Trending Lyricist I

Multichannel PCM 5.1 dropping out since 14.10 update

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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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M

MJW75

Enthusiast I

If all else fails I may try the fiber cable mentioned here. I assume it has to be hdmi 2.1?

No, just “with ethernet”. The eARC channel will still be bi-directional copper wires, even where the main video/audio stream is carried over one way fibre optic.

The “with ethernet” ensures that these wires are configured as twisted pair which can offer enough bandwidth for 7.1 PCM bit rates vs the original HDMI cable design.

Sorry - I may not be as tech savvy as everyone here but just to clarify what this means - is it something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09KGSG5VW?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image

I am seeing extremely pricey long range ones and this was the most reasonably priced fiber one way cable. Not sure what I am searching for and this is the closest I can find from what was discussed in this forumn which is not like $60 - $100.

This is the one I got I. The UK. Works out about $20

GeoHN.G 8K Fiber Optic HDMI Cable 1M, 48Gbps High-Speed HDMI 2.1 Cable 8K@60Hz 4K@120Hz Dolby/Dynamic HDR/HDCP 2.3/eARC 8K Fiber One-Direction HDMI Cord Compatible with Blu-ray/TV Box/HDTV/Projector https://amzn.eu/d/cc32wfX

there should be similar ones available

H

Hawk780

Lyricist III

If all else fails I may try the fiber cable mentioned here. I assume it has to be hdmi 2.1?

No, just “with ethernet”. The eARC channel will still be bi-directional copper wires, even where the main video/audio stream is carried over one way fibre optic.

The “with ethernet” ensures that these wires are configured as twisted pair which can offer enough bandwidth for 7.1 PCM bit rates vs the original HDMI cable design.

Sorry - I may not be as tech savvy as everyone here but just to clarify what this means - is it something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09KGSG5VW?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image

I am seeing extremely pricey long range ones and this was the most reasonably priced fiber one way cable. Not sure what I am searching for and this is the closest I can find from what was discussed in this forumn which is not like $60 - $100.

This is the one I got I. The UK. Works out about $20

GeoHN.G 8K Fiber Optic HDMI Cable 1M, 48Gbps High-Speed HDMI 2.1 Cable 8K@60Hz 4K@120Hz Dolby/Dynamic HDR/HDCP 2.3/eARC 8K Fiber One-Direction HDMI Cord Compatible with Blu-ray/TV Box/HDTV/Projector https://amzn.eu/d/cc32wfX

there should be similar ones available

Ya that one appears to read a similar description as the one I linked to in the US so hopefully should work. All these other ones I was looking at were bidirectional or super long 40 feet+ ones so after a lot digging that was the most reasonably priced one is saw (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09KGSG5VW?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image). Will give it a go and see if that works!

H

Hawk780

Lyricist III

Ok - looks like that cable appears to have worked after about 30 mins of testing. Will report back if anything comes back but thanks to everyone here for doing so much troubleshooting and coming up with a work around!

The only thing that makes me wonder about this though is if this process of reversing what the source should normally be on the cable would have any side effects that may not be readily apparent yet. It seems odd that it only works when the source side is on the TV and therefore you will not get the Sonos splash screen on HDMI 2. If the sound in the end is not effected than I suppose this works fine but it's just pretty interesting that this backwards method is what is working and idk if the this would end up preventing some features that people have not noticed just yet. Hopefully Sonos or LG comes up with an official fix soon but in the meantime I at least was able to find a reasonably priced cable to use.

L

LPCMisdabest

Lyricist II

I was wondering the same thing but I guess the reverse part of the Fiber Optic HDMI Cable only comes into play regarding video?

M

mjsound

Lyricist III

Just got a beam (gen 2) and two one Sl.

Having this exact issue when Audio is set to (5.1) on ps5 and Nintendo switch.

Very frustrating after spending 600 on a new set up.

