With 4K bluray players starting to emerge now, seems we really need to start keeping straight which ones will allow those of us with Sonos Playbars enjoy some semblance of Dolby sound when certain 4K blurays only offer DTS. (Note, I haven't yet purchased a 4K bluray, so am unaware of the typical sound offerings.)
But we went through this once already, for regular bluray players, with many threads devoted to outlining the multiple Samsung models of bluray that decode DTS to Dolby 5.1 (I ended up buying a Sony that also does so). Now let's do the same for 4K players.
So far we have the Samsung UBD K8500 (which seems to clearly decode DTS to dolby.) Now what about the Philips? The Panasonic? The Xbox One S?
Anyone have any idea?
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I also contacted LG by email about this. To no surprise they misunderstood my question entirely and gave me some gobbledy-goop about streaming music. Oh well.
I keep checking the LG website to see if the manual is available to download, but still no luck. Like you, I have little hope it'll be able to transcode, but I'm going to give it another week or two for the UP970 release.
I did some checking on the Xbox One S. It has been stated in this forum that it supports transcoding. But the Xbox One S doesn't have very good reviews about it's Blu-ray performance. If the LG doesn't come through, I guess I have to decide if I want to go with the Samsung K8500 or "cut-bait" and sell my Sonos system.
The other day I went down to my local Best Buy and listen to the Bose Soundtouch 300. It sounded fantastic! I would have no reservations switching to that system. It's just the hassle of re-selling the Sonos gear that has me hesitating at this point.
Tried reaching out to LG with this question about the transcoding feature on their upcoming player. (Might as well try to find some info while waiting for the release right?) The discussion, as you might guess, wasn't especially helpful. ("No full specs available yet."). I did ask if LG bluray players historically have this feature, and the answer I got was no. So, I continue to have no expectations for this. What's our next possibility after LG? Isn't samsung supposed to be coming out with another 4K player or two? I'm not going to get my hopes up for the other Sony (crazy price aside), since this one doesn't have it. Likewise, the less expensive Panasonic coming (why would that have the feature if this one doesn't.) At this point, just looking to a higher quality Samsung as a last resort?
Yeah, I hear 'ya.
If the Sonos system sounded lousy, it would be an easy decision to scrap it for something else. But they got everything else so right - it makes this extremely frustrating.
Exactly
Yeah, I hear 'ya.
If the Sonos system sounded lousy, it would be an easy decision to scrap it for something else. But they got everything else so right - it makes this extremely frustrating.
In another thread here, Ryan from Sonos states that "Sonos is focused on modern listeners who predominantly steam". So you and I are apparently behind the times using our new-fangled UDH Blu-Ray players.
Atmos thread:
https://en.community.sonos.com/home-theater-228993/dolby-atmos-6767029
I can confirm that the Panasonic 900 doesn't work and I'm livid because my LG tv optical out port broke within seconds of trying to link it up, so I can only use a splitter and cable into the blu-ray and other devices. None of my 4K discs have any sound other than through the tv as they are all 7.1. I've only just finished the Sonos setup before the price hike - so 6 Play 1s throughout the house for wireless music and one Playbar, plus all the Flexson stands and extension cables. So I have brilliant Sonos sound, brilliant picture on Panasonic, but not sound on 4K movies. Gutted.
I completely understand folks who want to dump their playbar (and potentially sub) due to this issue. I am in the same boat in terms of frustration - but I'm "all in" on Sonos products in my house. A mix of play 3s, play 1s, two playbars and a home theater set up. I love the system. Love the speakers. Love the music. The TV support, obviously, has its faults. That said, the playbar (when working as intended) is equally awesome as all the other speakers. So when I look at the big picture, the playbar in my home theater will be used mostly for TV (my tv passes 5.1), so no problem there. With apple tv, no problem there. With streaming from Amazon, no problem there. And with blurays and 4K discs. And there, some have native dolby audio (no problem there), but some have only DTS. My point is, of all the sound sources, the "problem" is just a portion. And to me, personally, not worth dumping my playbar entirely, because of a "portion". Let alone, dump my playbar, sub and other Sonos components.
Just going to wait it out for the right 4K bluray player that transcodes - and problem will be solved. I did the same thing back with regular blurays. I now have a Sony player that transcodes, so there's no issue at all there. It's really just a need for the right player (elusive right now!)
Just going to wait it out for the right 4K bluray player that transcodes - and problem will be solved. I did the same thing back with regular blurays. I now have a Sony player that transcodes, so there's no issue at all there. It's really just a need for the right player (elusive right now!)
Just to update you all, here is the reply from the AVS Forum:-
"The x800 doesn't not have the "Dolby D Compatible Output" option which is what you are looking for. This converts DTS to DD5.1 on the fly. (The Sony BDP-S6700 does for instance). The x800 is only able to converts DTS/Dolby Digital to multi channel PCM. So unless you're Sonos Soundbar can accept a multi channel PCM input, then you'll need to find alternative solutions".
Not what i wanted to hear - have to start looking at alternatives now as this is getting ridiculous and Sonos don't seem to listen to it's user base.
My Soundbar & Sub will be up for sale pretty soon i think !!!
