How do I play audio (e.g. soundtracks for movies and TV in iTunes) or stream internet content (e.g. netflx or iPlayer) from my iMac through my Sonos system? I've tried a phono lead out from the headphone socket on the Mac into a Sonos bridge "line in", but the sound was poor and very quiet. My music library is on my iMac, and that works fine.
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To add to my previous comment, this is SO fundamental to the way Sonos works (multiroom, multi-source, multicontroller, not through the device) and is SO fundamentally different from technologies like Airplay and Bluetooth, that when you have grasped it is blindingly obvious why it isn't a simple software tweak to play computer audio wirelessly.
I think we all understand players are players and controllers are controllers.So, please tell us 1 more time for the record, what " player " was being used in the simple 3 piece configuration listed above ? A.K.A. My test bed
Actually, it seems you do not understand at all. In your test bed, the Play:5 is the player. Period. It is the only unit of the entire Sonos chain which fetches, receives, processes and outputs the audio stream. No audio stream passes through the Mac or the Sonos controller at all. None, zero, nada. There is no capability for the Controller on the Mac to play, decode, process, push out, pass through, or even recognize what the audio stream is, outside of the Play:5 sending the track meta-data back to the controller.
So now do you "understand" why switching from a simple controller with smart players that fetch audio to a smart controller that processes audio to "push" to a player that simply plays an audio stream is much more than just a "few lines of code"? If you do not, then I don't know what to say to clarify any more.
Thank you so much danec69! Easy and worked for me straight away! I wonder why Sonos and other Mac users more widely know this? Brilliant!
A shame about the guy who wanted/had a whole Sonos speaker system and decided to take them back, when he could have done this. Sonos really ought to state this clearly or they'll be losing a lot of potential customers :-(
If directly saved to your Apple MacBook i.e not cloud or streaming
1. Download/ Open Sonos app.
2. Select Preferences from Sonos drop down
3. Music Library option
4. On Folder option hit + sign
5. 3 options will appear to select where your music is stored. "in my music folder" suits most needs but you can select networked drive if you want to get technical
6. on the next screen you will be asked to enter your MacBook System Administrator password.
7. Once complete "Music library" will appear in Sonos user interface.
A shame about the guy who wanted/had a whole Sonos speaker system and decided to take them back, when he could have done this. Sonos really ought to state this clearly or they'll be losing a lot of potential customers :-(
1. Download/ Open Sonos app.
2. Select Preferences from Sonos drop down
3. Music Library option
4. On Folder option hit + sign
5. 3 options will appear to select where your music is stored. "in my music folder" suits most needs but you can select networked drive if you want to get technical
6. on the next screen you will be asked to enter your MacBook System Administrator password.
7. Once complete "Music library" will appear in Sonos user interface.
Umm... Wow ! I'm glad I purchased and thourly tested a test bed before making the substatantial investment required to install this system.Had I depended on the forums I certainly may have reconsidered and perhaps even seeked another solution, non the less,so to be very clear,I choose to use my Sonos speakers simple as designed to be used, an amplified speaker, simple as that.The Sonos app and its " as you all position limited capabilities " is of very little use to me personally as a music service system.I think one might find it very difficult to push/route data to 28 separate players and have them all stay in perfect sync.
Sorry I wasted your time expressing my stupidity,ignorance,or there lack of.
Sorry I wasted your time expressing my stupidity,ignorance,or there lack of.
I don't think he has 28 players. I'm pretty sure he was testing out the Play:5 and the "28 players" was either his plans for the future, or yet another "I would have bought $10,000.00 of Sonos stuff it it only did this! Sonos is losing my money!" posts.
Yes, it has been a waste of time, clearly, and I shan't be wasting any more here. But @jgatie - @jonf1965 says he already has a substantial Sonos system. He just doesn't understand it. I no longer care, and maybe none of us should.
Yes I get what you mean about the groups. I think quite a few people have asked about "permanent" groups like this and it would seem a nice feature. So it's on Sonos' radar but they never indicate in advance if these things are coming.
The Playbar doesn't really help with the Mac overall, but I think you can pair you YouTube on your Mac to YouTube on your TV (assuming that you have a Smart TV) and play videos that way wirelessly. Any audio available to your Playbar can be put through other speakers by grouping.
