing.
    Tip: Use the Murideo Seven Generator or the Dolby HDMI tool to check how the device capabilities change. 
  • Not all AVRs/soundbars (especially older models) can pass-through HDR video.
  • AVRs/sound bars that can forward Dolby Vision content are available on the market. Products that are certified by Dolby for pass-through of Dolby Vision content are branded as Compatible with Dolby Vision.
  • This topology is recommended for improved A/V sync performance. 
  • Some newer sound bars (and also less expensive models) are ARC/eARC only devices, which disables this setup from being used.

DMA/set-top box (device under test) - TV 

Source device connected to TV

Considerations:

  • The source device needs to correctly interpret the E-EDID of the TV and the associated audio and video capabilities. 
  • Changes in indicated capabilities might affect, for example, the available UI options in the service, and should be taken into consideration while testing.
  • Tip: Use the Murideo Seven Generator or the Dolby HDMI tool to check how the device capabilities change. 

3. Recommended consumer hardware 

Note: The following list of consumer products may not be up to date or complete. It merely represents a subset of devices that has proven to be suitable for service testing purposes. Testing on additional products that are relevant in the market where the service is launching is strongly recommended. 

TVs

  • LG C9/LG CX: Supports Dolby Atmos rendering via built-in TV speakers, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos indication on screen, selectable ARC/eARC, pass-through vs transcoding etc.
  • Sony AF-9: Supports Dolby Atmos rendering via built-in TV speakers, includes eARC, very stable, no issues were observed in interoperability tests with any source and sink devices
  • Philips 55PUS7334/12: Dolby Atmos (in quick settings) and  Dolby Vision on-screen indication, multiple ARC ports available

DMAs/set-top boxes 

  • AppleTV 4K
  • Chromecast 
  • Amazon: 2018 Fire TV 4K Stick, 2019 Cube v2 
  • NVidia Shield TV

AVRs/sound bars (when testing a TV or set-top box/DMA)

  • Denon AVR-X3600H: up to 7.1.4-channel support, eARC support, Dolby Atmos indication on the screen
  • Sony HT-Z9F: Dolby Atmos indication, broad market footprint 
  • Sony HT-X8500: Low-cost option with Dolby Atmos support, eARC support, Dolby Atmos indication with diode

Mobile

  • iPhone 10 or later with iOS 14 and AirPods Pro
  • Samsung S9 or later with Android 10 (headphone playback)
  • OnePlus or later with Android 10 (headphone / on-device stereo speaker playback)

4. Test areas

The listed test areas include test scenarios may help create a test plan for a service. These test areas are applicable to various device types.  

Basic playback

  • Verify that starting, pausing, restarting, and stopping playback or seeking repeatedly do not cause any issues on device (also when a downstream receiver is connected). 
    For mobile devices, this may include switching back and forth between application and home screen. 
  • Verify that multichannel output is correctly mapped on the playback device.
  • Verify playback controls using voice assistants (if available). 
  • Verify DASH/HLS playback of Dolby Atmos and/or Dolby Vision content.
  • Verify that Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos content is delivered correctly to devices supporting it.
  • Test Tips: Play back test signals with a variety of Dolby audio formats and/or Dolby Vision on a standalone device and on a device connected as a part of a larger setup. The test signals linked in the Test signals section are suitable for playback testing.

UI indication 

  • Verify that Dolby Audio, Dolby Atmos and/or Dolby Vision are indicated on the device UI and/or in the application UI (if applicable).

A/V sync

  • Verify A/V sync on the display/built-in speakers.
  • Verify A/V sync in a setup that includes a connected audio receiver (an AVR or a sound bar).
  • Verify A/V sync on mobile devices.
  • Test tips: Use Murideo Seven Generator preloaded A/V sync patterns to stream over HDMI and measure the A/V Sync error.
  • Playback a stream directly from your service and measure the A/V sync error using SyncOne-2.
  • Verify that raw patterns are encoded correctly by the service.
  • Test tips: This scenario can be tested by transmitting a test signal over HDMI using a Unigraf UCD-323 or UCD-422 device and  requires additional software provided by Dolby. Contact Dolby for more information.

Format switching

  • If the app does not maintain a consistent output format (preferred), verify transitions between Dolby and non-Dolby content, especially when downstream receivers are connected (this can be problematic as gaps are commonly introduced in audio output). Make sure the connected receiver is in Dolby Atmos mode (the processing mode where Dolby Atmos experience is rendered) as per the owner's manual of the device. 
  • Verify the continuity of the output format when the input format changes (if applicable). This also applies to audio codec mode changes (for example, Dolby Digital Plus without Dolby Atmos vs Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos).
  • Verify if the device switches back to Dolby Atmos/Dolby Vision playback after non-Dolby content has been played.

HDMI ARC/eARC signaling and output format

  • Verify that the device under test adjusts its audio output format based on the capabilities of a connected non-Dolby Atmos receiver. Use Dolby Atmos and non-Dolby Atmos receivers.
  • Verify that the device under test correctly parses information from a connected Dolby Atmos receiver and makes it available to the application.
  • Test tips: Use the Murideo Seven Generator or the Dolby HDMI tool to check how the device capabilities change. Verify if the changes are reflected in the output and, for example, in the UI of the application.