"The x800 doesn't not have the "Dolby D Compatible Output" option which is what you are looking for. This converts DTS to DD5.1 on the fly. (The Sony BDP-S6700 does for instance). The x800 is only able to converts DTS/Dolby Digital to multi channel PCM. So unless you're Sonos Soundbar can accept a multi channel PCM input, then you'll need to find alternative solutions".
Not what i wanted to hear - have to start looking at alternatives now as this is getting ridiculous and Sonos don't seem to listen to it's user base.
My Soundbar & Sub will be up for sale pretty soon i think !!!
Oh Bugger - I was hoping that the X800 would be the answer to all our prayers!! I thought we'd see a new Playbar out later this year with HDMI and DTS but with the release of the Playbase I think we're well and truly scuppered. Better start looking at alternatives for my Bar & Sub?
+1
Hi. I, too, saw that discussion (since that's what we have to do - scour discussion boards to glean information for workarounds to try to make this aging technology work). Like Carson, I tried that - and every combination I could manage - and, sadly, nothing fed a DD 5.1 signal.
"The player will internally decode all flavors of DTS (HD Master Audio, etc) and Dolby to PCM...up to 7.1 channels as long as BD Mix audio is set to 'off'. There's no need to convert DD to DTS first". Have any of you tried this option?
Hi Guys, i've been chatting on the Official X800 Owners Thread on AVS forums and have been told that it can:-
"The player will internally decode all flavors of DTS (HD Master Audio, etc) and Dolby to PCM...up to 7.1 channels as long as BD Mix audio is set to 'off'. There's no need to convert DD to DTS first". Have any of you tried this option?
"The player will internally decode all flavors of DTS (HD Master Audio, etc) and Dolby to PCM...up to 7.1 channels as long as BD Mix audio is set to 'off'. There's no need to convert DD to DTS first". Have any of you tried this option?
Ugh. Confirming on my end, too - the Sony UPB x800 appears to have no setting/way to transcode DTS to Dolby 5.1 sound. I'm really bummed. I completely agree with everything Musica mentioned - it's truly painful because this is really one quality 4k bluray player. Far and away nicer quality than the Samsung. Absolutely better picture. Better remote. Better setting displays. Better everything. But now I refuse to buy back that Samsung player, which I already had and returned. So as of right now, I'm just giving up on watching 4K blurays. Just gonna wait it out until more choices that transcode hit the market. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of the LG soon and share our info.
no optical out on the upb x800 either which is strange..Sony removed the optical from the ps4 slim as well....is this the end of Sony and optical? do Sony TV's pass 5.1 over hdmi?
I think I'm going to switch over to the Bose SoundTouch 300 system. It's obvious that Bose has made this system to be a direct competitor with the Sonos system. The price is the same. BUT - it has HDMI with DTS support. Glad I kept all of the Sonos boxes, because it looks like these are going up for sale on ebay real soon.
+1
I'm going to have to try the LG player, as well. I've purchased and returned the Philips, Samsung (it converts but I hoping there was a better player), Oppo, and, now, the Sony.
If the LG doesn't do it...I'm beginning to feel the same way as you.
I have no engineering prowess but...are there any engineers on these boards who could create a breakout box or something to, as you stated, transcode to DD5.1? Sell it to Sonos users directly. Offer up as a proof of concept, reveal that there is a sizable community willing to buy it, and, ultimately, license it to Sonos? Anyone?
If the LG doesn't do it...I'm beginning to feel the same way as you.
I have no engineering prowess but...are there any engineers on these boards who could create a breakout box or something to, as you stated, transcode to DD5.1? Sell it to Sonos users directly. Offer up as a proof of concept, reveal that there is a sizable community willing to buy it, and, ultimately, license it to Sonos? Anyone?
I figured as much after reading the Sony manual online. Well, the new LG 4k player is supposed to be released on Monday the 6th. I'm going to wait and see if it has this feature. If it doesn't than I'll have to strongly consider selling my Sonos system, or maybe I'll try out the Samsung player.
Yeah, if Sonos or anyone could come up with a device to transcode to DD5.1 it would fix this issue. Otherwise I really like the Sonos sound.
Yeah, if Sonos or anyone could come up with a device to transcode to DD5.1 it would fix this issue. Otherwise I really like the Sonos sound.
+1
Hi tom12...I got my upb x800 today and it pains me to share that there doesn't seem to be any dts to dd conversion.
Carson - did you get yours? Am I totally missing an option to allow this?
Worse still, the player is definitely a cut above the Samsung K8500. Build is solid, it's quick, and the picture is beautiful. Close in quality to the Oppo, making it a terrific bargain - but not a viable option for Sonos users.
With Sonos, seemingly, stuck in the audio codec dark ages, it's just becoming more and more painful to stay loyal.
Sonos - just an hdmi breakout box - it could change our world!
Carson - did you get yours? Am I totally missing an option to allow this?
Worse still, the player is definitely a cut above the Samsung K8500. Build is solid, it's quick, and the picture is beautiful. Close in quality to the Oppo, making it a terrific bargain - but not a viable option for Sonos users.
