"I attempted to create a Blu-ray disc from an MKV video file containing Dolby TrueHD audio using TsMuxer. During the authoring process, TsMuxer finished without errors, but after burning the disc and playing it on my Sony Blu-ray player, there was no audio. What did I do wrong, and why isn't the Dolby TrueHD audio track playing properly?"

Many users experience issues when attempting to create a Blu-ray disc from an MKV video file containing Dolby TrueHD audio using TsMuxer. A common scenario is that the authoring process completes without errors, but after burning the disc and playing it on a Sony Blu-ray player, the audio does not play. So, what went wrong? Why isn't the Dolby TrueHD audio track functioning properly?

This issue arises because TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) MLP audio in Blu-ray is not an independent audio track but needs to be merged with an AC3 track to form an AC3 + TrueHD composite audio track. This article provides a detailed explanation of how to correctly preserve TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) MLP audio in Blu-ray creation.

Part 1. What is TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) MLP?

Dolby TrueHD is a lossless audio codec developed by Dolby Laboratories. It delivers studio-quality sound and supports up to 7.1 channels. When paired with Dolby Atmos, it enables immersive, object-based surround sound, enhancing home theater experiences.

On Blu-ray, TrueHD audio must be combined with an AC3 (Dolby Digital) track to ensure compatibility with all Blu-ray players. This combination is stored in an M2TS container, which is the standard format for Blu-ray video files. However, in other formats such as MKV and MP4, AC3 + TrueHD composite audio tracks are not supported, leading to a separation of TrueHD and AC3 tracks.

Why TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) Might Not Work in Blu-ray Authoring

When creating a Blu-ray disc, if the video is in MKV or MP4 format, the TrueHD audio may be stored as a separate track, rather than being combined with AC3. If this separated TrueHD track is used directly in Blu-ray authoring, some Blu-ray players may fail to recognize or play it, leading to no audio output.

To correctly preserve TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) audio in Blu-ray authoring, two main scenarios must be considered:

• If the video is in M2TS format and already contains an AC3 + TrueHD audio track, you can use Yuhan Blu-ray Creator and TsMuxer to create a Blu-ray that fully supports TrueHD (Dolby Atmos).
• If the video is in MKV or MP4 format, you must use Yuhan Blu-ray Creator’s transcoding mode along with the "Audio Copy" function to ensure that the final Blu-ray disc retains TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) audio.

Part 2. How to Preserve TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) in Blu-ray Creation

For M2TS files with existing AC3 + TrueHD composite audio tracks, you can use either TsMuxer or Yuhan Blu-ray Creator. However, for MP4 and MKV files with separate AC3 and TrueHD audio streams, TsMuxer is not an option, and only Yuhan Blu-ray Creator can be used.

Method 1: Using TsMuxer for M2TS Files

If your source file is in M2TS format and contains an AC3 + TrueHD audio track, follow these steps:

• Load the M2TS file into TsMuxer.
• Ensure that the TrueHD audio track is present and includes an AC3 core.
• Select "Blu-ray ISO" or "Blu-ray folder" as the output format.
• Click "Start Muxing" to generate the Blu-ray structure.
• Burn the output to a Blu-ray disc using ImgBurn or other burning software.

This method ensures that the TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) track remains intact and plays correctly on compatible Blu-ray players.

Method 2: Using Yuhan Blu-ray Creator for MKV and MP4 Files

If your source file is in MKV or MP4 format, TrueHD audio may not be stored as an AC3 + TrueHD composite track. To resolve this, use Yuhan Blu-ray Creator to merge AC3 and TrueHD into a single audio track. Your video must contain both a TrueHD and an AC3 audio track, and Yuhan Blu-ray Creator will automatically combine them into an AC3 + TrueHD composite audio track.

