DTS should be seen as a UX issue, not a technical one

I am not bringing my question up to be snarky or sarcastic in any way, I really don't know the answer. I've used a Playbar/5.1 setup for a couple of years now and have come across exactly zero instances where the lack of DTS support was a problem.

What sources are being used that are DTS-only (as opposed to offering 5.1 via DTS or Dolby 5.1)? In other words, which sources are there that play nothing through a Playbar because of Sonos' lack of DTS support?

to my knowledge, broadcast TV and streaming services offer Dolby. And DVDs/Blurays offer multiple audio options. The only thing I can think of that is DTS only is ripped DVDs/Blurays that are often pirated.

Again, not trying to push any buttons with people...I would like to better understand.

I'm not sure what the OP is trying to accomplish. UX, technical, philosophical, financial, lifestyle, religious, political; define it any sane or crazy way you like. Sonos isnt supporting DTS. Period. Semantical arguments aren't changing this fact. I came to grips with this (IMHO) bad decision years ago. Anyone else still pining over it should do the same.

Pay the license fee. Support the codec. Make your users lives a little bit easier. (Isn't that what Sonos is all about?)

You make a reasonable and compelling argument. IMO posts like yours may help persuade Sonos over time and you certainly shouldnt refrain from posting- ignore those telling you to shut up.

I couldn't agree more with the OP. I've already posted multiple replies in this forum how frustrating the lack of more modern audio formats is. The Sonos 5.1 has great sound & software otherwise.
I don't think the jdag has played many recent Blu-ray discs. Specially UHD discs. It's becoming more common for the older DD5.1 format to be omitted. It makes sense as DD5.1 is a lossy codec and is used for low bandwidth situations - like streaming.

Ryan from Sonos has posted here recently stating that Sonos is aiming their product at "modern" users who stream all of their video content. Apparently those of use who just bought the latest 4K TV & UHD Blu-ray player are behine the times - go figure?

I don't think the jdag has played many recent Blu-ray discs. Specially UHD discs. It's becoming more common for the older DD5.1 format to be omitted.

You are 100% correct...I do not even have a physical disc player in my home any longer as I moved completely to streaming a couple of years back.

Your point though makes perfect sense, that if DD5.1 is not available on recent Bluray/UHD discs, it would be problematic.

BUT...

This DTS argument has been going on for a long time, since the Playbar was introduced. So there presumably are reasons beyond "recent" discs that people clamor for DTS support.

As mentioned earlier, I am not at all trying to be argumentative. I really would like to understand the need, because for me it is completely irrelevant.

Got'cha.
So this is why I think they really need to address this:
When I put a Blu-ray disc in to watch a movie, unless there is a DD5.1 soundtrack included I hear nothing on my Sonos 5.1 system. No sound. I have to change the audio to my TV's speakers (which don't sound very good). It's becoming more common for recent Blu-ray releases to omit the DD5.1 codec. Specially with the UHD discs. I just bought the new UHD release of Hacksaw Ridge and the used the DD5.1 codec for the Spanish language version! All the English channels are in DTS & Atmos.

I realize that with the Sonos system is not going to do a good job of replicating the performance of a good Atmos or DTS sound track. I just want it to be able to accept this codec and make use of it's 6 channels. Remember, his system is not cheap. It should be able to do this simple task that every other soundbar surround system on the market can do.

Got'cha.
So this is why I think they really need to address this:
When I put a Blu-ray disc in to watch a movie, unless there is a DD5.1 soundtrack included I hear nothing on my Sonos 5.1 system. No sound. I have to change the audio to my TV's speakers (which don't sound very good). It's becoming more common for recent Blu-ray releases to omit the DD5.1 codec. Specially with the UHD discs. I just bought the new UHD release of Hacksaw Ridge and the used the DD5.1 codec for the Spanish language version! All the English channels are in DTS & Atmos.

I realize that with the Sonos system is not going to do a good job of replicating the performance of a good Atmos or DTS sound track. I just want it to be able to accept this codec and make use of it's 6 channels. Remember, his system is not cheap. It should be able to do this simple task that every other soundbar surround system on the market can do.

You are the 1st person I've ever seen state the case in this way. Albeit, I haven't really been overly interested in the DTS argument so have not been very attentive to it.

Pretty much every other complaint has been based on the foundation of "I want DTS because it is 2017".

Sonos have pretty much said they don't see people who actually play physical media as intended customers. Staggering.

I understand that Sonos is focused on streamed content, and that is fine for me for audio. However, where I live the fastest internet available is still ADSL and a 6Mb down/0.8Mb upload at that. This does not allow me to stream any HD video without significant buffering issues. So, I am stuck with physical media if I want to watch HD video content. I presume there are still many people without access to high enough internet speeds for HD video streaming, and I am not alone in this...

I understand that Sonos is focused on streamed content, and that is fine for me for audio. However, where I live the fastest internet available is still ADSL and a 6Mb down/0.8Mb upload at that. This does not allow me to stream any HD video without significant buffering issues. So, I am stuck with physical media if I want to watch HD video content. I presume there are still many people without access to high enough internet speeds for HD video streaming, and I am not alone in this...
About 30% of the US has 0 providers that meet the 25/3 Mbps broadband definition from the US FCC. This is 30% of the United States that aren't likely to be streaming video from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and other sources (yes, I know Netflix really only needs about 5-6 Mbps down, but in areas that don't meet the 25/3 standard, the choice is usually below 5 Mbps, maybe 10 Mbps if lucky). Sonos has more or less alienated 30% of the US with regard to their product by not including DTS support, since yes, it's mostly DVD and Blu-Ray discs that have DTS audio on them.

And even in more populated areas where streaming is very much possible, there are still plenty of people that will go to a Redbox kiosk and rent a disc for $2.

I said it in another post and I'll say it again here. There's no reason for a system as expensive as Sonos to not have support for DTS. Samsung and Vizio have (admittedly not 100% wire-free, but pretty close) 5.1 surround sound soundbar systems that are half the cost of a Playbar alone, much less a Playbar and 2 Play:1's, and they both support DTS. Whatever Sonos' reason is for not supporting DTS, they need to get over it and include support for this codec to make their customers' lives easier. Oh, and Vizio's soundbar system includes Google Cast streaming functionality built-in too.

Supporting PCM 5.1 would also be good, since nearly EVERYTHING that handles surround sound has the ability to send a PCM 5.1 signal, regardless of the source format. If they supported PCM 5.1, then nearly everyone would have nothing to worry about as far as the source audio format is concerned. Talk about making things easy!