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studiomatthewbrooks
Contributor I
November 17, 2020

LG C9 + Arc + UB820 / Multichannel PCM for DTS Blu-Ray discs

  • November 17, 2020
  • 344 replies
  • 32087 views

I’m running an LG C9 with a Panasonic UB820 Blu-ray player, Sonos Arc + Sub gen 3 + One SL surrounds. The lack of DTS support on the Arc has been frustrating for non Dolby encoded Blu-ray discs, so I have been eagerly awaiting the multichannel PCM update.

It’s finally arrived (thanks, Sonos!) and I tried playing a DTS encoded Blu-ray and… no dice. Still stereo PCM 2.0. Has anyone running a similar set-up managed to get 5.1 PCM output from the Arc?

The C9 supports eARC and multichannel PCM, I’m using 48gbps HDMI cables that support up to 8k60Hz, all of the devices are up to date, I have the C9 set to PCM with eArc enabled, DTS output set to PCM on the UB820… I’m really at a loss here. Any ideas or suggested settings?

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    344 replies

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    JockWu
    Trending Lyricist I
    January 28, 2021

    Interestingly some guy on Reddit owns a CX and said that

    “If you set the TV earc to passthrough and then unplug the TV from power for a few seconds. It will start miraculously playing whatever the number of channels you expect.”

     

    I haven’t got round to testing it yet

     

    M wife wanted to watch All About Eve (which has a DTS-HDMA 5.1 track) so on a whim I decided to unplug my CX for a few seconds. Guess what, the Sonos app says Multichannel PCM 7.1!!

    I’m not sure All About Eve is known for its spectacular surround sound, so next, I’ll try it with Die Hard or another DTS disc.

     

    Stay tuned...

    What type of UHD Blu Ray player are you running?

     

    Sorry, should have mentioned I have the Sony ubp-x800m2. Audio output set to PCM (Auto gives me silence).

    GuitarSuperstar
    Lead Maestro
    January 28, 2021

    @JockWu Could you not get multichannel PCM from DTS-encoded discs from your Sony player before you did the unplugging trick?

    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
    JockWu
    Trending Lyricist I
    January 28, 2021

    @JockWu Could you not get multichannel PCM from DTS-encoded discs from your Sony player before you did the unplugging trick?

     

    That’s correct - the LG CX seemed to have trouble outputting multichannel PCM to the Arc.

    GuitarSuperstar
    Lead Maestro
    January 28, 2021

    @JockWu Could you not get multichannel PCM from DTS-encoded discs from your Sony player before you did the unplugging trick?

     

    That’s correct - the LG CX seemed to have trouble outputting multichannel PCM to the Arc.

    That’s interesting. This is the first I have heard anyone have the problem with a Sony player. Everyone on this thread has the Panasonic UB820 player.

    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
    JockWu
    Trending Lyricist I
    January 28, 2021

    @JockWu Could you not get multichannel PCM from DTS-encoded discs from your Sony player before you did the unplugging trick?

     

    That’s correct - the LG CX seemed to have trouble outputting multichannel PCM to the Arc.

    That’s interesting. This is the first I have heard anyone have the problem with a Sony player. Everyone on this thread has the Panasonic UB820 player.

    Yeah, when I press Display on the Sony remote, it says the audio being output is LPCM 5.1. Previously, LPCM 5.1 from the Sony resulted in silence on the Arc.

    JockWu
    Trending Lyricist I
    January 28, 2021

    OK, I have confirmed that multichannel PCM is coming through the Arc after unplugging the power cord for a few seconds.

    My Sonos system is Arc + 2 x One SLs + Sub (Gen 3).

    I have a Sony ubp-x800m2 UltraHD player → LG 65 inch CX OLED TV (2020 model). The LG is connected to the Arc via HDMI 2 (the eArc port).

    For testing, I’m using the Saving Private Ryan (Sapphire Series) blu-ray which has English 5.1 DTS-HD MA.

    Settings

    Sony

         Digital Audio Out: PCM (rather than bitstream)

    LG

         eArc: ON

         HDMI Audio Input: Bitstream

         Digital Audio Output: Pass Through

     

    The Sony display says “LPCM 5.1”, while the Sonos app says the sound is Multichannel PCM 7.1. I’m guessing it’s not actually 7.1, but I’m also just glad that I can get multichannel PCM without having to wait for a firmware fix or Arcana. All those DTS 5.1 tracks can now be utilised!

    Hope this helps. And hopefully this solves the issue permanently.

      Chetiya
      Lyricist III
      January 28, 2021

      @JockWu

       

      To clarify, you have to unplug before each test attempt? How long does it work for before you need to unplug again?

      Chetiya
      Lyricist III
      January 28, 2021

      Sadly, no joy for me with the Panasonic using this unplug method...

      iBoyley
      Trending Lyricist I
      January 28, 2021

      Did you have everything else on/movie loaded on the Panasonic before then unplugging the TV?

      JockWu
      Trending Lyricist I
      January 28, 2021

      @JockWu

       

      To clarify, you have to unplug before each test attempt? How long does it work for before you need to unplug again?

      No, I only unplugged the one time. I’ve only tested it on 2 discs so far (All About Eve and Saving Private Ryan). Will check if it’s still working and test on more discs later today.

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