Skip to main content
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..
    This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

    43 replies

    Show previous replies
    Jeff S
    Jeff S
    Retired Sonos Staff
    August 30, 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?

    Yes, the Beam should send a signal to the Sub in a stereo configuration. It would work just like it does for music with that signal.
    Help others find useful content by clicking the like button and selecting the best answer to your question.
      firekyo
      Lyricist I
      May 15, 2019

      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.
      Hello Jeff,

      I am running the same configuration and sonos beam is showing "silence". Diagnostics is 1948857933. I think it is maybe related to DD+ being sent instead of DD??

      I am using a chromecast and forcing dolby using videostream, both the TV (dolby digital shows in audio config) and chromecast (shows that sorround sound is enabled when changing volume) are outputting dolby digital.
      toomanylogins
      Lyricist I
      January 13, 2020

      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?

      Hi,

      Dragging up an old thread but I am trying to solve a similar issue with this same kwmobile adapter. 

      My setup is :

      Amazon Firestick - KWmobile - Samsung UE40D5520 TV - all connected via HDMI 

      TV - Sonos Beam via Optical connection

      Without the KWmobile device my TV will output Dolby Digital 5.1 from the internal tuner and stereo PCM from any HDMI source.

      With the KWmobile installed and set to setting B or E I can play a 5.1 source from Netflix or Prime on the firestick and the TV audio menu then shows that is is outputting a DD 5.1 signal. However the Beam is silent. (I have tried other settings which only output Stereo)

      In the Netflix app if I change the audio from 5.1 to Stereo it can be heard from the Beam but the TV show it is outputting PCM.

      I have checked the Firestick Audio settings which allow me to choose Auto or to select DD via HDMI or DD plus via HDMI. None of these makes any difference.

      If anyone else has any suggestions I would be grateful before I contemplate a new TV just to resolve this.

      Thanks!

       

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement