All,
Would you mind listing your TV and mode/year in this thread if you have tested it and confirmed it will pass DD 5.1 to the Playbar and from what source. This will help those of us in the market for a new TV and playbar.
Thanks
MikeB.
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Not only does my Vintage 2008 Sony KDL40S4100 not pass any HDMI audio thru the optical, but HDMI 2 & 3 don't handle HDMI from my Roku box properly. I've always used an AVR, so I've just used HDMI 1. But I'm on a mission to get rid of the AVR, and only found these quirks when I rewired without the AVR. I've ordered a new TV that MagnoliaAV promises will have no limitations, but won't be able to test until Wednesday
be sure to test it IN STORE like I did. Sony AND Sonos tech support swore on a stack of bibles the Sony TV would work and it didn't. The specs say it'll pass 5.1, but it passes 5.1 from either its tuner or at best component. Im fairly certain without illegally stripping the HDMI signal, you can forget optical 5.1.
I'm having good luck with an HDMI switch that outputs 5.1 through optical output:
This is the one I'm using right now and it works but I'm having to restart it a few times which is annoying, especially for my wife and kids -
http://jtechdigitalinc.store.rakuten...242768954.html
I have this on order in hopes it is more reliable -
http://octavainc.com/blog-hdmi-switch-extender/?p=432
Are you saying that both of these units which successfully redirect audio from HDMI sources to the optical out with 5.1 support (verified by me in the Sonos app) are somehow doing something illegal?
I've been using one of these to get around the lack of TV optical - works fine, passes the 5.1, no issues so far
http://www.kenable.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=110_225&products_id=6372
http://www.kenable.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=110_225&products_id=6372
- LG 55LX9500
- Samsung PN43D490
- Samsung UN55C6500VF
- Sony 46EX400
- Sony KDL32EX400
- Sony KDL46EX400
- Sony KDL55EX500
- Sony KDL xxNX800/KDL-xxNX810
- Vizio XVT3D554SV
- Vizio E601i-A3
These have worked with external components such as, Bluray, Apple TV and Cable boxes.
I added my 60" Vizio e601i-a3 to the list. I am sure the 70" version works the same. I had to go deep into audio settings to change optical out from PCM to Dolby Digital. But it does indeed work now.
For people who do not need optical audio input, this is quite good:
http://www.marmitek.com/en/product-details/audio-video-at-home/connect/multiple-av-devices/connect-421.php
Is ARC compatible, 5.1 passthru and has 1 optical output. You can connect 4 HDMI devices.
http://www.marmitek.com/en/product-details/audio-video-at-home/connect/multiple-av-devices/connect-421.php
Is ARC compatible, 5.1 passthru and has 1 optical output. You can connect 4 HDMI devices.
You would also need to make sure that the specifications of these listed sets are the same throughout different countries. I do know that Panasonic have different specs for their sets in the states than we have here in the UK and ours are different to the European ones too a lot of the time.
Sony 55" HX925 working fine - albeit with "TV Volume is fixed" message in the bottom right corner when changing volume with TV remote.
Can you re-program your Sony remote ? Does it has the flick switch between TV/CD/DVD etc so that the volume controls send out a different IR signal for the Playbar to learn, and the TV to ignore ?
Use some other brand of remote to learn into the Playbar. If you are using a cable remote, learn the commands from a receiver into the playbar that way the TV button still turns the TV, and set the punch through volume to the receiver. Works great with Time Warner remotes. If you are using a universal remote, set a device in your programming for a different brand of TV and label it Soundbar, then learn that into the playbar.
I have the playbar working on the LG 47LM6700, 55LM6700, 60LM7200, 55LV5500, 47LV5500, all with 5.1 with sources connected via HDMI from BluRays, Cable Boxes, and DirecTV.
I am using this HDMI switch with Optical out: Monoprice 4X1 HDMI Switcher w/ Toslink & Digital Coaxial Port (Rev.2) w/ 3D support
Note that it will also allow you to change to stereo from 5.1 in the event that you want to play a DTS film through the Playbar.
Note that it will also allow you to change to stereo from 5.1 in the event that you want to play a DTS film through the Playbar.
My Sharp 70" Aquos LC-70LE732U works flawlessly. The remote for my Bell satellite receiver synced automatically and the volume button controls the PlayBar sound level like it should. The best part of the whole set up is the great sound from the PlayBar. One of the best purchases that I have ever made.
I have the same TV, I am only getting simulated surround PCM right now. How did you turn it on for the full 5.1?
Hi, im in a similar position in so much as i transfer over a single HDMI various sources from one room to another - the TV in my bedroom where I want the playbar is a toshiba RL853b - will that send 5.1 from the HDMI source to the optical output?
Have emailed Toshiba but had nothing back in their quoed 2 day turn around time.
Thanks
Have emailed Toshiba but had nothing back in their quoed 2 day turn around time.
Thanks
I am very happy with the PCM sound right now so I didn't do anything except hook up the digital cable. When someone comes up with a better idea I might try it but for now the sound I am getting from the PlayBar is much improved over my old soundbar.
