You’ve identified that the TV is stuck on stereo, so that’s the issue that is keeping the surround speakers from being used.
The next step is to look further up the stream. What is feeding the TV the signal you are watching? Does that device have audio settings that may have been adjusted without your knowledge? Or is the show you’re watching only have a stereo signal, like many ‘talking head’ shows? Should you be using a recent movie to check these settings?
Have you checked to see if there are software updates for your TV as well?
Thanks for the response.
the Play Bar is connected to the TV because I use a variety of sources into the TV.
the TV is an old Plasma so don’t think there is a way to upgrade firmware.
only options on the TV are for surround = V-audio, V-audio Surround or off.
there is no option for dolby, digital etc
i have looked at the Apple TV, only options i have for audio out are tv speakers or airplay. Tv speakers plays on the Play Bar, but not Play 1’s.
It worked before, and doesn’t now?
The method of connection to the TV is moot, since it is a PLAYBAR. There is only one way to connect, and you’ve indicated it works with a stereo signal. This means we need to focus on the TV, or what is feeding the TV, which you have indicated is an Apple TV of indeterminate age.
You haven’t told us the make or model of the Plasma, but I’d be surprised if it didn’t have a way to connect to the internet and update the software running the TV, or at least have a USB port that you could upload new software on a USB stick.
Doing some quick Google searching, it appears that V-Audio is a Panasonic thing. Panasonic’s tend to be problematic with surround sound, but for this use case, you should probably have V-Audio turned off.
If your Apple TV is a current model, you should be looking at the Apple Settings app, then choose Video and Audio, then under Audio Format, select Dolby Digital.
Since you’ve declined to indicate any other sources that feed your TV, or even what program you’re watching when you’re trying to make these adjustments, there’s not much more I can suggest, other than contacting Sonos Support directly to discuss it.