Or you could in theory wire your Mac to the TV (eg with HDMI) and get sound to your Sonos speakers that way, depending on the wired connections the Mac has (of which I have no idea). That may be rather unsatisfactory or impractical though.
Rumours persist, although with no solid evidence, that Sonos will introduce some sort of casting solution (e.g. Google Cast) that would give you something much more like what you are looking for. That does seem a logical development but only time will tell.
The Playbar doesn't really help with the Mac overall, but I think you can pair you YouTube on your Mac to YouTube on your TV (assuming that you have a Smart TV) and play videos that way wirelessly. Any audio available to your Playbar can be put through other speakers by grouping.
Or you could in theory wire your Mac to the TV (eg with HDMI) and get sound to your Sonos speakers that way, depending on the wired connections the Mac has (of which I have no idea). That may be rather unsatisfactory or impractical though.
Rumours persist, although with no solid evidence, that Sonos will introduce some sort of casting solution (e.g. Google Cast) that would give you something much more like what you are looking for. That does seem a logical development but only time will tell.
For now, Sonos is not able to play the system-sound of your computer wirelessly. We call that functionality Virtual Line In, and it is something we may be working
on in the future. You can voice your support by +1 this idea.
Apart from that, the only method to have the PC sound play through Sonos is to use the analog-cable with the Line-In of your PLAY:5/CONNECT/CONNECT:AMP.
In regards to the volume-level of the Line-In connection, I recommend that you check the Line-In settings within the Room Settings of your Sonos app. There you can select
the signal level of the Line-In source.
Regards,
Bjorn L.
You can get an Apple Airport Express for $99. This is used to share out Line Out's, extend WiIfi signals, and share Printers all wirelessly. Plug that Line out into your Line-In of your Play:5/Connect/Connect-AMP. Then you can use AirpLay via iTunes directly to stream your music. If you want to stream system sound from your iMac then use in addition an app called Airfoil which transmits ANY sound & video from your iMac using Airplay technology directly to your peripherals connected to your Airport Express.
Hi Vincent.
I DID work this out! Trouble is, it was so long ago I'm now not sure how I did it! I am sure that it involved conversations with Sonos support.
I can tell you that it's definitely using a lineout from the headphone socket to a Sonos bridge! Here is the other thing I'd try right away – go to Sonos > Manage > Service Settings. Under "Room Settings" set "Line-Out Level to variable".
if that doesn't work, let me know and I'll see what else I can come up with.
I DID work this out! Trouble is, it was so long ago I'm now not sure how I did it! I am sure that it involved conversations with Sonos support.
I can tell you that it's definitely using a lineout from the headphone socket to a Sonos bridge! Here is the other thing I'd try right away – go to Sonos > Manage > Service Settings. Under "Room Settings" set "Line-Out Level to variable".
if that doesn't work, let me know and I'll see what else I can come up with.
People have their music library on CD or on their PC/Mac and you can't play it through your Sonos system, how poor is that.
I have just bought the first part of a Sonos system that will now be returned because I have my music library, >1,000 CD's on my iMac.
Epic fail !!!!!
It's not that poor at all, considering you most certainly CAN play your music library from your PC/Mac. All you have to do is point Sonos to the share that houses your music on the PC/Mac. I don't know how you got the idea it wasn't possible, but you are 100% incorrect.
What you cannot do is play the system sound from your PC/Mac (the beeps, boops, video sound, etc) directly to your Sonos speakers. For that you need a Sonos device with a Line-in connection and a cable.
hi - im also at a loss to play my music library from my mac - either it cannot connect or the mac format not working - can't grab the error messages fast enough. what steps does one take to point sonos to the share that houses my music? my whole library is sitting on my hard drive.
How poor is this.
People have their music library on CD or on their PC/Mac and you can't play it through your Sonos system, how poor is that.
I have just bought the first part of a Sonos system that will now be returned because I have my music library, >1,000 CD's on my iMac.
Epic fail !!!!!
It's not that poor at all, considering you most certainly CAN play your music library from your PC/Mac. All you have to do is point Sonos to the share that houses your music on the PC/Mac. I don't know how you got the idea it wasn't possible, but you are 100% incorrect.
