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throwawaybeam2
Trending Lyricist I
June 29, 2022

Multichannel PCM 5.1 dropping out since 14.10 update

Anyone else experiencing the same issue? Multichannel PCM 5.1 blanks out for a second every 1-2 minutes. I don’t think it’s a bandwidth issue as it works flawlessly with Multichannel PCM 7.1 (thorough test) and Dolby TrueHD Atmos (quick test). And it may have been caused by the Sonos 14.10 update. Setup is PS5→ LG C1→ Beam 2 (via earc).

 

2 weeks ago before the 14.10 update, I watched a bluray film wherein I had my PS5 transcode the DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio to Multichannel PCM 5.1 (as the C1 does not support DTS) and had no issues. Earlier today, I played a bluray film for the first time in 2 weeks and I encountered consistent audio dropouts every 1-2 minutes. It had the same setup where DTS-HD MA 5.1 → Multichannel PCM 5.1. I tested other bluray discs including the one I watched 2 weeks ago and they all now have the same issue.

 

Curiously, I’ve been gaming heavily on my PS5 the past two 2 weeks and haven’t had any audio issues. Then I realized that I’ve been using Multichannel PCM 7.1 when gaming on my PS5. So I made some changes under the PS5 sound settings to make it output Multichannel PCM 5.1 instead. Lo and behold, I am now getting the same consistent dropouts in games and even on the PS5 main menu.

 

I think it’s due to the Sonos 14.10 update as that’s the only firmware update I’ve done in the last 2 weeks. No PS5 update, no LG C1 update. Well actually while I was composing this post, I received and applied the latest LG C1 firmware update and I still have the same issue.

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    Pinned Reply By Corry P

    Hi @throwawaybeam2 et al

    We now recommend you reach out to the TV manufacturer (LG) as this behaviour is also occurring with different soundbar manufacturers (so it’s not a Sonos-specific issue).

    Alternatively, please utilize different audio formats from McLPCM 5.1 (e.g., McLPCM 7.1, DD+, etc).

    I hope this helps.

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    throwawaybeam2Author
    Trending Lyricist I
    July 1, 2022

    @Outburst 

    As mentioned, I did an update on my LG TV after I have already discovered and replicated the issue. Pre-TV update, the only thing that changed is literally the Sonos 14.10 update. Post-TV update, issue still persists.

    It would be helpful to others if you can share your actual setup. So far what appears to be “confirmed” is the audio dropouts occur ONLY on a Sonos Beam 2 running on 14.10 update while it is receiving the “Multichannel PCM 5.1” audio format. 

     

    @Corry P

    Not trying to be rude but do I really have to go through the extra trouble? You were already able to have a colleague look into my diagnostics multiple times. Can’t you simply pass the info off to your technical team?

    While I really do appreciate your efforts so far (and I confess I am unaware of the full scope of your responsibilities), it is disappointing from a customer viewpoint to have someone hold your hand allthroughout only to be let go once you’re about to reach the finish line.

    I was already able to narrow it down for Sonos and it is very quick and easy to reproduce. It is 100% reproducible. And with a corroboration from another user, it appears to be a legimitate issue. Even as your colleague tried to deflect the blame on the TV, you have to admit that the Sonos 14.10 update is the most logical culprit. To me, this  seems like something that should warrant the attention of Sonos, even without the prodding of their customers.

     

    I may be being dramatic but it is what it is. I believe I’ve done my part as a member of the community. If Sonos does not want to take some initiative, I pass the baton to another troubled Sonos user who is willing to take it from here. I hope it gets fixed in a future update. If not, then this is something to keep in mind. Thank you and goodbye, everyone.

    Outburst
    Enthusiast II
    July 1, 2022

    My setup is Beam Gen. 2 → HD Fury Arcana and I tested with a Nvidia Shield and Kodi set to Multichannel PCM 5.1 Tested with. several movies and didn’t have any dropouts. Since kikeminchas also has an LG TV and can reproduce it, but ledzep1 can’t (unsure what TV they use), I’m not sure if it’s really the Beam or the LG TV. Maybe some more people will chime in soon. I reckon if this was a broader issue, we will hear soon. 

    ledzep1
    Headliner II
    July 1, 2022

    My setup is Beam Gen. 2 → HD Fury Arcana and I tested with a Nvidia Shield and Kodi set to Multichannel PCM 5.1 Tested with. several movies and didn’t have any dropouts. Since kikeminchas also has an LG TV and can reproduce it, but ledzep1 can’t (unsure what TV they use), I’m not sure if it’s really the Beam or the LG TV. Maybe some more people will chime in soon. I reckon if this was a broader issue, we will hear soon. 

