Skip to main content
McMurdeR
Prominent Collaborator I
May 8, 2020
Question

Beam and S2 - any plans for additional codec support?

S2 is on the horizon and there is talk of support for HD audio - are there any plans to add support for Dolby Digital Plus, LPCM and even DTS over the Beam's HDMI ARC?

It would resolve a lot of long standing issues enabling surround audio with certain Chromecast apps and other devices...

      This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

      18 replies

      Show previous replies
      106rallye
      106rallye
      May 9, 2020

      So there is a chance that the S2 update to Beam will give it Dolby Atoms capability?

      Otherwise, is there an upgrade program- to send in the current Beam and get the Arc at a discount for the price difference?

       

      The Beam has no upfiring speakers.  Even if it could decode Atmos, it has no way of playing it properly. 

      But DD+ would be a possibility for the Beam on S2 software?

        Tejs Dyrvig Ernst
        May 9, 2020

        Theoretically. The HDMI Arc in the Beam should support it. I wouldn’t know in terms of processing power etc.

         

        But again, don’t get your hopes up. Sonos has to this date never updated codec support of any of its home theater speakers since the Playbar was introduced in the beginning of 2013. 

          Vahe
          Vahe
          Lyricist III
          May 9, 2020

          Theoretically. The HDMI Arc in the Beam should support it. I wouldn’t know in terms of processing power etc.

           

          But again, don’t get your hopes up. Sonos has to this date never updated codec support of any of its home theater speakers since the Playbar was introduced in the beginning of 2013. 

           

          That’s a good point, and from what I have read, for a TV to fully support the new Arc bar, the TV needs to handle “eArc” connection, which many TVs do not.  Is this correct? so someone getting the new Arc should make sure their TV handles it first?

          Vahe S.
          Airgetlam
          Airgetlam
          May 9, 2020

          Dolby Atmos can be carried across two different codecs, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby TrueHD. The first can be carried by HDMI ARC, the second requires eARC. 

          My bet at this moment is that when using the Sonos Arc, you won’t be able to tell the difference between the two. If you had a full Atmos setup, using ‘all’ the necessary speakers, it’s possible you might. Or not. For a sound bar system, it seems unlikely that there would be an audible difference.

          Time will tell if I’m correct or not. 

          Bruce
            Tejs Dyrvig Ernst
            May 10, 2020

            Theoretically. The HDMI Arc in the Beam should support it. I wouldn’t know in terms of processing power etc.

             

            But again, don’t get your hopes up. Sonos has to this date never updated codec support of any of its home theater speakers since the Playbar was introduced in the beginning of 2013. 

             

            That’s a good point, and from what I have read, for a TV to fully support the new Arc bar, the TV needs to handle “eArc” connection, which many TVs do not.  Is this correct? so someone getting the new Arc should make sure their TV handles it first?

            As I understand it, the Arc will work fine with a HDMI ARC connection and does not need an eARC connection. However, there are several TV’s that will not be able to pass Atmos over Dolby Digital Plus meaning that it won’t pass over normal ARC. So if your TV does not have an eARC connection it is worth looking into if it’s ARC will carry Atmos before upgrading if Atmos is important. 

            And I agree @Airgetlam: The Arc is merely a soundbar and not a dedicated system with separate in-ceilings etc. and should never be mistaken for full fledged systems. 
             

            The Arc is definitely a highend soundbar but if things like Dolby True HD makes a difference to you, you are likely better of looking at dedicated receivers and a full range speaker setup.

             

              Tejs Dyrvig Ernst
              June 9, 2020

              So, S2 has now arrived and I know several people were speculating if S2 would bring Dolby Digital Plus to the Beam and/or the Amp given support for the format on the Arc. 
               

              Has anyone checked if that was the case or if the Beam and Amp have indeed been left behind as I was expecting?

               

              I might try testing it out myself over the weekend if no one else has given it a try. 

              flyingpadrejr
              Prodigy I
              June 9, 2020

              Beam and Amp have unfortunately been left behind. I have a TV that can output DD+ to my Amp, but when I select this option on the TV (q950r) I get message that the connected device does not support DD+. I’ve read similar reports for the Beam, but can’t test myself since my connected TV won’t output it anyway.

                Tejs Dyrvig Ernst
                June 10, 2020

                Beam and Amp have unfortunately been left behind. I have a TV that can output DD+ to my Amp, but when I select this option on the TV (q950r) I get message that the connected device does not support DD+. I’ve read similar reports for the Beam, but can’t test myself since my connected TV won’t output it anyway.


                That really is disappointing.
                 

                When the Amp was released, I was almost certain that Sonos had prepared it to support whatever would be coming with S2 and the new soundbar lurking around the corner (now known to be the Arc).


                Given the fairly short time between release of the Amp and the Arc, it should have been possible.

                 

                The old Connect:Amp was a key product in Sonos’ lineup for a very long time and I expected the same from the new Amp.

                 

                For me personally, this means I have made my final decision to buy a Pioneer or Onkyo receiver to run my home theater setup in the house we are currently building. Will use a 2. gen Connect to utilize Works with Sonos. 
                 

                Simple can’t justify the price of two Amps to be stuck on DD 5.1 in 2021 (when the house is done).

                 

                For the same price, I can get the receiver, a used 2. gen Connect and a decent third-party sub to replace my Sonos Sub. 

                  Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement