PlayBar 2.0

IMO DTS lack is not due to licence payment issue. I read that DTS has a proprietary Technology to stream audio via Wi-Fi as a Multiroom System. It is called PLAY DTS or something like that. It’s a feature that some Onkyo A/V reciever offers as well as kilpsh.
Now, I think that if the play DTS data are anyway somehow inside the DTS codec, even if not used, maybe they have issue with their Sonos net, since Sonos is the only company that offers multiroom via a dedicated network mesh like. All other manufacturer don’t have this kind of technology.
It is only my opinion, not supported by facts

I think you're referring to DTS Play-Fi. You make an interesting point, but I'm not really that's legally possible. I'm not sure DTS can opt not to license their codec to Sonos just because Sonos competes with DTS in a different area. However, what Argetlam said earlier does perhaps tie in to your point. DTS could license by device, which would impact Sonos much more than other audio companies.

Yeah right that. DTS play-Fi.
But my point is not related to DTS that not provide licences, or Sonos that don’t want to pay.
What I mean is that, due to Sonos.net architecture, maybe SONOS is not able (yet) to implement it, due to real techical issues or interferences between sonos.net and DTS play-fi

Sonos can’t ignore new formats like atmos/ dts x much longer as they will simply be left behind by the competition. They are stubborn at the moment, insisting that Dolby 5.1 is the most used format, but that is slowly changing. If they release the inevitable Playbar 2 without new codecs, then they are sending it out to die. Sonos will be looking at the Playbar 2 as their main selling item for at least 3-4 years. Half way through it’s lifetime, it would be obsolete without new codecs. My guess, Sonos is waiting for the finalised hdmi 2.1 specs and what competitors are showing at ces 2019 before releasing the Playbar 2 in Q4 2019

Sonos can’t ignore new formats like atmos/ dts x much longer as they will simply be left behind by the competition. They are stubborn at the moment, insisting that Dolby 5.1 is the most used format, but that is slowly changing.

I wouldn't say they are exactly ignoring atmos. With the current HDMI-ARC connections, any source that is in Dolby Atmos will be converted to Dolby Digital. The argument then is whether atmos is going to sound better in a 5.1 system than dolby digital? My guess would be, not really. Then it comes down to whether or not Sonos needs to provide other setups besides 5.1 to meet the needs of customers. Obviously, there is a subset of customers that want the latest and greatest, but there are also some that don't want/need that sort of thing. In my mind, it makes sense to allow for more speakers in the setup, simply because you can sell more speakers...but I don't know the technical feasibility, the cost of development and support, nor the size of the potential market.

Sonos can’t ignore new formats like atmos/ dts x much longer as they will simply be left behind by the competition. They are stubborn at the moment, insisting that Dolby 5.1 is the most used format, but that is slowly changing. If they release the inevitable Playbar 2 without new codecs, then they are sending it out to die. Sonos will be looking at the Playbar 2 as their main selling item for at least 3-4 years. Half way through it’s lifetime, it would be obsolete without new codecs. My guess, Sonos is waiting for the finalised hdmi 2.1 specs and what competitors are showing at ces 2019 before releasing the Playbar 2 in Q4 2019
Yea I agree completely I'm thinking there new playbar when it comes out will be eARC compatible and avoid a lot of the lip sync issues and such that people have now and could benefit Sonos, I wonder if they try for an Atmos bar or how they would approach that?

All of the lipsync problems I've seen are due to issues within the specific TVs, and not really something Sonos would be able to do much about, as there's only so much processing that Sonos does once it receives the signal from the connection.

But yes, in order to support any of the significantly more advanced codecs, they'll certainly have to go away from the optical cable, which just can't handle much beyond Dolby Digital. Which does imply some sort of HDMI connection.

It will be interesting to see if they're interested in the potentially more niche market of high end TV equipment, or prefer to stay in the relatively lucrative larger market. Glad I'm not the CEO making that decision.... make more money by selling fewer devices at a higher price point, or make more money selling more devices at a lower price point? Both of those statements seem to be in slight conflict. One hopes that they could do both....supply my mother, and supply me.

All of the lipsync problems I've seen are due to issues within the specific TVs, and not really something Sonos would be able to do much about, as there's only so much processing that Sonos does once it receives the signal from the connection.

yes your correct ultimately it isn't Sonos causing the issue but the problem is real and a huge turn off for people who either dont want to live with just stereo or have to buy another device (switcher) or something to fix it, but eARC will fix it nonetheless its going to be pretty awesome all the way around. You should look it up and read about it, its one of the things I am most excited about. Sony already added it to there master series TV's this year and their Flag ship sound bar the HT-ST5000 and the Z9F sound bar. Im certain most TV's and sound bars next year will have it.

No argument from me on the advantages of eARC. But I wonder if it makes financial sense for Sonos to come out with a product right now that can be used on what, 5% (as a guess, and it may be a high guess) of TVs at this point? I'd expect them to wait for more market penetration before jumping on that bandwagon.

But sure, it would cause me to go out and get a new TV that supported it, and replace my two PLAYBARs. 🙂

What’s wrong with PlayBar? I’m looking to purchase a PlayBar this year (Black Friday) along with a pair of Sonos One and their Sub. Do I need to wait till Sonos comes out with PlayBar 2?