No way to enable surround sound on Philips Android TV

This happens with VLC for Android 3.4.2 Revision 25fee5db0 VLC cb877634a (2021-10-15) on a Philips 50PUS8556/12 Android TV (Model 2021/22), running Android TV version 10 Build QTG3.200913.001 / Kernel 4.19.75 / Firmware version TPM211EA_R.001.001.212.206 / Firmware build Aug 12 2021.

Here's how to reproduce this issue:

• connect a surround-capable AV receiver to the TV via HDMI ARC
• use youtube-dl to download this surround audio test video from youtube
• store the video file on a local file server
• use the TV's own video player (which isn't VLC) which is available via the "AV input" menu
• browse the local network, play the video file
• → you'll hear the proper surround audio channels on each speaker
• install VLC from the Play Store
• use VLC 3.4.2
• browse the local network, play the video file
• → there's only sound on the left/right stereo channels, no rear or center
• go the VLC settings, try to find a proper setting to fix this, fiddle around, nothing helps
• go the TV settings, try to find a proper setting to fix this, fiddle around, nothing helps