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Avrodamo
Contributor I
January 7, 2017
Question

How can i get my Sonos 5.1 and Mac Mini to give me 5.1DD

  • January 7, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 618 views
Hi Everyone,
I just invested in a Sonos 5.1 System which i am feeding with my 2011 Mac Mini and into my rather dated Samsung LA40C530 using HDMI. Although the system sounds great and works just fine i am not able to get 5.1DD. It is just outputting in Stereo.
I have many threads on here about how this can be corrected, but what is the best option for this setup? Buy a new TV? Buy an Octava switch? or something else? or even am i doing something wrong?
I just want to make sure that what i buy is the right kit to get the 5.1 sound up and running with this setup.
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    3 replies

    Stuart_W
    Stuart_W
    World-Class Superstar
    January 7, 2017
    Well first of all you need to identify if the Mac mini is outputting DD5.1 audio. Then you need to determine if your TV i capable of passing a DD 5.1 signal through via HDMI in to the optical output. Check the specs of both devices and take it from there
    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
      AvrodamoAuthor
      Contributor I
      January 7, 2017
      The Mac is capable of sending 5.1DD, but it only sending out at the moment 2 channel stereo via the HDMI to the TV. If however the TV is not able to pass a 5.1 signal then i suspect the Mac will default to the 2 channel signal automatically. I may try bypassing the TV as a test with the optical cable and put it straight to the Playbar from the mac, which has an optical output on it. However i really want it going through the TV so i can put the PS4 etc through the Playbar as well. The TV is 7 years old so i suspect its not up to the jpb perhaps
      AvrodamoAuthor
      Contributor I
      January 13, 2017
      I decided to just go for the Octava HDMI switch. Problem instantly solved. System came alive!!
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