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saho
Contributor I
August 13, 2017
Question

Convert Any Audio to DD 5.1

  • August 13, 2017
  • 8 replies
  • 1216 views
This is not to get into the debate of why Sonos created a home theater system that only supports a codec that a minority of the market uses. I love the system overall, but I do find the way it handles so round sound to be really frustrating and un-sonos.

Anyway, before I invest in the sub I wanted to know if a device exists that will take whatever codec its fed and trans-code to DD 5.1. Ideally, it would go TV->HDMI to Magic Device -> Optical to Playbar.

This device would basically just detect whatever it's being fed and spit out DD. I know this can be done on some dvd players, but that seems like it's just for the DVD player. I'd like this to work on any device. For example, I just discovered that my switch outputs PCM 5.1, which, of course, Sonos can't handle.
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    8 replies

    Insertusernamehere
    Insertusernamehere
    August 13, 2017
    This is not to get into the debate of why Sonos created a home theater system that only supports a codec that a minority of the market uses. I love the system overall, but I do find the way it handles so round sound to be really frustrating and un-sonos.

    Anyway, before I invest in the sub I wanted to know if a device exists that will take whatever codec its fed and trans-code to DD 5.1. Ideally, it would go TV->HDMI to Magic Device -> Optical to Playbar.

    This device would basically just detect whatever it's being fed and spit out DD. I know this can be done on some dvd players, but that seems like it's just for the DVD player. I'd like this to work on any device. For example, I just discovered that my switch outputs PCM 5.1, which, of course, Sonos can't handle.

    I believe what you would be looking for exists in the form of a home theater receiver.
    passopp
    passopp
    August 14, 2017
    A Sony PlayStation or Microsoft Xbox can also be used for on the fly transcoding.
      sahoAuthor
      Contributor I
      August 20, 2017
      A Sony PlayStation or Microsoft Xbox can also be used for on the fly transcoding.

      Have you got the PS4 to actually do that? No matter what I do I don't end up with dolby on the sonos system when I'm going PS 4 HDMI -> tv -> Sonos. The TV will pass dolby 5.1 down the optical.
      passopp
      passopp
      August 20, 2017
      Configuring your PlayStation 4

      Access “Settings” by scrolling to the top right with your PS4 remote.
      Select “Sound and Screen.”
      Select “Audio Output Settings.”
      Select “Primary Output Port.”
      Select “HDMI Out.”
      Set the “Audio Format (Priority)” to “Bitstream (Dolby).”

      Source: https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3837/kw/playstation%203
      sahoAuthor
      Contributor I
      August 20, 2017
      Configuring your PlayStation 4

      Access “Settings” by scrolling to the top right with your PS4 remote.
      Select “Sound and Screen.”
      Select “Audio Output Settings.”
      Select “Primary Output Port.”
      Select “HDMI Out.”
      Set the “Audio Format (Priority)” to “Bitstream (Dolby).”

      Source: https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3837/kw/playstation%203

      Sadly, this doesn't work. I think it has something to do with it passing over HDMI, but I'm not sure. I don't think it's Sonos' fault though.

      I guess there's no real good way to make Sonos reliably do 5.1. I wish I knew about the severe limitation before getting the playbar, but that's life. I'm glad I figured it out before trying to get a sub.
      passopp
      passopp
      August 20, 2017
      Is the optical cable which goes into your Playbar connected to your tv or your PS4?
      sahoAuthor
      Contributor I
      August 20, 2017
      PS4 is HDMI to the TV. TV is optical to the Sonos. I think it would probably work if it were a direct connection to the Sonos, but then the amazon fire stick wouldn't, nor the Nintendo Switch. I could get an optical switch too, but that adds complexity and another remote, which I might do. Just a convoluted thing for a system that's supposed to be "simple" and "just work".
      passopp
      passopp
      August 20, 2017
      Just a convoluted thing for a system that's supposed to be "simple" and "just work".

      I totally agree. Even if Sonos came up with an integrated solution (I honestly don't think it's ever gonna happen) it would probably be already outdated by the time of arrival.
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