    I use LG CX (latest 4.40.10 firmware) with sonos ARC not had any dropouts, so could be Beam specific.

    If those haven't already tried I would do the good old turn it off and on procedure (TV and Soundbar)

    Try a different HDMI lead 

    Last resort perhaps try a reset on the TV and sonos.

    Ken_Griffiths
    Ken_Griffiths
    July 1, 2022

    I have an Apple TV-4HD with LG C9 TV and Arc, surrounds & sub and it’s set to default - to output 5.1 multichannel LPCM.

    I played the movie ‘6 underground’ from Netflix for 30 minutes or so, just as a test …and that’s all working okay without any audio dropouts.

      ledzep1
      Headliner II
      July 1, 2022

      I have an Apple TV-4HD with LG C9 TV and Arc, surrounds & sub and it’s set to default - to output 5.1 multichannel LPCM.

      I played the movie ‘6 underground’ from Netflix for 30 minutes or so, just as a test …and that’s all working okay without any audio dropouts.

       

      What settings do you have set on your c9 for audio?

      Ken_Griffiths
      Ken_Griffiths
      July 1, 2022

      I have an Apple TV-4HD with LG C9 TV and Arc, surrounds & sub and it’s set to default - to output 5.1 multichannel LPCM.

      I played the movie ‘6 underground’ from Netflix for 30 minutes or so, just as a test …and that’s all working okay without any audio dropouts.

       

      What settings do you have set on your c9 for audio?

      These are my LG C9 TV Audio Settings…

      • Sound -> HDMI ARC (Digital Sound Out = Pass-Through / eARC = ‘ON’)
      • Sound -> Additional Settings (DTV Audio = Auto) / HDMI input format = Bitstream for all HDMI ports.
      • Connection -> HDMI Device Settings (Auto Device Detection = ‘ON’ / Simplink = ‘ON’ / Auto Power Sync = ‘ON’)
        Outburst
        Enthusiast II
        July 2, 2022

        I have no issues with my Arc either, but that’s also not connected to an LG TV, I have a Sony TV. I could hook up my Apple TV to the Arcana/Beam, maybe I can reproduce the issue with that but I don’t think so. Unfortunately I don’t have a PS5, if anyone knows where I can get one, let me know 😀. 

        Keithmac
        Virtuoso
        July 3, 2022

        It seems they fix one thing and break another, I'm looking to replace the Playbar and it's not an ARC straight fight which is unfortunate due to having the Sub etc already.

        kikeminchas
        Lyricist III
        July 6, 2022

        @throwawaybeam2 

        Yesterday I had finally some time to troubleshoot this. I ended up unplugging the LG to perform a full restart, the PS5 and the Beam2. After that I have been playing with the PS5 for more than one hour with PCM 5.1 as audio output  and I haven’t had a single dropout. Worth trying...

        RANDUSR23296
        Enthusiast I
        September 12, 2022

        I’m seeing the same issue (Panasonic DP-UB450EB (LPCM) -> LG C1 (eARC) -> Beam2+Symfonisk) when transcoding 5.1 DTS discs in the player. No drops for 7.1 encoded discs. Repeatable switching between 5.1 and 7.1 LPCM on a games console. Occasionally 5.1 LPCM just doesn’t work at all. I tried swapping the Beam for an Amp as per Jay's thread, but of course the Amp is only ARC and therefore no multichannel LPCM to test with.

        Frustrating that because LG are being stingy with their codecs (I get it), working around just hits a bug instead. Remains to be proven if this is in LG (v03.33.11) or Sonos (v14.14) or just user error on my part. It’s a narrow use case but it does mean some of my discs will currently only playback (without drops) in down mixed stereo.

        Trying to run through this test case though made me think of a couple of gripes where Hifi meets Home Theatre in the same room: 

        • It would be nice to see eARC codecs, some kind of centre speaker configuration and non-Sonance Trueplay on the Amp, which sounded great with standalone speaker frequency range and the wider sound stage.
        • A line in on the soundbars/rears would be convenient for giving legacy components an input into the Sonos ecosystem. Seems odd, expensive and cluttered to need Amp/Speakers or headless port in the same room as a Beam/rears. I understand both the Amp’s and 5’s line in becomes non-operational when configured as rears.  
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