HDMI inputs needed

Oppo 103D and up and other brands. I am not making an argument for SACD, I don't own any of them. Just a response to your comment. I aim much more into Video+Audio like the majority of the people that use the soundbars for. They are primarily advertised as being placed/mounted directly below a flat panel HDTV. ALL HDTV's use HDMI for inputs. The majority of cable type companies have HDMI outputs, Blu-Ray is in HDMI, Ps4 is HDMI, and more from there. Right now the only one that is not using HDMI is Sonos. Paradigm is using HDMI and is introducing a new new great spundbar. For the price of the Sonos system, HDMI is little to suggest. I am just trying to get Sonos to know what current users are thinking.

@Sageguy. You are probably right that having more inputs to the Playbar would simplify things for some users and enhance the product. But this has been asked for since the day the Playbar was launched, and Sonos clearly decided that "simplicity for the masses" was the way to go. None of us knows if overall that was a good or a bad decision

I'm baffled as to what you mean by "Blu-Ray is HDMI" etc. Most Blu-Ray players have both HDMI and optical outputs, and to the best of my knowledge so does the PS4. I just don't think that is a meaningful comment, let alone an accurate one.

If someone really wants proper surround sound from all their input devices then an HDMI switch with digital optical output, or purely optical switch can be used. It's a bit of a nuisance that it's necessary, but it works.

My "what SACD players" comment was meant in sarcasm. I know there are players out there that have the tick box to cater to audiophiles, just as there are still players that probably read VCD. But that means nothing in the face of the fact that SACD was a complete commercial failure that no one should be citing as a justification for any modern company to change a product line.

As to the rest, you are not stating anything I didn't say the very day the Playbar was released. I have given up since then, secure in the realization that the Playbar was not meant for my needs and wants in HT. Then again, until/unless Sonos gives true 5.1 or 7.1 separates for HT, they will probably never meet my needs and wants. That's not on them, the Playbar works quite well for those who like it. It's probably the case that if Sonos thought there was a large enough group who felt differently, they'd do something about it. I'm sure they know their market far better than a few posts on a forum can reveal.

I feel so many people are using soundbars to replace or become some type of surround system. After one pays for a playbar+sub+connect amp or additional powered speakers for rears, one has spent as much as an actual low priced system would cost. Many of us are using HDMI inputs from our Blu-Ray players, set-top boxes or Roku. Many not brand new HDTV's don't pass through the audio signal received via HDMI, e.i., 5.1 Dolby, 7.1 Dolby, though the HDTV optical out. The only input on Sonos playbar from the is optical. Most of the newest playbars and even the older ones have HDMI inputs and and HDMI pass through. I have a Panasonic TC-P65ZT60 that has the best picture you can get without going way up to OLED but it doesn't pass through the audio. It dumbs down everything to stereo or PCM. I have a few things to figure out.

I have some sympathy with your comments, @Sageguy, but in the end it's a free market and there is always the option not to buy the product. There are workarounds - generally involving HDMI or optical switches - that will sort out most issues for most people.

@John B I understand the free market process and I am in that process also. Any new HDTV's I purchase will make sure they pass through on optical and in the mean time I am working with issues using switches etc.

OK. If you need advice there's bound to be someone here who can help.

Maybe playbar2 this year, surly must include hdmi 2 and 4K passthrough.

Agreed @tom12