Ok, It was just confusing as this thread is for TV's that pass full 5.1, most all tv's push PCM. I got my hopes up that my sharp would, but nope.
Just spent some $. ADDING to the Playbar and sub...
Bought 2 play 3's, play 5, 60" samsung 7500 smart tv.
And guess what? Samsung disables DD 5.1 to optical when input is HDMI. Can you believe that? Yep, Im pretty pissed. SO scratch Samsung from this list. PCM only... Which sounds like a cheap stereo system playing thru the Sonos...
Bought 2 play 3's, play 5, 60" samsung 7500 smart tv.
And guess what? Samsung disables DD 5.1 to optical when input is HDMI. Can you believe that? Yep, Im pretty pissed. SO scratch Samsung from this list. PCM only... Which sounds like a cheap stereo system playing thru the Sonos...
Bought 2 play 3's, play 5, 60" samsung 7500 smart tv.
And guess what? Samsung disables DD 5.1 to optical when input is HDMI. Can you believe that? Yep, Im pretty pissed. SO scratch Samsung from this list. PCM only... Which sounds like a cheap stereo system playing thru the Sonos...
Bypass the tv altogether. I just bought an optical switch to get around my Samsung TV. I am happy, happy, happy.
Here's a $250 switcher that might work. The company specifically advertised it as a strong possibility for use with a Playbar, however they didn't explicitly mention testing it. I feel pretty ridiculous needing to pay $250 for an add-on to a $500 HDTV, when the HDTV manufacturer probably saved $10 by cheaping out on 2.1 over optical output, and the workaround involves me spending 50% of the cost of the TV on an external device that makes life significantly more complicated due to needing to work the switch to change sources when it could be done within the TV itself. Although since it's seemingly impossible to know what TVs support 5.1 over optical, this might be the only way.
http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI%20switch%204x1%20ARC%20port_pro.html
http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI%20switch%204x1%20ARC%20port_pro.html
Vizio XVT553SV (55", from 2010) passes Dolby Digital 5.1 to PlayBar.
Hope this helps someone!
Hope this helps someone!
http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI%20switch%204x1%20ARC%20port_pro.html
I have that exact switcher because my current TV doesn't pass any sound from an HDMI source through optical out. It is working reliably and was easy to get working with my harmony remote. My only issue with it is that when I switch inputs it goes through this routine of displaying a full green screen, then some fuzz, then black screen and after about 5 seconds or so the real image is displayed. I find this annoying and just wish it would switch faster or even just display a blank screen until it was ready. This even happens when switching between HD and non-HD channels on the same source sometimes. Annoying. I really just want to find a damn TV that will handle the HDMI switching and output 5.1 but that is proving difficult.
UPDATE
After buying all this stuff, I went back to Magnolia (best Buy) and told them of my frustration. They tried to help me find a switch, but the only ones they found, they didnt sell. So they gave me an option... They would buy me a switch from monoprice, OR give me their Oppo 103 Blu-ray player for half off. I figured a switch for $100-$250 or one of the baddest bluray players on the market for the same price.
Yea, long story short, the Oppo streams everything directv can throw at it while upconverting the video to 1080p.
WOW. The Sonos sounds AMAZING!!!
I couldnt be happier! I didnt realize what watching tv was until now.
After buying all this stuff, I went back to Magnolia (best Buy) and told them of my frustration. They tried to help me find a switch, but the only ones they found, they didnt sell. So they gave me an option... They would buy me a switch from monoprice, OR give me their Oppo 103 Blu-ray player for half off. I figured a switch for $100-$250 or one of the baddest bluray players on the market for the same price.
Yea, long story short, the Oppo streams everything directv can throw at it while upconverting the video to 1080p.
WOW. The Sonos sounds AMAZING!!!
I couldnt be happier! I didnt realize what watching tv was until now.
I can confirm that the Sony KDL-37W5500 passes Dolby 5.1 to the Playbar. So, if you have one of these you should be fine!
(I have the Playbar, sub, and 2 rear S3s....sounds great, both for TV and music!)
(I have the Playbar, sub, and 2 rear S3s....sounds great, both for TV and music!)
hi --
Does anyone know if a Sony Bravia KDL46EX500 will pass 5.1 from HDMI Sources to PlayBar? (couln't find the information on Sony's website nor on the TV manual)
-cheers-
Does anyone know if a Sony Bravia KDL46EX500 will pass 5.1 from HDMI Sources to PlayBar? (couln't find the information on Sony's website nor on the TV manual)
-cheers-
Has anyone confirmed any plasma TVs that pass 5.1 through hdmi inputs to their TV? I am looking at upgrading my TV and would prefer plasma over LED.
I currently have a Samsung PN51E7000 that does not pass DirecTV/DVD/Bluray HDMI as 5.1. It only passes 5.1 from Samsung Allshare and Netflix (those are the only streaming services I tested). I did not test OTA.
I currently have a Samsung PN51E7000 that does not pass DirecTV/DVD/Bluray HDMI as 5.1. It only passes 5.1 from Samsung Allshare and Netflix (those are the only streaming services I tested). I did not test OTA.
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