O

OmriP

Lyricist III

I found that resetting the TV may help. Press and hold the power button for around 15 seconds until the tv reboots (should seem different than normal turn on). Maybe this will help.

L

LPCMisdabest

Lyricist II

Just got a beam (gen 2) and two one Sl.

Having this exact issue when Audio is set to (5.1) on ps5 and Nintendo switch.

Very frustrating after spending 600 on a new set up.

Yeah it’s unfortunate and very frustrating. Over the past few months I tried replacing it with other soundbar systems, and while one or two did sound better that included a sub at a similar price, they all dealt with there own issues. Ones that I found more egregious than this hiccup the Sonos has.

The only other bug I’ve experienced with the Beam over 2 years was playing Resistance: Fall of Man on PS3, terrible audio distortion for some reason (I tested on other systems and they didn’t have this issue with the game). Otherwise it’s great. I do eventually want to replace this system with a full on receiver and dedicated speakers.

I don’t like recommending stepping up to the ARC to avoid this issue because I really believe Sonos should fix this on the Beam, but I’d consider if I were you. Otherwise if you want to go all out, build your own system with a receiver! :)

The Beam is overall really good for a soundbar. They NEED to fix this issue but hopefully you can use HDMI port 1 or the cable workaround discussed a few comments above here if you decide to stick with the Beam.

Y

yofalat611

Enthusiast I

Just got a beam (gen 2) and two one Sl.

Having this exact issue when Audio is set to (5.1) on ps5 and Nintendo switch.

Very frustrating after spending 600 on a new set up.

Yeah it’s unfortunate and very frustrating. Over the past few months I tried replacing it with other soundbar systems, and while one or two did sound better that included a sub at a similar price, they all dealt with there own issues. Ones that I found more egregious than this hiccup the Sonos has.

The only other bug I’ve experienced with the Beam over 2 years was playing Resistance: Fall of Man on PS3, terrible audio distortion for some reason (I tested on other systems and they didn’t have this issue with the game). Otherwise it’s great. I do eventually want to replace this system with a full on receiver and dedicated speakers.

I don’t like recommending stepping up to the ARC to avoid this issue because I really believe Sonos should fix this on the Beam, but I’d consider if I were you. Otherwise if you want to go all out, build your own system with a receiver! :)

The Beam is overall really good for a soundbar. They NEED to fix this issue but hopefully you can use HDMI port 1 or the cable workaround discussed a few comments above here if you decide to stick with the Beam.

Yeah, this is also a matter of trust. It’s difficult to recommend spending more money on Sonos after the level of neglect that they’ve shown here. Say you upgrade to an Arc (or Arc 2/Beam 3) and you encounter an issue particular to your use case, what then? Things could even work well at first, but we are just a bad firmware update away from being screwed. Sonos needs to demonstrate that they will not abandon their customers.

I suggest going for a full refund if you can. If not or if you’re into the Sonos ecosystem, use the HDMI 1 or cable workaround as suggested. We are nearing the 1 year anniversary of this thread and still no official response from Sonos.

L

LPCMisdabest

Lyricist II

I don’t necessarily disagree with this sentiment. They really need to fix it.

T

TheCaseAce

Lyricist II

Just found this thread from a version of the issue linked on Reddit.

I just want to check in with anyone that has used the suggested cable for more than a few weeks (and especially anyone that’s used it with the Nintendo Switch).

Is the fix a case of using the cable with the source end of the cable plugged into the TV and the display end of the cable plugged into the Sonos Beam Gen 2?
Has anyone used this cable for more than a few weeks and seen the issue fixed? Conversely I’d like to know if anyone’s seen the issue come back when using this cable?
Can anyone link the post explaining why this cable works?

I’ve seen the sound dropout issue myself since recently connecting my LG C2 TV to my Sonos Beam and Nintendo Switch, I’m looking to get the cable to fix the issue but just want to be sure it actually works reliably.

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