Trending Lyricist II

DTS, Dolby 5.1 on Playbar, 2015 edition!

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Hi all

I am writing this post in the hope it may help those struggling with the above issue(s). The first topic which appears on this in Google is the post at https://en.community.sonos.com/home-theater-228993/solving-the-51-dts-issues-with-the-playbar-34523, which is now out of date. For my part I wanted to set out what I did to "resolve" this issue (or more accurately, work around it).

Since the above post, Sonos have written a few useful notes. The most helpful is: https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1945/~/maximizing-playbar-sound-from-your-television.

A further note deals with the XBOX work around (https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2490/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDQxMjA4NzE0L3NpZC9JdER6cXR2bQ%3D%3D) and another provides the details for PS4 (https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3075/related/1).

The Issue

Playbar with 2 Play:1s and a Sub is a 5.1 Surround system. However, because the Playbar connects through a Digitial Out/Toslink/SPDIF, its limited bandwidth prevents it from EVER being compatible with DTS-HD, Dolby True-HD or any other lossless/HD audio. However, it is possible to play Dolby 5.1 providing your TV can output a Dolby Digital signal through the Digital Out.

People realise that they are only listening to Stereo when they go to About My Sonos System and realise that the AUDIO IN listed under PlayBar is STEREO. When its 5.1 it will say Dolby Digital 5.1, or when Dolby Digital 2.0, exactly that.

DTS

DTS will have to be re-coded as Dolby Digital to be played by the PlayBar, else it will be silent (displaying "Audio not supported"). There is no way of playing DTS itself.

Work arounds: My experience

I read the above post and went off to buy a switch (although, this one in the UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DZIXIMQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00, called Portta 4x1 HDMI Switcher with Toslink and Digital Coaxial Port 3D Splitter with Remote and AC Adapter/ 3D 1080P). When I connected my BD-Player to this by HDMI, with my STB and TV, and connected the switch to the Playbar, it started to play 5.1. Result. However, this is a poor solution as you have to manually switch between inputs, have another remote, cannot use a magic remote or the input management system on the TV etc.

I thought about buying an XBOX (which my research indicted is the better media system when compared to PS4) it (with PS4) decodes DTS to DD 5.1 "on the fly.

I also thought about buying the OPPO BDP-103 for a whopping £400 as suggested by the post.

However, there are literally a handful of BD Players which also re-code DTS to DD (please see SONOS's own post). I purchased the Samsung BD-H6500 for a very reasonable sum and can now play DTS easily on the Playbar (obviously, recoded to DD5.1).

I have set my system up as follows. My LG 55EC930V is connected to the Playbar. This TV outputs Dolby Digital (and I think, even Dolby Digital Plus) via Digital Out. I have then connected my Virgin Media STB to the TV via HDMI (STB set to output Dolby Digital Audio) and the BD Player via HDMI, which is set to output recoded DTS.

My issue was that my wired Home Cinema system (Panasonic SC-BTT270) would not output DD as it only had an Optical In, so I had to buy a new player. I highly recommend the one I bought, it plays great.

Also, my Playbar also plays 5.1 from Netflix, Amazon Prime video and Live TV (though, not Youtube for some reason).

Other work arounds

You can also work around the DTS issue by connecting the Playbar to an XBox or PS4, or at worst, a switch.

I hope this helps!!! 🙂

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K

Kpkimmel

Lyricist III

A lot of these arguments are ridiculous. If this is meant to be for non-tech savvy people then they will never understand why they can hear some stuff through their Playbar and not others. If you are going to market part of your business as home theater then you better pony up the dough for licensing of DTS. People willing to drop this kind of coin on speakers and boosters and bridges are people who want the most out of their systems since the price is on point with system that are far more capable as home theaters. If Sonos is strictly saying, "we are for streaming music" then enough said and DTS isn't a concern at all. BUT if i'm dropping 1700.00 on a 5.1 setup for my home theater it better be able to play ALL formats. I can put together a much better sounding system piece by piece for that price. I think the reality is they do not want to pay for DTS licensing, is not because consumers don't want or need it. DTS X is going to be replacing a lot of content that uses DD because it can replicate the same sound as DD Atmos through software alone and not having to buy upward. projecting speakers. Even the NFL is considering DTS over DD for the 2017 season. Good luck football fans with your Sonos system and watching football.

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jgatie

BUT if i'm dropping 1700.00 on a 5.1 setup for my home theater it better be able to play ALL formats. I can put together a much better sounding system piece by piece for that price.

As you should. Most definitely, if you are concerned about playing ALL formats, you should put together your own system piece by piece.

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K

Kpkimmel

Lyricist III

BUT if i'm dropping 1700.00 on a 5.1 setup for my home theater it better be able to play ALL formats. I can put together a much better sounding system piece by piece for that price.

As you should. Most definitely, if you are concerned about playing ALL formats, you should put together your own system piece by piece.

You missed the point, a very expensive system should not of all things not have 'format' limitations.

