I just spent over $4k on a Sonos Playbar/ Samsung Q80r “5.1” home theatre setup. Everything is unopened as of yet. I am currently performing setup research.
I ordered this setup based on separate demos of the Samsung and Playbar. Unfortunately, after researching this site, It seems the Playbar’s lack of an HDMI input is a “serious, near fatal flaw”.
During my product research, the retailer said “the Playbar’s reliance on an optical input is a non issue.” However, after studying this site, it seems many TVs brands (e.g., Samsung) do not send a 5.1 signal thru the optical output in instances where the originating input to the TV was delivered via HDMI. Does This means the Sonos Playbar is in some/many/most/all? Instances only capable of producing stereo sound? Is achieving 5.1 is structurally impossible without a work around?
I also read Sonos has no official work around?
Lastly, I read plugging an HDMI extraction device with an Optical output will provide the Sonos optical input with a 5.1 signal.
Is HDMI extraction to optical still the best unofficial non guaranteed workaround?