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ceborgen
Contributor I
June 14, 2018
Answered

Beam as a computer speaker

  • June 14, 2018
  • 34 replies
  • 62513 views
Is it possible to use Beam as a computer speaker with the use of hdmi port?
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    Best answer by MikeV
    No reason that couldn't be done, I suppose... if your PC has an optical output.

    34 replies

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    GoldenSyrup92
    GoldenSyrup92
    Contributor I
    July 14, 2019



    Just thought i would share what the Beam looks like as part of a Computer 5.1 setup

    Looks sweet! Can i ask, is the beam playing all audio from your PC?

    If so, how did you set this up?

    I have a similar setup but cant get it working. The PC playback device is set to "Digital Audio (S/PDIF)" Is that the same as yours?    Well i'm not PaulRBoon (obviously), but i also have the dgx soundcard with the sonos beam, so it shouldn't matter. I'll post a screenshot of my setting in the Audio Center below (It's in german, but shouldn't matter because the menus actually should be the same). Porbably you already checked that, but don't forget to change the setting on your 'sound settings' (if you are using windows). Because my graphic card for example has an adio exit too, so I had to manually change it to the soundcard exit.

    Hopefully this will help you

    Thanks for the help.
    I dont have a sound card, I am hoping to use the motherboard optical out.
    Its a MSI z170a M7
    - Realtek® ALC1150 Codec
    - 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
    - Supports S/PDIF output

    Does it have to be dolby for the Beam to recognise the signal?

    IT DOES! to answer my own question...
    All working now, this saved me:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcd7tmyR4CA
      Deichmusik
      Lyricist II
      July 14, 2019
      Ah okay, sorry i misunderstood. If i'm correct the signal has to be in dolby 2.0, 5.1 or PCM stereo. But i think that should not be the problem in your case. I only know that SONOS defentely can't decode DTS (but it still seems to detect DTS signals). Maybe try to modify the sound settings a bit. But i think i'm too much of an amateur to give you any deep knowledge advise, sorry. I remember I had to update the drivers on my soundcard, maybe that helps with your motherboard as well. I'm sorry that i can't really help you with that. Good luck.
      DerrickO
      Lyricist I
      August 18, 2019
      I mounted my Sonos Beam above my Apple Thunderbolt 27 inch display using HTTX female to female optical Toslink digital audio extension cable coupler connector adapter, Wali Universal Soundbar Mount Bracket (SBR201), and Allicaver Wall Mount metal bracket that I picked up on Amazon.

      The Sonos Beam connects to a 2013 Mac Pro 6,1 "Trashcan" via the audio out port using the HDMI to optical cable that comes with the Beam. I use the Toslink coupler to extend the cable in order to mount the Beam above the Thunderbolt monitor on the wall.

      I also use Soundflower on the Mac to use the volume up / down function keys.

      My only complaint is that the Sonos Beam will go to "sleep" after a few minutes if no audio is playing. This gets especially aggravating when trying to watch YouTube videos and you have to wait 2 to 3 seconds for the speaker to wake back up.




      JEPK
      Lyricist I
      February 29, 2020

      So if my motherboard has a optical audio out and I use the included adapter, I will be able to connect the Sonos Beam to my pc without issues?

      controlav
      controlav
      Lead Maestro
      March 1, 2020

      So if my motherboard has a optical audio out and I use the included adapter, I will be able to connect the Sonos Beam to my pc without issues?


      Yes, as long as it is sending DD 2.0 or DD 5.1.

      Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
      axxo
      Contributor I
      June 16, 2020

      I just connected my Sonos Beam to my PC - works like a charm with the Realtek Patch/Unlocker for Dolby Digital 5.1 and optical out on my MSI Mortar Titanium motherboard. The sound if just AMAZING. I’m blown away while gaming :-) Thank you Sonos!

       

       

        Svendsen111
        Contributor I
        June 28, 2020

        I just connected my Sonos Beam to my PC - works like a charm with the Realtek Patch/Unlocker for Dolby Digital 5.1 and optical out on my MSI Mortar Titanium motherboard. The sound if just AMAZING. I’m blown away while gaming :-) Thank you Sonos!

         

         

        Looks amazing!

         

        im thinking about doing a similar setup, but i wonder: with the placement you have on the play one’s, do you just use them as an extra set of stero speakers in a different “room”, and then group the “rooms” to listen to all speakers? Or are they setup as rears?

         

        regards

        DavidsrS15
        Lyricist II
        July 10, 2020

        I am looking to do something similar. However I want a TV wall mounted and the beam connected to both the TV and PC so they can be used independently. Would a small spliter work with this. 

        Airgetlam
        Airgetlam
        July 10, 2020

        Remember, the Beam plays an HDMI ARC signal, and not an HDMI signal. Most PCs don’t send an HDMI ARC signal, that usually requires a TV’s electronics. You could use an HDMI switch with an optical output though, and connect to the Beam using the optical to HDMI ARC adapter that comes with the Beam.

        Bruce
        DavidsrS15
        Lyricist II
        July 13, 2020

        Thanks, I know that, what I want it's to be able to play say YouTube audio or other non music services from pc to beam, but also have a connection to the TV. So I can listen to stuff on pc without having the TV on. 

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