Advantages of Using Yuhan Blu-ray Creator

Yuhan Blu-ray Creator offers many features that make it ideal for Blu-ray authoring:

• Supports nearly all video formats, including MKV, MP4, AVI, and M2TS.
• Preserves multiple audio tracks and subtitles, allowing full customization.
• Supports external subtitle addition, making it ideal for international content.
• Maintains high-quality audio, including TrueHD (Dolby Atmos), DTS-HD Master, and Blu-ray PCM.
• Compatible with all Blu-ray frame rates, including 23.976fps, 24fps, 25fps, 29.97fps, 50fps, and 59.94fps.
• Automatically imports chapter information from source files.
• Offers both transcoding and pass-through modes for flexible Blu-ray creation.
• Provides multiple output options, including Blu-ray folders, ISO files, and direct disc burning.
• Includes over 30 built-in Blu-ray menu templates, with highly customizable options.
• Supports three highlight display modes: frame, underline, and text color change.
• Features four scene menu display modes: File (Icon), File (Text), Chapter (Icon), and Chapter (Text).
• Supports Bonus Features/Extras submenu creation, perfect for custom Blu-ray projects.

Step to Burn TrueHD(Dolby Atmos) with Yuhan Blu-ray Creator

Before we start, we need to download and install Yuhan Blu-ray Creator. If your computer is Windows, you can click the button on the left below to download it. If your computer is Mac, please click the button on the right below to download it.

Step 1: Add Video files

Open Yuhan Blu-ray Creator and navigate to the "Blu-ray" tab to ensure you are creating a Blu-ray disc. Click the "Add Video" button to import your video file, ensuring it includes both a TrueHD audio track and an AC3 audio track. At the bottom of the software, you can adjust the resolution, disc capacity, and frame rate for your Blu-ray.

Step 2: Video Settings (Optional)

To further customize your video, click the Edit icon next to the video entry to open the video settings window. Here, you can crop the video, adjust the volume, set chapters, and select the language for the audio track and subtitles to suit your preferences.

Step 3: Select a menu template and customize it

Yuhan Blu-ray Creator offers over 30 disc menu templates to choose from, all of which can be easily customized to suit your preferences. To personalize the menu, click the "Select Menu" button on the main interface. In addition to standard customization options, such as setting the background and music for each menu page, Yuhan Blu-ray Creator supports four scene menu display modes: File (Icon), File (Text), Chapter (Icon), and Chapter (Text). It also provides three highlight display modes: draw a box, underline, or change the text color.

Step 4: Advanced Settings

To access the advanced settings in Yuhan Blu-ray Creator, open the software’s settings dialog. To preserve TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) in MP4/MKV files, select "Transcoding" under the "Blu-ray & UHD Processing Mode" option, and ensure the "Audio Copy" option is checked.

Step 5: Output Settings

Step 6: Start authoring

Once you click the "Start" button, Yuhan Blu-ray Creator will begin the creation process. When the disc is ejected, the production is complete, and your Blu-ray is ready to use.

Part 3. Conclusion

Preserving TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) MLP audio in Blu-ray authoring requires careful handling of audio formats. Since Blu-ray players expect an AC3 + TrueHD composite track, users must ensure that their source files are correctly formatted. If working with M2TS files, TsMuxer is a reliable tool for maintaining TrueHD (Dolby Atmos). For MKV and MP4 files, Yuhan Blu-ray Creator provides an effective solution by allowing transcoding with "Audio Copy" enabled.

By following the correct methods and using the right software, you can successfully create a Blu-ray disc that retains the high-quality TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) experience, ensuring an immersive and cinematic audio playback on your home theater system.

If you want to learn more about Yuhan Blu-ray Creator, please click: https://yuhanmedia.com/bd-creator

If you want to download and try it for free, please click the button below to download it.

Part 4. FAQs

1. Why doesn't my Blu-ray player recognize the TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) audio?

Your Blu-ray player may not recognize the TrueHD audio if it is not properly merged with an AC3 core. Ensure that your TrueHD track is in an AC3 + TrueHD composite format before authoring the Blu-ray.

2. Can I preserve TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) when converting an MKV file to Blu-ray?

Yes, you can use Yuhan Blu-ray Creator’s transcoding mode with the "Audio Copy" function to preserve TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) when converting MKV files to Blu-ray.

3. What software can I use to ensure TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) is retained in my Blu-ray creation?

You can use TsMuxer for M2TS files and Yuhan Blu-ray Creator for MKV and MP4 files to ensure TrueHD (Dolby Atmos) is properly retained in your Blu-ray authoring process.