New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…

Original story (published on November 23, 2021) follows:

Recently, the Disney+ streaming service received an update that brought IMAX Enhanced to improve the audiovisual experience. However, it would have compatibility issues with some TV brands.

The latest update with IMAX Enhanced for Disney+ reportedly breaks valuable features like 4K streaming, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos on Sony’s Android TVs (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Disney+ IMAX Enhanced reportedly breaks 4K, HDR10, & Dolby Vision/Atmos features on Sony Android TVs

According to multiple reports, Sony Android TV users have lost 4K streaming, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos on previously supported Disney+ content, ‘thanks’ to IMAX Enhanced update.

Disney+ no longer showing Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos support for my Sony TV

Apparently people were having issues with this before and I only just got Dolby Atmos support for Disney+ in the past few weeks and now both Atmos and Dolby Vision. I think I heard they’re working to fix the problem but I haven’t heard anything official. So frustrating with the new IMAX Marvel films being released I could only get through half of them before they messed it up.

Anyone else having this problem? I’m using a Sony X91J.
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A workaround to mitigate the problem

While waiting for an official fix, there is a workaround that reportedly helps mitigate the problem. Basically, all the formats affected by the update continue to work smoothly while cast content.

That is, if you cast Disney+ content from a smartphone or tablet to a Sony Android TV, you can enjoy 4K, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

Work around suggested earlier works. I have a Samsung Galaxy S10 and I chromecasted from the Disney app to my Sony A8H TV. 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos on the Marvel movies. Noticed that IMAX enhanced shows up as Widescreen. Good workaround till it gets fixed

Update: Selecting IMAX Version to chromecast on Sony A8H TV works too with Dolby Vision and Atmos.
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Roku TV users would suffer from the same bug

Users of Sony Android TVs would not be the only ones affected by the problem. There are reports of Roku TVs users who report suffering from the same bug with Disney+.

Last weekend we watched Shang Chi and Luca, both in 4K Dolby Vision, and everything worked as it normally does.

A day or two ago our TVs auto-updated with a new version of Roku.

Tonight my daughter tried to watch the new Home Alone. We get the the spinning blue circle, then the Dolby Vision logo, then more of the spinning circle, and finally “Something went wrong” with an OK button. No Dolby Vision titles will stream, though their non-DV versions play just fine on our laptop & phones.
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Disney is allegedly aware and working on a fix

Disney would be aware of the problem, according to some reports. The company would already be working on an update that fixes the loss formats. But, there is no official public statement about it.

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If there is any new development in this regard in the coming days, we will update this article. So, stay tuned with us.

Update 1 (November 24)

IST 11:42 am: Thankfully, it looks like this issue has been addressed and from the responses, it seems like this issue surfaced from the Disney+ side.

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PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.

Jean Leon
1613 Posts

A tech enthusiast since ever. I like to always be up to date on the latest news in the industry and write about it. Twitter: @jean_ERdC

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