I have a Roku Ultra. Recently, the night listening mode doesn't work all the time. Every time i change to a new app it needs to be toggled off and back on in order to work. When using the Plex app I have to do this with each episode. It didn't used to be like this, although the nigh listening mode has always been picky and buggy, but it gives me the most even sound so I don't disturb the rest of the house watching TV.

Any ideas on how to fix this? Or is it one more little annoyance that I need to get used to?

Oh, it's buggy for sure.

Other than have it attenuate volume nearly to an unhearable level across the board, I can't see it's doing much. 'Levelling' works exactly the same, as in; not very well.

The feature, generally speaking, is sorely needed, but the way it's implemented at this time doesn't do what we need it to do (or what is advertised)... at all.

Thanks for letting us know about the issue you're running into. We're currently investigating these reports. 

Please stay tuned for further updates! 

Thanks,
Tanner

I am REALLY MAD.  I just spend more tha $100 to buy the Roku ultra when I didn't need a new Roku, but read that the ultra had 'night listening mode', and we have been dreaming of something like this.  this was ON THE F*CKING WEB PAGE, of Roku, advertising an item to buy and so I get it, and install it and spend the afternoon putting in passwords and IDs only to learn that this feature had been removed.  So they advertise something, hook the sucker into buying it, then when you get it, they have changed it.  How can they get by with this?  I'm reporting to Amazon, where I bought this, and to Better Business Bureau, but I'll never get back the hours I invested in this.  You cannot imagine my fury at this blatant lie and deception. 

Just imagine how mad you'd be if you went through all that, had Night Mode, and it didn't work - like what's happening over at my house on my Roku Ultra 4660R. It's there, but does nothing useful.

I'm not mad about it, but wouldn't be upset if it was made to work at some point...

lol

You can see more information on how to enable volume modes on your supported device, including 'Night mode' here: https://support.roku.com/article/226802507-how-do-i-use-volume-modes-on-my-roku-streaming-device-

These are not located in the Home page Settings menu, but are accessible by pressing the * key on your remote during streaming content playback. 



Thanks,
Tanner

*A reminder that volume modes are not supported for surround sound audio formats, such as Dolby Digital or DTS.

Well, that's handy info.
Can't say I maintain any AAC tracks, or anything other than AC3 2.0/5.1 so that explains it.
I'm sure that'll come as an unwelcome surprise to many, but now that I consider Roku can't deal with AC3 I don't know why I was expecting any 'Leveling'.

Tanner, I don't think that's quite an accurate statement. What I remember reading here (I never use it) is that Night Mode does not process the audio to 5.1 out, but will turn 5.1 into stereo. But it will work with 5.1 audio as the source material. 

"Note: Volume modes are only available in stereo." (From our volume modes FAQ here: https://support.roku.com/article/226802507-how-do-i-use-volume-modes-on-my-roku-streaming-device-)
 

Thanks,
Tanner 

... and besides - why would anyone want 5.1 audio when they can have Stereo?

Uhhh... but anyway...

Realistically for me, "Levelling" would only be necessary if the audio track suffered from Dufus Syndrome - when the Dufus creating the audio track didn't downmix it properly burying the dialog under the gunshot sounds, but in ALL cases that audio is probably AC3 in my case. I won't be changing that to AAC so Roku can "Level" it.
(you may be surprised to learn how many 'Dufi' work in Broadcast Control Rooms all across this great land of ours - and ALL of that audio they can't get downmixed properly is AC3. Unfortunately.)

What I will do, is fire up Plex Media Player, drag it to the TV, and it will use audio from Windows that goes through the Windows Loudness EQ before getting to the TV, but I have to control PMP with the Plex App on my Phone 'cause PMP doesn't understand how a mouse works. <--- and that's way more convenient than activating a 'Leveling' feature on my Roku.

Kids these days want everything handed to them...

(Note: If you're watching the ads inserted into a Movie or Show on a Roku Channel, the feature may work exactly as intended)

I had a roku ultra 4640 but gave that away so I can't test it now.  But, with that in the past surround audio would be converted on the fly to stereo for night mode.  That is, while I was watching something I could switch to night mode and I could see that my receiver went from receiving 5.1 to 2.0.

Now I have a streaming stick+ (3810) and switching to night or leveling does nothing while watching something with surround sound.  But, if I stop playback and restart a video it'll then be outputting stereo instead of 5.1.  It seems that apps are instructed by roku to stream only stereo audio when leveling or night mode is on but can't switch audio tracks during playback.

I'm guessing the ability to convert audio on the fly is unique to the ultras and that's why the stick+ doesn't do anything until playback is restarted.

It's quite a useless feature that requires the user to stop a video and restart it after changing a setting that can only be accessed WHILE PLAYING A VIDEO. 

RokuTannerD wrote:

"Note: Volume modes are only available in stereo." (From our volume modes FAQ here: https://support.roku.com/article/226802507-how-do-i-use-volume-modes-on-my-roku-streaming-device-)


Thanks,
Tanner 

Tanner, if roku intend this functionality the code does not bear that.  While playing DD+ content I can certainly press the * and switch to night or leveling.  Nothing happens but I can try it.  The reason the audio mode settings have to be available is because they aren't available anywhere else!
If I stop playback and start again it'll be stereo, overriding the capabilities of my system to support the audio mode chosen.

I tried these modes on my sticks as well 3800, etc., the experience was infuriating as the dialog was suppressed to the point it couldn't be heard and music, loud noises, etc. were enhanced.  It did the opposite of what was intended, seems like.

@cosmoxl

Per your last two comments, what specific streaming channels and content titles have you observed this behavior on? 

I'd like to take a closer look. Feel free to send me a PM with more details. 

Cheers,
Tanner

RokuTannerD wrote:

@cosmoxl

Per your last two comments, what specific streaming channels and content titles have you observed this behavior on? 

I'd like to take a closer look. Feel free to send me a PM with more details. 

Cheers,
Tanner

Amazon and Plex, for example.