'Chromecast with Google TV' (Codename: Sabrina) includes hardware for advanced surround sound processing. I'm forecasting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. (Evidence provided.)

by Shidell

If you're following the news around Google's project 'Sabrina', currently referred to as 'Chromecast with Google TV', you're probably aware of some of the information that's already been made available via specifications discovered from a leaked firmware teardown.

Included in the hardware analysis of that firmware teardown is discovery of the CPU being used, an AMLogic S905X2 (12nm, 4c/4t @ 1.8 GHz) with an ARM Mali-G32 GPU. This combination should support decoding at up to 4Kp75 10-bit H.265, including HDR playback (via HLG), and HDR10/+ and Dolby Vision.

Additionally, it includes Broadcom's BCM43569 processor for combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (4.1), and Cadence's Tensilica HiFi 4 DSP.

Cadence's Tensilica HiFi 4 DSP (in other platforms) has been used to support Dolby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X. Based on the hardware being present in Sabrina, I expect this means we can expect advanced audio processing support, such as Dolby Atmos and (potentially) DTS:X.

​

References:

Android Police

XDA Sabrina Firmware Leak

Cadence Tensilica Announces Fourth Generation Tensilica HiFi DSP Architecture

Cadence Tensilica HiFi Audio DSP is the first DSP IP Core to support Dolby Atmos for PCs

DTS: Headphone:X Optimized for Cadence Tensilica HiFi Audio DSPs

nhlfanatical

All I want is passthrough support. headphone atmos / dts-x are pointless for this device, and I'd argue that being able to decode atmos / dts-x by itself is also somewhat pointless. Atmos/DTS-X need to be passed directly through to the receiver to make the best decision of how to decode the audio based on your speaker configuration.

daddygimp81

Does this mean it'll have play store and capability to download apps? For example, will I be able to put nordvpn on it and other apps. If so, can I cast from a device with vpn to sabrina with vpn(assuming)? Or download any other android based apps????

ECrispy

All I want is -

- responsive and fast navigation

- a decent player, not the very limited ExoPlayer that Android has been stuck with forever.

- for gods sake support all the formats all the audio/video formats that the native hw supports instead of artificially crippled software (e.g. in FireStick)

- passthru support

- proper colorspace, refresh rate for video support

A $20 Amlogic cheapo Chinese dongle supports much more formats running Kodi than the most expensive AndroidTv/Android official device. Its ridiculous.

I'd love for this to be a viable Shield replacement - the Shield is $150 for functionality thats present in much much lower powered devices.

Tired8281

Ok, this sounds cool but what does it really mean? I can connect headphones and get some kind of fake-but-good surround sound? Bluetooth or wired (wired to where?)?

therealhamster

I just want the ability to send everything as DD 5.1

Stadia uses LPCM 5.1 which my Sonos speakers don’t support. Sonos only supports Dolby Digital so not getting surround sound while gaming on Stadia is a dealbreaker