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Sageguy
Sageguy
Enthusiast I
October 13, 2016
Answered

HDMI inputs needed

  • October 13, 2016
  • 21 replies
  • 3801 views
I would be very pleased if Sonos basically took the AVR (audio visual receiver) question off the table by adding at least three HDMI inputs. They could really knock it out of the park if we could choose how to "scale" the input from HDMI to 1080p, or 2160p HDR 4k and such. I know a bit of a fantasy, but a receiver with power in does the same thing for around $700. Paradigm is coming out with a new soundbar that has HDMI and more according to CNET. Check here if you like. No I don't work for either of them.

:Dhttps://www.cnet.com/products/paradigm-pw-soundbar/preview/
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    Best answer by tom12
    I just think that by adding a HDMI port as a 2nd input would make the Playbar much more flexible for the consumer. DTS, Atmos, aside, we need a HDMI port in case an optical connection isn't viable. In my case I had 2 devices to connect - both had HDMI & Optical outputs. So, I had to buy an external optical switch. It's another thing I have to wire up and use yet another IR remote. If the darn Playbar had a 2nd input (like EVERY other soundbar on the market) I could have avoided this and switched inputs via the Sonos app. That would be a much more elegant solution.

    21 replies

    ratty
    ratty
    October 14, 2016
    Sonos is an audio company. They're on record as saying that they have no plans to touch video.
    Sageguy
    SageguyAuthor
    Enthusiast I
    October 14, 2016
    True about audio company, but many SACD players have more than one HDMI outs so one is used for audio only. Better sound and bandwidth
    Sageguy
    ratty
    ratty
    October 14, 2016
    The alleged 'better sound and bandwidth' of so-called hi-res audio? Sensibly Sonos have also said that they have no plans to touch that either.
    “We’ve looked really hard at it”, says Tom. “Of course we want to make sure we’re not missing anything and we feel pretty good that we’re not. There are arguments you could make about deeper bit depth, but we are unable to make a meaningful argument on sample rate. We tried, we can’t – the math just isn’t there.”

    The science simply doesn't support it.
    Sageguy
    SageguyAuthor
    Enthusiast I
    October 14, 2016
    Ok, Thanks for your reply. My thought is that the majority of people use the soundbar to get much more realistic sound from the new flat panel HDTV's. It works very well but can work even better and sell more if the HDMI issue never came up. Music Surround sound, movies, HBO, Showtime are 50% audio and music is in all the background of their shows. The latest Westworld from HBO had a great background audio of a remake the Stones "Paint it Black". Difficult to enjoy without some type if real audio other than the tv audio.
    Sageguy
    Paulw123
    Paulw123
    Virtuoso
    October 14, 2016
    Well where are sonos going?
    People want one set of speakers to handle everything in their front rooms, not just audio, but visual as well. Maybe they will bring out a playbar2 like that paradigm. A soundbar is the lead in to other surround speaker sales, sub sales, all added gradually as funds allow.
    Then the house is full of only sonos sound products.

    Where else is there to go? £2K floor standers?
      Paulw123
      Paulw123
      Virtuoso
      October 14, 2016
      The latest Westworld from HBO had a great background audio of a remake the Stones "Paint it Black". Difficult to enjoy without some type if real audio other than the tv audio.
      Did it, I missed that, what episode was it, I still have them on the sky box.
      Sageguy
      SageguyAuthor
      Enthusiast I
      October 14, 2016
      Chestnut, episode 2. I always listen to here what is playing on all shows
      Sageguy
      Sageguy
      SageguyAuthor
      Enthusiast I
      October 14, 2016
      It is not the actual Stones version of it. It more like piano acoustic with no words by Mick sung with it but you can definitely here the melody. Many people have noticed it.
      Sageguy
      jgatie
      jgatie
      October 14, 2016
      True about audio company, but many SACD players have more than one HDMI outs so one is used for audio only. Better sound and bandwidth

      What SACD players? SACD is one of the biggest failures in audio history. I hardly think Sonos should bend over backwards to accommodate a format that was declared dead almost 10 years ago.

      That said, the Playbar is lacking (as are all soundbars if one is a HT purist). Sonos wanted a HT for the masses with as little complications as possible. If you are turned off by simplified setup that eschews formats like DTS and instead uses simulated surround, the Playbar is not for you. I have a Playbar in my bedroom, and it is a fine replacement for the crappy TV speakers. My main HT system is receiver based, with a Connect. As it should be, IMHO.
      jgatie
      jgatie
      October 14, 2016
      Well where are sonos going?


      Maybe they are resting on their laurels due to all the kickbacks they get from their Music Partners.

      . . . Oh, wait . . . 😃
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