Adding 7.1, 9.1, etc. to Playbase/Playbar

I think the issue is first that higher codecs won't fit through the optic cable, they'd have to be carried by some other connection (like HDMI).

It's also likely, as has been discussed in another thread, that there would be additional licensing issues for Sonos, since they make it fairly easy to group your TV output with other speakers

Wikipedia has a good explanation:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOSLINK

Am I correct in assuming that adding 7.1, 9.1, etc. to Playbase/Playbar is not possible with a software update? You need new hardware from Dolby?

Thanks in advance!

You are correct, you'll need a proper home cinema system for that.

Sonos IS a 'proper' home cinema system. All systems have their pros and cons, and no particular limitation disqualifies a system from being 'proper'.

If the time comes when there's only HDMI TV's I'm sure there will be a device you can plug into the TV's HDMI-ARC socket and extract/ convert to 5.1. Personally 7.1 support is not an issue for me (although it would be nice..).

Sonos IS a 'proper' home cinema system. All systems have their pros and cons, and no particular limitation disqualifies a system from being 'proper'.

It really isn't. Ignoring the additional spekers, I don't know of any cinemas that still use Dolby Digital - this has been the case for many years. Sonos ever reworded the PLAYBAR description on the website after launch as it made such claims, which weren't accurate.

It initially said "full-theater sound" which simply wasn't true as theatres use DTS etc. They also claimed "plays everything that is connected to your TV" which soon became clear wasn't the case.

They've since put some "home cinema" claims back on the page, but it's carefully linked to an FAQ full of disclaimers regarding DTS etc.

http://www.sonos.com/en-gb/home-theater-faqs.html

I don't know of any cinemas showing a 55" screen in a 15 * 10 room with a nice comfy sofa to sit on.

Cinemas don't use dolby because of the large space and significantly more sound channels so the comparison is rather pointless. Sonos 5.1 sounds great.
Not as good as DTS! Why? What can you hear? One will sound different to the other but better? I don't think so.

I don't know of any cinemas showing a 55" screen in a 15 * 10 room with a nice comfy sofa to sit on.

Cinemas don't use dolby because of the large space and significantly more sound channels so the comparison is rather pointless. Sonos 5.1 sounds great.
Not as good as DTS! Why? What can you hear? One will sound different to the other but better? I don't think so.

DTS has approximately double the bitrate of Dolby Digital, hence sounds significantly better.

Home cinema in this context refers to home cinema audio - i.e. cinema audio in your own home. In the '90s this consisted of Dolby Pro-logic systems then around the turn of the millenium this became Dolby Digital and DTS. IN the '10s things moved on to uncompressed audio formats like Dolby True-HD and DTS-HD MA and now we're moving on the "3d" audio formats like Atmos and DTS:X.

For the most part, Playbar offers 90's home cinema.

For the most part, Playbar offers 90's home cinema.

And at a cost that is higher than several amp / speaker packages available.

All these arguments may or may not be valid. My objection was purely to the completely subjective judgement as to what constitutes a 'proper' system. Having DTS and 7.1 makes a system... a system with DTS and 7.1. It doesn't qualify it for an official stamp saying 'proper'.

Saying Sonos isn't a 'proper' home cinema system is just a meaninglessly disparaging comment. You are perfectly entitled of course to continue to highlight its limitations at every opportunity if you wish.