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Stuart_W

World-Class Superstar

A lot of these arguments are ridiculous. If this is meant to be for non-tech savvy people then they will never understand why they can hear some stuff through their Playbar and not others. If you are going to market part of your business as home theater then you better pony up the dough for licensing of DTS. People willing to drop this kind of coin on speakers and boosters and bridges are people who want the most out of their systems since the price is on point with system that are far more capable as home theaters. If Sonos is strictly saying, "we are for streaming music" then enough said and DTS isn't a concern at all. BUT if i'm dropping 1700.00 on a 5.1 setup for my home theater it better be able to play ALL formats. I can put together a much better sounding system piece by piece for that price. I think the reality is they do not want to pay for DTS licensing, is not because consumers don't want or need it. DTS X is going to be replacing a lot of content that uses DD because it can replicate the same sound as DD Atmos through software alone and not having to buy upward. projecting speakers. Even the NFL is considering DTS over DD for the 2017 season. Good luck football fans with your Sonos system and watching football.

Twaddle, well written twaddle but still twaddle.

Here's why. Sonos have made the Playbar to connect to the TV via Toslink (optical). None of those will be passing DTS so why would you expect the Playbar to be able to decode it?

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Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2

K

Kpkimmel

Lyricist III

A lot of these arguments are ridiculous. If this is meant to be for non-tech savvy people then they will never understand why they can hear some stuff through their Playbar and not others. If you are going to market part of your business as home theater then you better pony up the dough for licensing of DTS. People willing to drop this kind of coin on speakers and boosters and bridges are people who want the most out of their systems since the price is on point with system that are far more capable as home theaters. If Sonos is strictly saying, "we are for streaming music" then enough said and DTS isn't a concern at all. BUT if i'm dropping 1700.00 on a 5.1 setup for my home theater it better be able to play ALL formats. I can put together a much better sounding system piece by piece for that price. I think the reality is they do not want to pay for DTS licensing, is not because consumers don't want or need it. DTS X is going to be replacing a lot of content that uses DD because it can replicate the same sound as DD Atmos through software alone and not having to buy upward. projecting speakers. Even the NFL is considering DTS over DD for the 2017 season. Good luck football fans with your Sonos system and watching football.

Twaddle, well written twaddle but still twaddle.

Here's why. Sonos have made the Playbar to connect to the TV via Toslink (optical). None of those will be passing DTS so why would you expect the Playbar to be able to decode it?

You are very misinformed. Many TV's pass DTS via optical (toslink). For instance my LG OLED 9500 will pass through DTS just fine over optical.

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K

Kpkimmel

Lyricist III

Also on their website it says "iPlays all sources plugged in to your HDTV: cable/SAT boxes, Blu-Ray players, and video game consoles. If it’s connected to your HDTV, PLAYBAR will play it.", which is not correct.

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jgatie

[You missed the point, a very expensive system should not of all things not have 'format' limitations.

I don't disagree with you. But that does nothing to change the fact it doesn't and if you are looking to play all formats, you should seek an alternative system. I stated this very fact the day the Playbar was released, and despite accusations of being the biggest Sonos shill going, I have not wavered in my view. Playbar, despite its expense, is marketed towards those who want an easy to set up 5.1 system, and suffers from the limitation of not being able to play DTS and lossless Blu-ray formats. If these are important to you, get another system. Quite frankly, if one is a HT aficionado, I wonder why they would be getting a soundbar instead of separates in the first place. Hardcore HT fans laugh at soundbar setups.

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K

Kpkimmel

Lyricist III

[You missed the point, a very expensive system should not of all things not have 'format' limitations.

I don't disagree with you. But that does nothing to change the fact it doesn't and if you are looking to play all formats, you should seek an alternative system. I stated this very fact the day the Playbar was released, and despite accusations of being the biggest Sonos shill going, I have not wavered in my view. Playbar, despite its expense, is marketed towards those who want an easy to set up 5.1 system, and suffers from the limitation of not being able to play DTS and lossless Blu-ray formats. If these are important to you, get another system. Quite frankly, if one is a HT aficionado, I wonder why they would be getting a soundbar instead of separates in the first place. Hardcore HT fans laugh at soundbar setups.

Still missing the point, i have an 11.1 system for my home theater. A center channel that cost as much as a BW center channel/soundbar should be able to play DTS.

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R

Roel Jetten

Trending Lyricist I

That's right! and Sonos also marketing that you have a complete 5.1 surround set if you add 2 play 1 or 2 play 3 speakers .If I want to hear a blueray music concert then I want the real DTS sound its much better audio quality. I do not connect the Playbar to my led tv but straight to my dreambox (toslink) why? because the dreambox puts out DD and DTS through Optical and my Samsung led Tv not.But still Sonos have not the DTS Licence...
again this simple question how much work will it cost to support DTS for the Sonos Playbar?

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jgatie

[Still missing the point, i have an 11.1 system for my home theater. A center channel that cost as much as a BW center channel/soundbar should be able to play DTS.

Again, not missing the point. I agree with you. But whether I agree with you or not, the fact is IT DOESN'T PLAY DTS! So you have two choices; futilely keep complaining about it here, long after Sonos has officially stated it will never support DTS, or you can cut your losses and go get a setup that meets your needs.

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