With Sonos, seemingly, stuck in the audio codec dark ages, it's just becoming more and more painful to stay loyal.
Sonos - just an hdmi breakout box - it could change our world!
I saw just saw that the Sony site had the user manual available for the new UBP-X800 4K player. After looking at the audio output options, the only "downmix" option is to 2 channel, or the fake surround mode of Dolby Pro Logic or NEO:6. Bummer.
So, I either have to settle for the Samsung K8500 which is a mediocre player at best or maybe it's time to sell my Sonos system on ebay and get a "real" sourround system. Because DD5.1 is already old and it's just going to get harder and harder finding hardware that can interface with it.
Sony manual
https://esupport.sony.com/US/p/model-home.pl?mdl=UBPX800&template_id=1®ion_id=1&tab=manuals#/manualsTab
So, I either have to settle for the Samsung K8500 which is a mediocre player at best or maybe it's time to sell my Sonos system on ebay and get a "real" sourround system. Because DD5.1 is already old and it's just going to get harder and harder finding hardware that can interface with it.
Sony manual
https://esupport.sony.com/US/p/model-home.pl?mdl=UBPX800&template_id=1®ion_id=1&tab=manuals#/manualsTab
Anyone have any update on whether the new Sony X800 has the option to transcode audio to DD5.1?
Sonos is such a great system but the company just seems to be systematically handicapping what could be an entirely brilliant, home theater solution by not allowing access to updated technology.
If I get my player first, I'll report the outcome.
Sonos - please, hear our plea!
I agree completely. I went through and returned 2 other wireless 5.1 systems (Vizio & Sony) before I tried Sonos. I won't go into the details of how lousy they were. The Sonos system is brilliant. Sounds great and also has far better software/firmware than the competition. But it has this one painful exception and extremely frustrating limitation. I was gutted when I saw the same lack of inputs with the brand new PlayBase. What are they smoking over there?
I hope soon you'll have good news to report.
+1
Hi Carson. I have the sony upb x800 on order, as well - arriving this week. I saw that unboxing video so I'm not that hopeful. And, as it's looking like the "playbase" may offer no updated audio technology, I'm a bit in shock. I hope I'm wrong.
Sonos is such a great system but the company just seems to be systematically handicapping what could be an entirely brilliant, home theater solution by not allowing access to updated technology.
If I get my player first, I'll report the outcome.
Sonos - please, hear our plea!
Sonos is such a great system but the company just seems to be systematically handicapping what could be an entirely brilliant, home theater solution by not allowing access to updated technology.
If I get my player first, I'll report the outcome.
Sonos - please, hear our plea!
Ugh. Thanks Carson. I'll be waiting for your update. I still have my fingers crossed that the soon to be released LG player will have this function.
And the frustration continues - my sony upb x800 bluray is on order. I expect it monday or tues. However, looking around online, I found an unboxing video on YouTube where someone goes through all the menu items of this player - doesn't seem the "convert" function is there among the audio options. Unbelievable. Will confirm, of course, when I get my player.
Unimaginable that we Sonos playbar owners' only option for watching 4K movies in DTS is with one Samsung bluray player at this point.
Unimaginable that we Sonos playbar owners' only option for watching 4K movies in DTS is with one Samsung bluray player at this point.
I'd think that if this "playbase" is to be released soon, the specs for it would have been locked down long before the new CEO took the job.
But I'm also reserving judgement, and hoping that these pictures are fakes. I'll be very disappointed if it's just a form factor change, and not some substantive other changes. I'm anxious for an official statement from Sonos on the device. But I'm not going to hold my breath, either. They have the potential for grabbing another couple of thousand of dollars from my bank account, if it's great. If it's a simple refactoring of the current stuff, I don't see any need to get my wallet out.
But I'm also reserving judgement, and hoping that these pictures are fakes. I'll be very disappointed if it's just a form factor change, and not some substantive other changes. I'm anxious for an official statement from Sonos on the device. But I'm not going to hold my breath, either. They have the potential for grabbing another couple of thousand of dollars from my bank account, if it's great. If it's a simple refactoring of the current stuff, I don't see any need to get my wallet out.
I too noticed the optical only input on the Playbase shots released. I'm withholding my outrage for now as these are unconfirmed shots and could be for a prototype.
I find it hard to believe that even with the new CEO taking the company in a new direction they could make such a glaring mistake. Hopefully there is either an HDMI port, a software work around (which is probably impossible) or an additional component box being released that connects to Sonos Playbars and Playbases that can convert non-dolby 5.1 inputs from other sources into Optical friendly DD 5.1.
I think the last option would be the best one as it would allow loyal Sonos customers who have the Playbar to finally have a working solution to easily and effectively get surround sound for their home theatre systems.
I find it hard to believe that even with the new CEO taking the company in a new direction they could make such a glaring mistake. Hopefully there is either an HDMI port, a software work around (which is probably impossible) or an additional component box being released that connects to Sonos Playbars and Playbases that can convert non-dolby 5.1 inputs from other sources into Optical friendly DD 5.1.
I think the last option would be the best one as it would allow loyal Sonos customers who have the Playbar to finally have a working solution to easily and effectively get surround sound for their home theatre systems.
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