What you cannot do is play the system sound from your PC/Mac (the beeps, boops, video sound, etc) directly to your Sonos speakers. For that you need a Sonos device with a Line-in connection and a cable.
People have their music library on CD or on their PC/Mac and you can't play it through your Sonos system, how poor is that.
I have just bought the first part of a Sonos system that will now be returned because I have my music library, >1,000 CD's on my iMac.
Epic fail !!!!!
It's not that poor at all, considering you most certainly CAN play your music library from your PC/Mac. All you have to do is point Sonos to the share that houses your music on the PC/Mac. I don't know how you got the idea it wasn't possible, but you are 100% incorrect.
What you cannot do is play the system sound from your PC/Mac (the beeps, boops, video sound, etc) directly to your Sonos speakers. For that you need a Sonos device with a Line-in connection and a cable.
ok posted too soon - followed other post on how to set up path but now stuck on my mac with the smb password - no idea what that is and cannot reset it. any ideas there? also off to mac help now. should be easier than this.
hi - im also at a loss to play my music library from my mac - either it cannot connect or the mac format not working - can't grab the error messages fast enough. what steps does one take to point sonos to the share that houses my music? my whole library is sitting on my hard drive.
How poor is this.
People have their music library on CD or on their PC/Mac and you can't play it through your Sonos system, how poor is that.
I have just bought the first part of a Sonos system that will now be returned because I have my music library, >1,000 CD's on my iMac.
Epic fail !!!!!
It's not that poor at all, considering you most certainly CAN play your music library from your PC/Mac. All you have to do is point Sonos to the share that houses your music on the PC/Mac. I don't know how you got the idea it wasn't possible, but you are 100% incorrect.
What you cannot do is play the system sound from your PC/Mac (the beeps, boops, video sound, etc) directly to your Sonos speakers. For that you need a Sonos device with a Line-in connection and a cable.
People have their music library on CD or on their PC/Mac and you can't play it through your Sonos system, how poor is that.
I have just bought the first part of a Sonos system that will now be returned because I have my music library, >1,000 CD's on my iMac.
Epic fail !!!!!
It's not that poor at all, considering you most certainly CAN play your music library from your PC/Mac. All you have to do is point Sonos to the share that houses your music on the PC/Mac. I don't know how you got the idea it wasn't possible, but you are 100% incorrect.
What you cannot do is play the system sound from your PC/Mac (the beeps, boops, video sound, etc) directly to your Sonos speakers. For that you need a Sonos device with a Line-in connection and a cable.
beam the macbook to your tv via apple tv and play your music. Boom !
Cheers
I want to be able to connect external speakers to my iMac. It has a headphone jack which will apparently function as a headphone jack or a line in connection - but not both at the same time. I have 2 Thunderbolt and 4 USB 3.0 ports on my machine. It would seem that Sonos could work that out that line in from my CONNECT could come in on one of those ports with an adapter and some software magic in the controller to product sound like a Windows machine with a sound card line in.
Agree with @Stuart_W wholeheartedly. How can you be "disappointed" that a product doesn't do something it is fundamentally not designed to do and has never claimed to do?
Sonos aren't stupid. They have undoubtedly considered Bluetooth, and for good reason rejected it (rubbish and outdated technology). They must have made a calculated decision not to put a ilne-in on the P:1 or P:3 (cost versus minimal effect on overall sales, probably).
Sonos aren't stupid. They have undoubtedly considered Bluetooth, and for good reason rejected it (rubbish and outdated technology). They must have made a calculated decision not to put a ilne-in on the P:1 or P:3 (cost versus minimal effect on overall sales, probably).
Hi, ok I didn't know bluetooth was an outdated technology. So far I haven't had any Problems with bluetooth, but I guess I can unterstand that bluetooth is not the optimum for a multiroom sound system. Anyways I am disappointed there is no option to play my Macs music on my sonos play 1 speakers 😕
Is there any other way connecting my Mac with my sonos speakers or is the only way the Sonos Play 5 with the in line?
I just bought a Sonos playbar and a Play 3 ok ebay. Is it possible to use the playbar in order to play music from my Mac or are there any other possibilities?