Headphone vs non-headphone playback

  • If the device under test can connect to headphones, verify the correct representation of Dolby Atmos content for headphone and speaker playback.

5. Test equipment recommendations 

Testing of playback devices may require additional equipment or software. Some of the hardware listed can be used out of the box to perform the recommended tests, but some of the recommended test equipment/software requires access to additional Dolby licensed materials. Contact Dolby for more information.

Harkwood SyncOne-2

https://sync-one2.harkwood.co.uk/

An A/V sync measurement device that can be used out of the box, for example, for testing A/V sync on TV products.

Murideo Seven Generator

https://www.murideo.com/seven-g.html

An A/V testing device that includes preloaded Dolby audio test streams (including basic Dolby Atmos signals) and Dolby Vision signals. The supported features include:

  • Audio and video signal generation and transmission over HDMI/eARC/ARC
  • Verification of E-EDID, eARC CDS, and ARC CEC
  • A/V sync error and audio latency measurement

This device is certified by Dolby as an approved generator test device for Dolby audio.

Unigraf UCD-323 & UCD-422 (HDMI 2.1/8K)*

https://www.unigraf.fi/

An HDMI signal generator and analyzer that supports stream playback over HDMI and signal capture.
Testing described in this article requires additional software provided by Dolby that may be subject to additional licensing agreements. Contact Dolby for more information.
The Unigraf UCD-323 is a test device approved by Dolby.

Dolby HDMI Tool

Dolby provides a command-line tool that supports:

  • Playback of Dolby audio streams over HDMI
  • Audio latency measurement of a device connected over HDMI. 

This software requires a Windows PC/laptop with an HDMI output.
Using this tool requires access to additional Dolby deliverables that may be subject to additional licensing agreements.

6. Web browser testing

The following links help to provide additional information about the media capabilities of a web browser on a playback device and can be used for troubleshooting purposes. 

7. Test signals

Dolby provides streamable A/V signals designed primarily for A/V sync testing. However, these test signals may also be used for testing other areas, such as basic playback.

Note: If you hear a talking track when playing these streams, instead of the intended content, the device is playing back the default Stereo AAC track, instead of the Dolby Atmos track.

Note: Any test vectors referenced in this document may solely be used for testing purposes. 

MPEG-DASH

UHD 4K

Audio Format

Dolby Vision (profile 5)

HEVC (H.265) SDR

Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos

Dolby Digital Plus 5.1

AC-4 Immersive Stereo

AC-4 5.1

HD 1080

Audio Format

HEVC (H.265) SDR

AVC (H.264) SDR

Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos

Dolby Digital Plus 5.1-ch

AC-4 Immersive Stereo

AC-4 5.1-ch

HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)

UHD 4K

Audio Format

Dolby Vision (profile 5)

HEVC (H.265) SDR

Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos

Dolby Digital Plus 5.1-ch

AC-4 Immersive Stereo

AC-4 5.1-ch

HD 1080

Audio Format

HEVC (H.265) SDR

AVC (H.264) SDR

Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos

Dolby Digital Plus 5.1-ch

AC-4 Immersive Stereo

AC-4 5.1-ch

CMAF

UHD 4K

Audio Format

Dolby Vision (profile 5)

HEVC (H.265) SDR

Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

Dolby Digital Plus 5.1-ch

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

AC-4 Immersive Stereo

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

AC-4 5.1-ch

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

HD 1080

Audio Format

HEVC (H.265) SDR

AVC (H.264) SDR

Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

Dolby Digital Plus 5.1-ch

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

AC-4 Immersive Stereo

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

AC-4 5.1-ch

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

MPEG-DASH

HTTP Live Streaming

Dolby Atmos Music Sample Content

Dolby provides streamable Dolby Atmos Music content, intended to test basic playback, format selection, UI indication and format switching in an application that supports Dolby Atmos Music playback.

  • AC-4 Immersive Stereo content is for testing iOS and Android mobile apps that support Dolby Atmos Music.
  • Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos content is for testing apps that support Dolby Atmos Music and that run on Dolby Atmos-enabled TVs, DMAs and similarly-capable devices. 

Note: Any test vectors referenced in this document may solely be used for testing purposes. 

ISO BMFF (MP4)

Audio Format

Dolby Atmos Music content

AC-4 Immersive Stereo (256 kbit/s)

Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos (768 kbit/s)

MPEG-DASH

All MPDs linked to below conform to the MPEG-DASH On Demand Profile.

Note: If you hear a talking track when playing these streams, instead of the intended content, the device is playing back the default Stereo AAC track, instead of the Dolby Atmos track.

Audio Format

Dolby Atmos Music content

AC-4 Immersive Stereo (72, 112 and 256 kbit/s)

Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos (448 and 768 kbit/s)

AC-4 Immersive Stereo (72, 112 and 256 kbit/s)

Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos (448 and 768 kbit/s)

Dolby Digital Plus 5.1-ch (256 kbit/s)

MPEG-4 AAC stereo (256 kbit/s

 

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