List of TV’s that will pass 5.1 from HDMI Sources to Playbar

Sony Bravia 55W905A supports HDMI pass-through. Just got my 2 Play:1's and a happy user (besides DTS) 😉

Samsung UN65F7100 will pass 5.1 for its internal smart applications like Netflix etc but NOT HDMI inputs like Directv. Instead of the Monoprice switch most have recommended here I wanted something like could mount nicely to the back of the TV. I used the J-Tech Digital HDMI extractor which is 1:1 with the optical stripped and works perfectly on Playbar. I'm new so I cannot post the link yet but it's on Amazon.

Dissapointed to find out that the Samsung UE46ES8000 doesn't pass 5.1 from HDMI sources out of the optical (despite suggestions here otherwise) as the comment above it works fine passing 5.1 from the built in tuner and from smart hub apps like netflix, but wont pass the 5.1 from my SKY+HD box or PS3 for example.

Can anybody/SONOS comment on why some manufactures support this and others don't, is it a hardware limitation of Samsung as they seem to be the main culprit or some licensing issue?

I've just got my first piece of SONOS kit the Play1 and love so much such that I planned and getting the playbar,sub and another play1 to complement it but this is really putting me off.

Folks,

NoBob told me off for posting here about my TV and DD. NoBob I just want to re-iterate that I fully understand 'Surround Sound' formats. What I was pointing out was that if my TV is sending a DD 2.0 to my Playbar, then it is going to send a DD 5.1 to my Playbar as well. DD is DD if it's getting as far as the Playbar, it's getting there, and that surely is what counts! For a clearer explanation see read on. The remainder of my post explains.........

My TV will send DD to my Playbar and Sub, that includes DD 2.0 and DD 5.1 from My Sky+ HD source. Some programmes are transmitted in Stereo only, use 'i' button on your Sky remote to check, you will see HD, W, S or DD (dependant on whether or not the program is being transmitted S=Stereo or DD=Dolby Digital. in the top right of the 'info' display, for those interested the other abbreviations are HD=High Def, W=Widescreen. If the channel is transmitting in Stereo your Playbar will only decode Stereo. If Sky are transmitting a DD signal then you Playbar will decode DD dependant on whether the DD signal is just DD 2.0 Stereo or DD 5.1 Surround Sound. As a general rule of thumb everyday TV programs are either normal Stereo OR DD 2.0, but movies are usually in DD 5.1. The only way to check if you're receiving full DD 5.1 is by using whatever controls your Sonos system in my case an iPAD. Thus I check iPAD SONOS>SETTINGS>ABOUT MY SONOS=PLAYBAR, AUDIO IN: will show Stereo, Dolby Digital 2.0 or Dolby Digital 5.1 dependant on the signal being transmitted by Sky.

To enable Dolby Digital I did the following:
1. Sky SETTINGS>SOUND>DIGITAL AUDIO OUPUT - HDMI=DOLBY D
2. TV MENU>SOUND>ADDITIONAL SETTINGS>DIGITAL AUDIO OUT=DOLBY DIGITAL

ADM, my Sky box is 'at least' 4 years old, it's model number is R007.061.49.00P, version (I assume software) is 4f3101. Is your box running the latest S/W? Mine updates itself periodically, I don't know how to make it 'update' manually.

Apologies for such a long post.

Looking for something between 40"-50" that outputs all sources in 5.1. Any ideas?

I have my eye on the following if anyone has any experience.

Sony KDL-50R550A
Samsung UN50F6400


Simon

ADM, my Sky box is 'at least' 4 years old, it's model number is R007.061.49.00P, version (I assume software) is 4f3101. Is your box running the latest S/W? Mine updates itself periodically, I don't know how to make it 'update' manually.


Sorry for the slow reply - have been out of the country for a while....

Anyway, just checked my software version and it is R005.054.17.00P ! So it must be fairly outdated.

I've just figured out how to make it do a forced update - will see if that adds DD over HDMI... fingers crossed!

It will.

And how do you force the box to manually update? Do share.

--RiDDO

It will.

And how do you force the box to manually update? Do share.

--RiDDO

Sadly, it made no difference whatsoever! Still the same software rev even after the update....it must mean that my (Amstrad) box has the latest rev it can support. Might be time to buy one of the new 2TB boxes...

In any case though, here's how make it update manually:

Unplug the sky box for a minute. Then, while holding the "backup" button on the box itself, plug it back in again. Keep holding the button down for about 15 seconds at which point you should get a message on the TV screen saying "Updating System Software, Please Wait". One you see this, you can release the button. The software upgrade will take around 10-15 minutes, and the box will go through a couple of reboot cycles afterwards, so don't be in a rush. Just let it do it's thing for a while and then it should boot up and be good.

You need to have the phone line attached during the process.

Dissapointed to find out that the Samsung UE46ES8000 doesn't pass 5.1 from HDMI sources out of the optical

Yep, had the same problem with my Samsung so ended up buying a Lindy 4-Way TosLink Digital Optical Audio Switch, which seems to have cured my problems. Even comes with an IR remote to switch inputs. Only downside is yet another small box under my TV, needing a power socket.

I am looking forward to buy a Panasonic L47ETW60 is it really true that they are not able to pass the 5.1 signal through to the playbar and other components?!

Thanks