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Contributor I
February 12, 2013

Please add support for DTS for the Sonos Playbar.

A hifi homecinema soundbar without dts support seems not up to date for me. Are there any plans to add dts support?
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    1190 replies

    Sonos Staff
    January 16, 2014

    Following a careful evaluation, we have decided not to implement support for the DTS audio format in PLAYBAR at this time.
     
    PLAYBAR uses a single optical connection directly from your television and was designed this way to make it as easy as possible to set-up and enjoy great HiFi sound.  Most PLAYBAR owners connect PLAYBAR to their TV in this simple way. This is the intended setup for playing the sound from your TV.
     
    Today, very few TVs pass a DTS-encoded audio stream through their optical output.  Instead, the TV or source device converts the audio signal automatically to PCM, which PLAYBAR supports.  This is how PLAYBAR plays DTS-encoded Blu-rays.
     
    We are committed to supporting the existing and future ecosystem of streaming video services. Currently, popular streaming services do not use DTS and most use Dolby Digital encoding, which PLAYBAR supports.
     
    We are aware that PLAYBAR is being connected by customers to devices other than the television. In this configuration, when PLAYBAR receives a DTS signal, it will not process the signal.  If you are not able to connect your PLAYBAR directly to your TV and would like to explore solutions, please click here. 
     
    If DTS support is crucial for your current set-up, PLAYBAR may not be the right solution for you and we apologize for this inconvenience.  If you are currently a PLAYBAR owner and would like to discuss options, please contact Sonos Customer Care.
     
    We’ll be actively monitoring TV and streaming services capabilities and trends. If our development stance around DTS decoding in PLAYBAR changes, this community will be among the first to know. 

    @Calum

    I think that it's a long thread with a lot of comments.  Some people are happy using a player which transcodes (such as the Samsung models listed), some are not.  If you're not, that's ok - my only intention was to make you aware of the option.
    Lyricist I
    January 16, 2014

    Following a careful evaluation, we have decided not to implement support for the DTS audio format in PLAYBAR at this time.
     
    PLAYBAR uses a single optical connection directly from your television and was designed this way to make it as easy as possible to set-up and enjoy great HiFi sound.  Most PLAYBAR owners connect PLAYBAR to their TV in this simple way. This is the intended setup for playing the sound from your TV.
     
    Today, very few TVs pass a DTS-encoded audio stream through their optical output.  Instead, the TV or source device converts the audio signal automatically to PCM, which PLAYBAR supports.  This is how PLAYBAR plays DTS-encoded Blu-rays.
     
    We are committed to supporting the existing and future ecosystem of streaming video services. Currently, popular streaming services do not use DTS and most use Dolby Digital encoding, which PLAYBAR supports.
     
    We are aware that PLAYBAR is being connected by customers to devices other than the television. In this configuration, when PLAYBAR receives a DTS signal, it will not process the signal.  If you are not able to connect your PLAYBAR directly to your TV and would like to explore solutions, please click here. 
     
    If DTS support is crucial for your current set-up, PLAYBAR may not be the right solution for you and we apologize for this inconvenience.  If you are currently a PLAYBAR owner and would like to discuss options, please contact Sonos Customer Care.
     
    We’ll be actively monitoring TV and streaming services capabilities and trends. If our development stance around DTS decoding in PLAYBAR changes, this community will be among the first to know. 

    That's a ridiculous decision and I am very disappointed. I have the full 5.1 system and yet rarely ever get to enjoy it as 90% of my Blu-rays only have DTS sound. In fact I disconnected my rears and moved them to another room as they were being used infrequently. I would have been adding additional speakers but now I don't see the point.
    I categorically would not have bought my Playbar or my Sub if I didn't think you would fix this issue. I've heard how good it can sound, why would you not want to make your product better? This will cost you sales, unfortunately as an early adopter (I pre-ordered my Playbar) I'm now stuck with it.
    I beg you to reconsider.
    Sonos Staff
    January 16, 2014

    Following a careful evaluation, we have decided not to implement support for the DTS audio format in PLAYBAR at this time.
     
    PLAYBAR uses a single optical connection directly from your television and was designed this way to make it as easy as possible to set-up and enjoy great HiFi sound.  Most PLAYBAR owners connect PLAYBAR to their TV in this simple way. This is the intended setup for playing the sound from your TV.
     
    Today, very few TVs pass a DTS-encoded audio stream through their optical output.  Instead, the TV or source device converts the audio signal automatically to PCM, which PLAYBAR supports.  This is how PLAYBAR plays DTS-encoded Blu-rays.
     