When I ment groups I didn't actually mean groups. I know you can create groups, but what I ment was (maybe you could call it-> scenes). So for example: I have a Sonos Play 1 in my bedroom, Kitchen and bathroom. I would like to create a scene where I could just choose play in Kitchen and bathroom or Play in Kitchen and bedroom or play in all 3 rooms. I know this is possible but you can't configure this in the app and save them as individual scenes. Do you know what I mean? This would be really really Great.
Btw I am really happy with my Sonos speakers but there are some minor tweeks I wish were available 😉 thanks in advance.
Is there any other way connecting my Mac with my sonos speakers or is the only way the Sonos Play 5 with the in line?
I just bought a Sonos playbar and a Play 3 ok ebay. Is it possible to use the playbar in order to play music from my Mac or are there any other possibilities?
When I ment groups I didn't actually mean groups. I know you can create groups, but what I ment was (maybe you could call it-> scenes). So for example: I have a Sonos Play 1 in my bedroom, Kitchen and bathroom. I would like to create a scene where I could just choose play in Kitchen and bathroom or Play in Kitchen and bedroom or play in all 3 rooms. I know this is possible but you can't configure this in the app and save them as individual scenes. Do you know what I mean? This would be really really Great.
Btw I am really happy with my Sonos speakers but there are some minor tweeks I wish were available 😉 thanks in advance.
Wow ! Ok, I wasn't attempting to discredit the Sonos system so let me lay out my infrastructure.First and foremost the Sonos is on its own dedicated wireless network using the Boost, I have 26 speakers in my system and I use Connect to put analog audio ( from studio mixer board ) onto the Sonos network via a Wired LAN connection.The system works perfectly and flawlessly, hasn't skipped a beat since installation and I can patch anything audio connected to the mixer from my studio right through the entire complex.The problem is the Mac in the studio which is connected to the studio mixing board,which is connected to the Sonos Connect using the headphone jack on the Mac.Problem is when you plug into the headphone jack it kills all sound to the Mac's internal speakers,so, if I don't have the mixer powered up the Mac sounds and music are not heard.Being is Sonos developed the Connect I just assumed the framework for getting live analog audio is already built and therefor could be incorporated into the software as a internal device input saving me from having to use the following work around.Problem: Mac when using the headphone jack,disables internal speakers.Work Around: configure a Bluetooth speaker connection to the Mac using the midi utility to combine the internal speakers and the Bluetooth connected speaker, this allows you to leave the headphone jack plugged into the Mac and connected to the Sonos Connect.Now it makes no difference if I have the mixer powered up or even the Sonos system functional,I still get the sounds and music from the Mac through the little Bluetooth speaker and want I want or need full body fidelity I just reach over and flip on the mixer. SOLVED:D
A further thought - just rereading your last post - you say that you cannot play your Mac music. I assume you mean your Mac audio output. You do know that you can play music files stored on your Mac through Sonos? You probably do, but just making sure.
Hi John B, there seems lots of contradicting info on this, as a newbie, considering buying my first set up to then move to multi room, what do I need to start playing from my iMac to a Sonos speaker (I was thinking of a pair of Play 3's but thought I had to go for 5's to hard wire)?
Thanks
Ok so how do I play music from my macbook through my sonos speaker? The way I do it on my phone is just download the app but there's no sonos app for mac
The Mac Controller is available at the link below:
https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2425?_ga=1.180250466.774090800.1454958331
https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2425?_ga=1.180250466.774090800.1454958331
Thanks!
Oh you and many others have said this, but this is fundamentally not "a simple software/app update."
The entire methodology employed by the Sonos system is that these are independent wireless devices that retrieve their audio based on commands issued by a controller. It can retrieve audio from a radio "station" streaming off the internet as it goes to get it on its own... not because a computer "pushes" the audio to it.
You could physically connect a P5 to your computer... since it allows you to tell it - "play whatever sound comes in the jack".. but to ask it to do this wirelessly would require MUCH more than a simple update. The network bandwidth involved would, I'm certain, generate substantial challenges (a computer streaming down a wireless connection YouTube video... and then pushing that audio back out the same wifi router to eventually be received by Sonos device, processed and played.... yeah.. I don't see it.) If there were a way to send directly to the SonosNet... but that would require another dedicated radio....
Going to put an idea for a SOnos Radio device in another thread for discussion...
@jonf1965. A simple software update? That fundamentally changes the entire nature of the Sonos system design? Give me strength........
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