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Feature requests: Sonos Amp should allow power saving to be disabled, and should wake up when TV is turned on

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
December 2, 2022
20 replies
588 views

The Sonos Amp goes into ‘idle’ mode when it doesn’t detect an audio signal for more than 3 minutes.

It’s a shame that the Amp doesn’t automatically wake up from idle mode when the TV it’s connected to is turned on. Every time I switch the TV on, and begin playing content, I miss the first 3 seconds of audio as I wait for the Amp to wake up. Every other audio receiver I’ve used has been able to turn itself on when the TV is turned on, using HDMI CEC control. Could this not be implemented in the Amp?

This problem also occurs when you pause whatever content you’re watching for more than 3 minutes - the Amp goes to idle mode, and then you miss the first 3 seconds of audio when you begin playing again. Could idle mode not be disabled when the connected TV is powered on?

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buzz

Grand Maestro

If the TV sends an ON response, AMP will immediately start it’s power-up sequence. Unfortunately, it requires a few seconds for AMP to stabilize and it remains muted during this period. Regardless, we don’t know exactly when the TV will send out its power-up notification. It’s possible that the TV withholds notice until it is fully powered-up. This will introduce additional delay from when the operator presses the TV’s power button.

On a separate track, the A/V receivers that I’m familiar with require 8-10 seconds to power-up If your receiver starts immediately, it may not have been powered down. Another variable is how the A/V receiver is connected to the TV. Likely, a cable box, disc player, or a video ‘dongle’ is connected to the receiver and this box will simultaneously send a power command to the TV and receiver. If both the receiver and TV are ready to go at about the same time, it will seem that the receiver switches ON instantly.

buzz

Grand Maestro

Make sure that CEC is enabled all along the signal path. AMP can start on receiving an audio signal or CEC command. If, for some reason, your system is not issuing CEC commands, AMP must wait for an audio signal and audio may not immediately be sent out after a video source is selected.

J

joechildsAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

If the TV sends an ON response, AMP will immediately start it’s power-up sequence. Unfortunately, it requires a few seconds for AMP to stabilize and it remains muted during this period. Regardless, we don’t know exactly when the TV will send out its power-up notification. It’s possible that the TV withholds notice until it is fully powered-up. This will introduce additional delay from when the operator presses the TV’s power button.

On a separate track, the A/V receivers that I’m familiar with require 8-10 seconds to power-up If your receiver starts immediately, it may not have been powered down. Another variable is how the A/V receiver is connected to the TV. Likely, a cable box, disc player, or a video ‘dongle’ is connected to the receiver and this box will simultaneously send a power command to the TV and receiver. If both the receiver and TV are ready to go at about the same time, it will seem that the receiver switches ON instantly.

For me, the Sonos Amp does not react to the TV turning on. I can turn the TV on, leave it for several minutes, and then begin playing a video, and I have the same issue - the Amp will only ‘wake up’ when it detects an audio signal.

I had a cheap Onkyo receiver connected to the TV previously, which would begin powering on immediately when the TV was powered on, using HDMI CEC control. It was connected to the TV in the same way as the Amp, directly via HDMI. And the Onkyo did not have any devices plugged into it, so it was definitely receiving the CEC signal from my TV.

J

joechildsAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

Make sure that CEC is enabled all along the signal path. AMP can start on receiving an audio signal or CEC command. If, for some reason, your system is not issuing CEC commands, AMP must wait for an audio signal and audio may not immediately be sent out after a video source is selected.

Thanks Buzz, are you sure that the Amp can turn on via CEC? I haven’t seen any mention of this on Sonos’ website or support documents.

buzz

Grand Maestro

During the AMP installation, did it detect the TV?

J

joechildsAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

During the AMP installation, did it detect the TV?

Yes, the TV setup was successful in the Sonos app. And the TV, a Sony A95K, lists the Amp as a connected device in its list of CEC devices. The volume control works through the TV remote (not using IR on the Amp), so CEC appears to be working.

J

joechildsAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

During the AMP installation, did it detect the TV?

buzz

Grand Maestro

As a test, physically block the possibility of your TV remote sending IR commands.

The SONY TV’s can be quirky. Make sure that the TV firmware is up to date, then reboot the TV. There is a multi-button sequence from the remote that will do this or remove power for a couple minutes. As part of this reboot, remove the HDMI cable. You could also reboot AMP. After both units are powered-up, reconnect the HDMI. I really hate going through this sort of sequence, but it can accidentally work through an issue that manufacturers always blame on the other guy.

Overall, CEC control is a mess. It’s very slow at about 418 bits per second (yes 418 per second) and loosely specified. Each manufacturer has their own interpretation and the other interpretations, of course, are wrong.

J

joechildsAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

As a test, physically block the possibility of your TV remote sending IR commands.

The SONY TV’s can be quirky. Make sure that the TV firmware is up to date, then reboot the TV. There is a multi-button sequence from the remote that will do this or remove power for a couple minutes. As part of this reboot, remove the HDMI cable. You could also reboot AMP. After both units are powered-up, reconnect the HDMI. I really hate going through this sort of sequence, but it can accidentally work through an issue that manufacturers always blame on the other guy.

Overall, CEC control is a mess. It’s very slow at about 418 bits per second (yes 418 per second) and loosely specified. Each manufacturer has their own interpretation and the other interpretations, of course, are wrong.

THANK YOU! The Amp now powers on when the TV powers on. Thanks for taking the time to help.

J

joechildsAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

As a test, physically block the possibility of your TV remote sending IR commands.

The SONY TV’s can be quirky. Make sure that the TV firmware is up to date, then reboot the TV. There is a multi-button sequence from the remote that will do this or remove power for a couple minutes. As part of this reboot, remove the HDMI cable. You could also reboot AMP. After both units are powered-up, reconnect the HDMI. I really hate going through this sort of sequence, but it can accidentally work through an issue that manufacturers always blame on the other guy.

Overall, CEC control is a mess. It’s very slow at about 418 bits per second (yes 418 per second) and loosely specified. Each manufacturer has their own interpretation and the other interpretations, of course, are wrong.

I spoke too soon, I think I just didn’t wait long enough for the Amp to go to sleep. It’s still behaving as it did before.

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