Beam DD Input Arc Issue

As a guess, there is some setting in the TV that isn’t properly set...or the source material up you’re testing with isn’t in Dolby Digital. I’ve moved away from Sony TVs myself, so I’m no longer as familiar with the settings as I used to be 10 years ago. Can you post a link to the online manual?

The two things I’d be looking at immediately are 1] if BraviaNet, which I think Sony uses as their name for CEC is turned on, and 2] that you’re using a show that’s encoded in Dolby Digital. For instance, test using a Star Wars or Jurassic Park movie, and not a talk show or news show. 

One of the issues I’ve had with my TV recently is the fact that it won’t pass anything ‘higher’ than Dolby Digital from an HDMI input.  But a Sony shouldn’t have that particular issue. What it sounds like at first guess is that CEC isn’t receiving the correct information from the Beam as to what type of signal it is supposed to be sent. The most common reason for that is CEC being turned off on the TV, since you can’t turn it off on the Sonos. 

Oh, I’d also be tempted, on basic principles, in rebooting the TV, by unplugging it from the wall for two minutes, then plugging it back in. TV’s firmware/software is just as susceptible to issues as anything else. 

Thanks for your reply.

Here is a link to the online manual for my TV:-

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/televisions-projectors-lcd-tvs/kdl-32w705c/manuals

I’ve just been through the Bravia Sync options on the TV, and all look to be set to the correct settings. CEC appears to be working properly, I can alter the Beam volume with the Sony TV remote.

I have tested using Disney+, that I believe broadcasts in DD5.1, and tried DVD’s that I know emit DD5.1, I’m still only getting Stereo PCM 2.0.

I have unplugged the TV and left it for 10 minutes, no change when turned back on.

When watching TV via the built in receiver in the Sony TV, I am receiving DD2.0 on the Beam, but still only Stereo PCM 2.0 when watching anything through an ancillary device, PS3, Roku, Virgin Tivo V6.

I’d be very grateful of any more suggestion.

Thank you!

First off, thanks for the link, I think. Struggling my way through all the information. How old is this TV?

Is it possible that the devices that you have sending a signal to the TV are not sending a Dolby Digital signal? Usually, CEC, which I think Sony is calling Bravia sync, should handle that, but there have been cases on these forums where one connected device ‘breaks’ the system for all others. It might be worth testing bu unplugging all HDMI cables except the two, the source device (DVD, not blu-ray is a good choice here) and the HDMI cable to the Beam. Do some testing, and see if at that point you can get Dolby Digital from the TV to the Beam. Once that’s established, the you can add back the other devices to see which one ‘breaks’ it.

In fact, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of testing to actually use the optical output from the TV, going to the adapter that came with the Beam, in order to do some additional testing. Using that connection would break the CEC connection, and certainly allow you to use the settings in the TV set, as well as the devices feeding the TV, without them being overwritten by CEC. 

The issue here is we’re dealing with things upstream of the Beam, and not necessarily in my expertise, you might be better off working with a Sony rep, rather than a Sonos person. 

I do not see you mention any sound settings. The manual is not very helpful in this respect so maybe it is not possible to change anything, but that's where I would look.

Thanks both. I'm just trying things now. I've unplugged everything HDMI except PS3 & Beam, no change.

Watching the new Lion King on DVD, still Stereo PCM 2.0. Started having a look around the in DVD settings, the 'Audio Output Format' was set to 'Linear PCM', I adjusted that to 'Bitstream', and there we have it, DD5.1!! The difference watching the DVD is unbelievable, twice as loud, clearer, and surround through the rears!!

Put a blu ray in, and that started playing in DD5.1 too.

No idea how to get Virgin TiVo V6 or Roku working, not seen a similar option in those settings, if you have any ideas?

Thanks again, really appreciate it!

 Just trying with Roku, and nothing is coming through the Beam as DD5.1. Not Disney+, YouTube etc.

In the settings, HDMI auto detect is saying it is detecting DD, but the Beam is only receiving Stereo PCM 2.0.

I have unplugged all HDMI apart from Roku to TV, then TV to Beam, and unugged TV, no joy.

Any ideas? I'm really stumped, as at least I know now that the Beam can receive DD,as it has from the PS3, but not Roku or Virgin.

I have tried selecting DD as opposed to Auto detect audio, that makes no difference.

I've even used the HDMI lead from the PS3, as I know that one definitely works. 

Thanks 

More playing this evening, and it appears I have missed the obvious.

I tried a few HD channels on the Virgin Tivo V6 box, and I was getting DD5.1.

After reading Roku forums, I tried some content from the free Roku channel - and watching a modern film, lo and behold I was receiving DD5.1.

What I find very unusual is that I’m not receiving it through iPlayer, Disney+, Youtube etc.

Maybe I was just expecting too much. But it would be different if the Beam accepted DD+.

I'm not familiar with the Roku or Virgin Tivo as they are not sold in the Netherlands. There's no settting on the those to get them to emit DD instead of DD+?

I had a measure of success yesterday, in that all my devices are outputting DD2.0/5.1 now.

I am now probably more frustrated though, realising how limited DD5.1 is.

I believe it is the only surround format the Beam will accept, and neither Disney+, YouTube, iPlayer etc etc use DD, only DD+.

So I have a new DD surround sound system that I can't use anywhere near as much as I was looking forward to.

Oh to hear the Mandalorian in 5.1...!

Are there any apps on your TV to test with?

Yes, although as my TV is roughly 5 years old, the apps are limited.

No Disney+ available, but tried YouTube, and the best I could get from that via the TV app was PCM stereo.

Just been doing more reading, and there is so much conflicting info it's unbelievable!

Seen Sonos experts say that anything broadcast in DD+ to a Beam will be automatically downgraded to DD.

Is that accurate?

And if so, from my Roku, why do I recieve DD when sent as DD, but recieve Stereo PCM when DD+ is sent? (From Disney+ etc).

Youtube is always stereo. Chromecast seems te be DD+, so stereo on the Beam.