    We are committed to supporting the existing and future ecosystem of streaming video services. Currently, popular streaming services do not use DTS and most use Dolby Digital encoding, which PLAYBAR supports.
     
    We are aware that PLAYBAR is being connected by customers to devices other than the television. In this configuration, when PLAYBAR receives a DTS signal, it will not process the signal.  If you are not able to connect your PLAYBAR directly to your TV and would like to explore solutions, please click here. 
     
    If DTS support is crucial for your current set-up, PLAYBAR may not be the right solution for you and we apologize for this inconvenience.  If you are currently a PLAYBAR owner and would like to discuss options, please contact Sonos Customer Care.
     
    We’ll be actively monitoring TV and streaming services capabilities and trends. If our development stance around DTS decoding in PLAYBAR changes, this community will be among the first to know. 

    @JohnD

    Dolby Digital Plus is a slightly different situation than DTS because the format cannot be passed through an optical connection.  

    We're not suggesting that anyone needs to invest in another product in order to use PLAYBAR.  The PLAYBAR creates a surround sound experience even when the source signal is stereo PCM.  

    If DTS is crucial for your setup, this is an option, and we want to let people know about it and make their own decision.  If you decide that PLAYBAR is not the right solution for you, that's OK too.

    The comment about planned obsolescence (I apologize if this is an unfamiliar term, it's a controversial topic in consumer electronics) was in response Joel's hypothetical, and what I meant by it was that we don't believe you should need to buy a new model just to get a new feature.  We release software updates for free every year so that Sonos gets better with time, rather than the opposite.
    Enthusiast I
    January 16, 2014

    Following a careful evaluation, we have decided not to implement support for the DTS audio format in PLAYBAR at this time.
     
    PLAYBAR uses a single optical connection directly from your television and was designed this way to make it as easy as possible to set-up and enjoy great HiFi sound.  Most PLAYBAR owners connect PLAYBAR to their TV in this simple way. This is the intended setup for playing the sound from your TV.
     
    Today, very few TVs pass a DTS-encoded audio stream through their optical output.  Instead, the TV or source device converts the audio signal automatically to PCM, which PLAYBAR supports.  This is how PLAYBAR plays DTS-encoded Blu-rays.
     
    We are committed to supporting the existing and future ecosystem of streaming video services. Currently, popular streaming services do not use DTS and most use Dolby Digital encoding, which PLAYBAR supports.
     
    We are aware that PLAYBAR is being connected by customers to devices other than the television. In this configuration, when PLAYBAR receives a DTS signal, it will not process the signal.  If you are not able to connect your PLAYBAR directly to your TV and would like to explore solutions, please click here. 
     
    If DTS support is crucial for your current set-up, PLAYBAR may not be the right solution for you and we apologize for this inconvenience.  If you are currently a PLAYBAR owner and would like to discuss options, please contact Sonos Customer Care.
     
    We’ll be actively monitoring TV and streaming services capabilities and trends. If our development stance around DTS decoding in PLAYBAR changes, this community will be among the first to know. 

    So, if DD+ cannot be decoded and causes sound drop outs, the playbar is left with a very limited pool of sound sources which it can use for true surround. You comment that you will monitor the market for future trends, however the trends have already left your product behind, so it makes no sense to wait any further.
    Enthusiast I
    January 16, 2014

    Following a careful evaluation, we have decided not to implement support for the DTS audio format in PLAYBAR at this time.
     
    PLAYBAR uses a single optical connection directly from your television and was designed this way to make it as easy as possible to set-up and enjoy great HiFi sound.  Most PLAYBAR owners connect PLAYBAR to their TV in this simple way. This is the intended setup for playing the sound from your TV.
     
    Today, very few TVs pass a DTS-encoded audio stream through their optical output.  Instead, the TV or source device converts the audio signal automatically to PCM, which PLAYBAR supports.  This is how PLAYBAR plays DTS-encoded Blu-rays.
     
    We are committed to supporting the existing and future ecosystem of streaming video services. Currently, popular streaming services do not use DTS and most use Dolby Digital encoding, which PLAYBAR supports.
     
    We are aware that PLAYBAR is being connected by customers to devices other than the television. In this configuration, when PLAYBAR receives a DTS signal, it will not process the signal.  If you are not able to connect your PLAYBAR directly to your TV and would like to explore solutions, please click here. 
     
    If DTS support is crucial for your current set-up, PLAYBAR may not be the right solution for you and we apologize for this inconvenience.  If you are currently a PLAYBAR owner and would like to discuss options, please contact Sonos Customer Care.
     
    We’ll be actively monitoring TV and streaming services capabilities and trends. If our development stance around DTS decoding in PLAYBAR changes, this community will be among the first to know. 

