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Keithmac
Virtuoso
September 16, 2017

My work around 5.1 via HDMI, Playbar.

First off most of the information I have gleaned has come from here or the internet. This has worked for my setup and may not work for yours..

I wanted a seamless integration, no optical switchboxes, no new remotes etc.

You could be lucky and your TV may natively pass through HDMI 5.1 to TOSlink so try first before you buy any extras.

Basically the HDMI system does a HANDSHAKE when two items are connected, "most" TV's will be classed as a STEREO device because they only have two speakers; this is hard coded into the HDMI chip.. Anything connected to the TOS-LINK TV optical output after this is also classed as STEREO only including the Playbar/ Playbase.

When you connect a 5.1 capable source normally, it HANDSHAKES with the TV and the TV's HDMI EDID says "I've only got two speakers, pass me stereo only". This proves a problem when you own a Playbar..

I use a kwmobile EDID emulator, between the SOURCE (Blu-ray/ Set Top Box) and TV, when HANSHAKING now ths EDID emulator says "I'm a TV but capable of 5.1 surround".

The TV now has a full 5.1 sound input over HDMI and most can pass this through the Optical TOSlink to the Playbar.

With Blu-ray they are normally encoded with DTS which cannot be decoded with the Playbar, I chose to buy a Samsung BD-F6500 which has the option to downmix DTD to Dolby 5.1, it also has the Netflix APP which passes through 5.1 without issue from streamed content.

You will need one EDID emulator per HDMI input, but the beauty is you just use your TV as normal, no extra switches etc to control..
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    43 replies

    Show previous replies
    Kennyg1875
    Lyricist II
    March 27, 2018
    Has anyone used this device to get an Nvidia Shield TV with DD5.1 working with a Playbase/Playbar?

    My TV can pass through DD5.1, for Xbox One and STB box, but not for the Shield.

    The Shield doesn't even offer 5.1 as an option in Netflix or Amazon Video. Apparently the Shield can only output DD+ through HDMI and not via Optical. Although that isn't strictly true because you can get DD5.1 on shield using Kodi.
    KeithmacAuthor
    Virtuoso
    March 27, 2018
    Don't think the Edid Emulator will help with your Nvidia Shield as your TV seems happy to pass 5.1 through already.
    Polz
    Polz
    Trending Lyricist I
    April 2, 2018
    I was also having an issue with not getting Dolby 5.1 with new hook up...only getting "stereo". After doing research I ended up going with this product below (see link) from Amazon that solved my problems. Once you connect, go to TV settings and select Dolby for the Audio option then once you check Sonos settings/about the Dolby 5.1 shows up...for optimal audio quality.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SB2TQM2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    djsgrant
    Enthusiast II
    June 14, 2018
    I use position "E", 1080p with 5.1 Dolby although it does pass through higher resolutions without issue.

    Let me know if you need any help.

    I picked up one to connect my PS4 slim (not Pro) to my LG SJ800V television. Set it to position E, PS4 set to Dolby Digital as is the TV but I am still only getting stereo. Am I missing something?
    David
    Menik
    Lyricist I
    July 28, 2018
    Has anyone used this device to get an Nvidia Shield TV with DD5.1 working with a Playbase/Playbar?

    My TV can pass through DD5.1, for Xbox One and STB box, but not for the Shield.

    The Shield doesn't even offer 5.1 as an option in Netflix or Amazon Video. Apparently the Shield can only output DD+ through HDMI and not via Optical. Although that isn't strictly true because you can get DD5.1 on shield using Kodi.

    Have you been apply to get it working?
    djsgrant
    Enthusiast II
    July 28, 2018
    Has anyone used this device to get an Nvidia Shield TV with DD5.1 working with a Playbase/Playbar?

    My TV can pass through DD5.1, for Xbox One and STB box, but not for the Shield.

    The Shield doesn't even offer 5.1 as an option in Netflix or Amazon Video. Apparently the Shield can only output DD+ through HDMI and not via Optical. Although that isn't strictly true because you can get DD5.1 on shield using Kodi.

    Have you been apply to get it working?

    Didn’t get it to work but I have solved the problem: I am sending my Playbase back and as Sonos refuse to confirm if they will ever release a product with HDMI that will decode Atmos, DTS etc I will be buying a new Denon AV Receiver. I didn’t want to run a full 5.1 in the living room again but at least with an AV Receiver you know where you are. Also, consider this; I already have my old 5.1 speakers so for the same cost of a Playbase/Bar I can have the speaker cables professionally installed and it will still be cheaper.
    David
    Wildantics
    Avid Contributor III
    July 28, 2018
    Has anyone used this device to get an Nvidia Shield TV with DD5.1 working with a Playbase/Playbar?

    My TV can pass through DD5.1, for Xbox One and STB box, but not for the Shield.

    The Shield doesn't even offer 5.1 as an option in Netflix or Amazon Video. Apparently the Shield can only output DD+ through HDMI and not via Optical. Although that isn't strictly true because you can get DD5.1 on shield using Kodi.

    Have you been apply to get it working?

    Didn’t get it to work but I have solved the problem: I am sending my Playbase back and as Sonos refuse to confirm if they will ever release a product with HDMI that will decode Atmos, DTS etc I will be buying a new Denon AV Receiver. I didn’t want to run a full 5.1 in the living room again but at least with an AV Receiver you know where you are. Also, consider this; I already have my old 5.1 speakers so for the same cost of a Playbase/Bar I can have the speaker cables professionally installed and it will still be cheaper.

    I have an almost new Denon Receiver I bought in January I am selling I even have a transferable 3 year square trade warranty I could transfer, you should send me a PM.
    logib
    logib
    Avid Contributor I
    August 1, 2018
    Tried one of these kwmobile edid on my Samsung TV, it actually reports a DD5.1 feed in the sound menu but it’s silent through my playbase, so annoying! Am I missing something obvious before I send the edid back?
    Jeff S
    Jeff S
    Retired Sonos Staff
    August 1, 2018
    Tried one of these kwmobile edid on my Samsung TV, it actually reports a DD5.1 feed in the sound menu but it’s silent through my playbase, so annoying! Am I missing something obvious before I send the edid back?

    Please submit a diagnostic report while playing the TV when you don't hear any audio. Reply with the confirmation number and I'll take a look at the signal received.
    Help others find useful content by clicking the like button and selecting the best answer to your question.
    gwillis
    Contributor I
    August 29, 2018
    I also tried one of these kwmobile edid on my TIVO to Samsung TV, it reports a DD5.1 feed in the sonos menu. The problem is when I change channels or pause the TIVO, I get a buzzing noise from the Beam until the sound resumes. Very loud and irritating. My question is, does the Beam send any signal to the Sonos sub when the input signal is stereo?
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