Multichannel tracks render TV devices unable to play stereo tracks

Version

Media3 main branch

More version details

First of all, I don't know what version to choose so I selected "Media3 main branch".

Second, I am not a developer so I am unable to build the demo app.

Third, the following issue is a widespread issue.

I discovered the issue on Jellyfin by the end of last year but I though it was an issue exclusive to that app, however, I was able to find it out on other apps.

When I play a multichannel audio track (usually FLAC) with 5.1 or 7.1 channels from ANY Android for TV device connected to a multichannel AV receiver, the apps I tested play it correctly, no issue here.

The problem lies when I attempt to play an stereo track after I played a multichannel track, where the device is unable to output sound while the song is playing and the issue affects any app installed on the device, for example, audio is not output from YouTube anymore.

If I play again the multichannel track, sound outputs with no issue.

The issue can be “fixed” depending on the device:

On devices with a passthrough audio option (such as the Homatics Box R 4K Plus), I have to reboot the device to fix it.

On devices where the Dolby MS12 software stack is permanent (such as the Google TV Streamer), the issue doesn't happen apparently or it could be random.

Let me know if a log file from the app I tested could be useful for you as I can't build the demo app.

Devices that reproduce the issue

Any Android for TV device with a passthrough audio option but I'm can't confirm if versions older than Android 14 are affected.

Devices that do not reproduce the issue

Android for TV devices where the Dolby MS12 software stack is permanent.

Reproducible in the demo app?

Not tested

Reproduction steps

1. Open the music player app, for example Symfonium which is available for TV.
2. Play an stereo track first, it will play with no issues.
3. Play a multichannel track, it will play with no issues.
4. Play again an stereo track, the app will play the track but no audio is output.
5. To fix the issue, I have to reboot the device otherwise I won't be able to play any stereo track from other apps such as YouTube.

Expected result

Any app that uses Exoplayer should switch seamlessly from the stereo track to the multichannel track and viceversa without audio issues, this was working correctly before but I ignore on what version of Exoplayer the issue started to happen.

Actual result

As explained above, there is no audio output when I attempt to play an stereo track after playing a multichannel track on all apps affected.

Media

You can use this sample.

Bug Report

• You will email the zip file produced by adb bugreport to android-media-github@google.com after filing this issue.