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

I have a Samsung PN60F8500 plasma, and the Dolby option is grayed out. I updated the firmware to v. 1119.1.

I am running HDMI (from a TiVo) to the 8500, then optical out to the Playbar. According to the Sonos About menu, it is coming in as Stereo.

I know Tivo is sending Dolby, but the Samsung is not recognizing it. I by-passed the Samsung and connected the TiVo audio directly to the Playbar, and it is 5:1 using that set up.

Samsung support said 5:1 is NOT supported coming from any DVR. But, people on this thread have been able to get this to work. What am I missing?
Thank you.

As I said earlier in the thread, I can confirm that after the most recent firmware update my Samsung PN60F8500AF now fully supports passing 5.1 from an HDMI source through to the Playbar. When I first bought this TV it would not pass 5.1 from any HDMI source but now it all works great without the need for an HDMI switch, etc.

Hi JJonesx86,

Thanks for confirming that it does actually work. The latest firmware update (in fact the only one on the samsung website) states that the update occured after your post (and does not mention 5.1 SS).

Has you seen any info on the web detailing the latest update and stating that 5.1 will pass through?

Also, I assume this is the case, but you are using the sonos sound bar, the sub, and two other speakers?

Thanks for your help. I was looking to get the TV earlier in the year, and this issue held me up then, maybe it is resolved now!

Clearly a switcher is a solution if all your devices that are attached to you TV via HDMI can now output DD 5.1. It might not be the ideal way for such an expensive piece of kit, but you get to hear soundtracks in true DD5.1. Also with the Samsung Bluray player all DTS Blurays get converted to DD5.1 hence all bases are covered.

"Clearly", a switcher is a solution for YOU. For most others, (and hence the whole point of this thread) paying a lot of money for Sonos' simplicity and elegance - having to spend even more money on an ugly and cumbersome switch, is NOT a solution.

My LG 60PM670S works fine with X-Box , Sky Box or whatever over HDMI to Optical Out DD 5.1

😃

No, you don't. It automatically chooses, for me, the Dolby Digital. I know this because even though the HDMI passthrough doesn't work, the Netflix and Amazon Prime has Dolby Digital output and the Samsung automatically chooses DD 5.1.

STUPID that it doesn't passthrough HDMI. Too expensive of a TV not to.

I was pacing nervously as the Play:1 surrounds were great with music but silent while watching TV.

This was a Samsung TV belonging to someone else and I did not grab the model number... it was new within the last year or so.

Went into the AT&T cable box menu and enabled Dolby Digital (was off). No help, even though the Samsung sound menu indicated it would pass DD. On a whim I flippet back to the Samsung audio menu, turned it off (stereo) and then back on. Surround appeared miraculously in the Play:1s.

The off and back on sequence must have acted as a virtual reboot of sorts...

I confirmed the Sonos controller Settings:About indicated the PlayBar was receiving a stereo input before and a surround input afterwards.

Thank you for contacting Samsung.

I understand that you are enquiring about Dolby digital output from Samsung TV: UN65ES8000F to Sonos Playbar with Cox Cable box running HDMI to Samsung TV.

I would be happy to assist you with that.

TV allows your to select the Audio format that you would like to output the sound from the TV i.e. PCM or Dolby Digital. However, there are restrictions when the Dolby digital signal is allowed to be selected. Dolby digital will be available only when

1. TV is receiving the ATSC or QAM from Antenna or direct cable from wall, that is carrying the Dolby digital track.

2. When the TV is using streaming service like Amazon, Hulu etc that has a Dolby digital track.

In the above cases, you will be able to select the Dolby digital track for audio out from the TV. Dolby digital won't be available when you connect any external input device like Cable box, DVD using an HDMI cable.

Even though HDMI is capable of carrying a 5.1 audio signal because of HDCP (High Density-Bandwidth Content Protection) the TV cannot bypass decoded 5.1 audio content from the HDMI input to the optical output. Because of this Dolby digital output is not available with the HDMI input. It is common for all Samsung TVs.

You can refer more information from the below link :

http://support-us.samsung.com/cyber/popup/iframe/pop_troubleshooting_fr.jsp?modelname=UN46C8000XF&idx=347142&modelcode=&

If you have anymore questions related to Samsung devices, feel free to contact us. We are available 24 X 7 to assist you.

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Matthew
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FOLKS -- this is a $3600 tv. It should not have this issue. Period. I'm taking mine back.

I had a similar issue after I updated the firmware until I verified that my cable box and apple TV were actually set to output DD over HDMI. Once they were set correctly (can be tricky based on different devices) my TV let me enable Dolby Digital, it was no longer greyed out. In contrast, my Xbox One has a known limitation where DD is not output via HDMI and the option is still greyed out on the TV.

I am able to confirm that my Playbar is seeing a 5.1 DD signal for cable and apple TV by looking at the about screen which lists each device and the input signal. 5.1 for cable/apple tv when the source supports it and stereo for Xbox One.

Are your tv speakers set to OFF?

Yes. I've tried both ways -- off and on. Still greyed out. Updated the firmware (I think to 1117 or something like that) last night.

Monday I bought a Samsung LED F8500 (55"), I can confirm that when using an optical cable the TV is passing trough 5.1 dd.

That was one reason for not buying a Sonos Playbar, but that doesn't seems to be an issue anymore.

I have the 65" version of the F8000. The sound settings on the TV sound menu has the Dolby Digital still Greyed Out, after I was told no more updates are available. How did you confirm with this firmware update that you are getting 5.1 output?

I have a cox cable box, HDMI to Samsung 65F8000. Optical out from Samsung to Sonos play bar with Play:1s in rear for surround. Samsung tv's settings have Dolby Digital GREYED OUT in the menu. I'm so confused by all the rhetoric. Can anyone possibly confirm Samsung will pass the 5.1 to soundbar from HDMI cable box to TV to Soundbar?? And if so, why is the menu option Greyed out (only allows PCM). Note: I do have the dolby digital option set on my cable box. that is not an issue, I don't think). NOTE 2: When I plug the optical cable directly to the cable box, I get the full 5.1. BUT if I do that, I can't get sound from Apple TV or DVD player unless I have some sort of switch, which is stupid if I have a $3000 TV.

Looks like I'll be buying a new tv as well. This is getting pricey but sooooo worth it.

Then you should change this: "Samsung UE46f6740 does in fact pass 5.1 sound through optical". The whole point of this thread is to identify TVs that output DD from devices connected to it, typically through HDMI. Using a switch is not considered a solution.