    I agree with JohnD. @John M so what's sonos answer is netflix and other such services start using more and more DD+ or DTS? They are starting to do this. The playbar will totally be left behind. The least that MUST happen is that this decision is reversed or the playbar will be like a 1990s relic not fit for purpose!
    RO53BEN
    Enthusiast II
    January 16, 2014

    Following a careful evaluation, we have decided not to implement support for the DTS audio format in PLAYBAR at this time.
     
    PLAYBAR uses a single optical connection directly from your television and was designed this way to make it as easy as possible to set-up and enjoy great HiFi sound.  Most PLAYBAR owners connect PLAYBAR to their TV in this simple way. This is the intended setup for playing the sound from your TV.
     
    Today, very few TVs pass a DTS-encoded audio stream through their optical output.  Instead, the TV or source device converts the audio signal automatically to PCM, which PLAYBAR supports.  This is how PLAYBAR plays DTS-encoded Blu-rays.
     
    We are committed to supporting the existing and future ecosystem of streaming video services. Currently, popular streaming services do not use DTS and most use Dolby Digital encoding, which PLAYBAR supports.
     
    We are aware that PLAYBAR is being connected by customers to devices other than the television. In this configuration, when PLAYBAR receives a DTS signal, it will not process the signal.  If you are not able to connect your PLAYBAR directly to your TV and would like to explore solutions, please click here. 
     
    If DTS support is crucial for your current set-up, PLAYBAR may not be the right solution for you and we apologize for this inconvenience.  If you are currently a PLAYBAR owner and would like to discuss options, please contact Sonos Customer Care.
     
    We’ll be actively monitoring TV and streaming services capabilities and trends. If our development stance around DTS decoding in PLAYBAR changes, this community will be among the first to know. 

    Disappointing, but not surprising given the length of time we've waited.

    Is it possible to explain to us why a £180 home theater system in a local supermarket can come with DTS support yet PLAYBAR, at over three times the price, does not?

    If Samsung can build DTS->DD conversion into those £50 blu-ray players you're keen on recommending, why can't Sonos do it?
    I am no longer active on these forums, DM me if you have a question, I'd be happy to help.
    Trending Lyricist I
    January 16, 2014

    Following a careful evaluation, we have decided not to implement support for the DTS audio format in PLAYBAR at this time.
     
    PLAYBAR uses a single optical connection directly from your television and was designed this way to make it as easy as possible to set-up and enjoy great HiFi sound.  Most PLAYBAR owners connect PLAYBAR to their TV in this simple way. This is the intended setup for playing the sound from your TV.
     
    Today, very few TVs pass a DTS-encoded audio stream through their optical output.  Instead, the TV or source device converts the audio signal automatically to PCM, which PLAYBAR supports.  This is how PLAYBAR plays DTS-encoded Blu-rays.
     
    We are committed to supporting the existing and future ecosystem of streaming video services. Currently, popular streaming services do not use DTS and most use Dolby Digital encoding, which PLAYBAR supports.
     
    We are aware that PLAYBAR is being connected by customers to devices other than the television. In this configuration, when PLAYBAR receives a DTS signal, it will not process the signal.  If you are not able to connect your PLAYBAR directly to your TV and would like to explore solutions, please click here. 
     
    If DTS support is crucial for your current set-up, PLAYBAR may not be the right solution for you and we apologize for this inconvenience.  If you are currently a PLAYBAR owner and would like to discuss options, please contact Sonos Customer Care.
     
    We’ll be actively monitoring TV and streaming services capabilities and trends. If our development stance around DTS decoding in PLAYBAR changes, this community will be among the first to know. 

    I am absolutely disgusted by this decision and want to return my playbar, sub and 2 x play1! Infact I am so shocked I may even dispose of the rest of my sonos gear, 3 x play5 and 2 x play3. I was happy with my original equipment however I would never have invested further in the brand and purchased the additional 5.1 setup had I known about the DTS problem. The advertising is misleading and should be reported. How can the sonos development team, management and board of directors think this is an acceptable resolution to the second most complained about topic on their website? It is unbelievable that one of the most expensive sound bars and 5.1 systems on the market doesn't support the standard sound format for blu rays. We are many years away from streaming video becoming the norm and blu ray will be here for a long time to come. The standard sound format for streaming video differs depending on the provider and will probably change in the future. If sonos can't or won't provide updates to the playbar decoding we have all purchased an expensive brick! This is not the response I was expecting from a forward thinking tech company at the top of their game. We should have been told many months ago that DTS would not be implemented. You have moved into the home cinema marketplace with a product that is not fully fit for purpose. This is the wrong decision Sonos and is terrible news for your loyal customers !
    Enthusiast I
    January 17, 2014

    Following a careful evaluation, we have decided not to implement support for the DTS audio format in PLAYBAR at this time.
     
    PLAYBAR uses a single optical connection directly from your television and was designed this way to make it as easy as possible to set-up and enjoy great HiFi sound.  Most PLAYBAR owners connect PLAYBAR to their TV in this simple way. This is the intended setup for playing the sound from your TV.
     
    Today, very few TVs pass a DTS-encoded audio stream through their optical output.  Instead, the TV or source device converts the audio signal automatically to PCM, which PLAYBAR supports.  This is how PLAYBAR plays DTS-encoded Blu-rays.
     
    We are committed to supporting the existing and future ecosystem of streaming video services. Currently, popular streaming services do not use DTS and most use Dolby Digital encoding, which PLAYBAR supports.
     
    We are aware that PLAYBAR is being connected by customers to devices other than the television. In this configuration, when PLAYBAR receives a DTS signal, it will not process the signal.  If you are not able to connect your PLAYBAR directly to your TV and would like to explore solutions, please click here. 
     
    If DTS support is crucial for your current set-up, PLAYBAR may not be the right solution for you and we apologize for this inconvenience.  If you are currently a PLAYBAR owner and would like to discuss options, please contact Sonos Customer Care.
     
    We’ll be actively monitoring TV and streaming services capabilities and trends. If our development stance around DTS decoding in PLAYBAR changes, this community will be among the first to know. 

    We have had an answer fron SONOS that will upset and disappoint over 1500 of their customers who between them, have or would have spent around £3 million with your company on this product John M, I do not know your position in the company and assume that this decision was not only your's alone. With the numbers of customers involved, it would have been worthwhile if a member of the executive team or head of SONOS had provided a statement on this decision.
    Sonos Staff
    January 17, 2014

    Following a careful evaluation, we have decided not to implement support for the DTS audio format in PLAYBAR at this time.
     
    PLAYBAR uses a single optical connection directly from your television and was designed this way to make it as easy as possible to set-up and enjoy great HiFi sound.  Most PLAYBAR owners connect PLAYBAR to their TV in this simple way. This is the intended setup for playing the sound from your TV.
     
    Today, very few TVs pass a DTS-encoded audio stream through their optical output.  Instead, the TV or source device converts the audio signal automatically to PCM, which PLAYBAR supports.  This is how PLAYBAR plays DTS-encoded Blu-rays.
     
    We are committed to supporting the existing and future ecosystem of streaming video services. Currently, popular streaming services do not use DTS and most use Dolby Digital encoding, which PLAYBAR supports.
     
    We are aware that PLAYBAR is being connected by customers to devices other than the television. In this configuration, when PLAYBAR receives a DTS signal, it will not process the signal.  If you are not able to connect your PLAYBAR directly to your TV and would like to explore solutions, please click here. 
     
    If DTS support is crucial for your current set-up, PLAYBAR may not be the right solution for you and we apologize for this inconvenience.  If you are currently a PLAYBAR owner and would like to discuss options, please contact Sonos Customer Care.
     
    We’ll be actively monitoring TV and streaming services capabilities and trends. If our development stance around DTS decoding in PLAYBAR changes, this community will be among the first to know. 

    @Calum

    Neil asked a similar hypothetical earlier in the thread so if you don't mind, I'm going to answer the two of you together. 

    We will continue to actively monitor industry events and trends.  Netflix switching from Dolby Digital to DTS would be a fairly major event, as Netflix is currently the leader in the streaming world.  We would certainly reevaluate this decision as a result, to be certain it was still the right one.  That said, the vast majority of televisions do not pass DTS audio through their optical ports at this time, so that would be an important consideration as well.

    Outside of the hypothetical scenario, Netflix is presently offering Dolby Digital Plus content through certain platforms.  DD+ is a bit different from DTS as it’s not capable of being transmitted over the optical connection since it requires higher bandwidth than optical can provide.  Typically it’s down-converted to the bandwidth of Dolby Digital, and is considered backwards compatible by Dolby.
    Trending Lyricist I
    January 17, 2014

    Following a careful evaluation, we have decided not to implement support for the DTS audio format in PLAYBAR at this time.
     
    PLAYBAR uses a single optical connection directly from your television and was designed this way to make it as easy as possible to set-up and enjoy great HiFi sound.  Most PLAYBAR owners connect PLAYBAR to their TV in this simple way. This is the intended setup for playing the sound from your TV.
     
    Today, very few TVs pass a DTS-encoded audio stream through their optical output.  Instead, the TV or source device converts the audio signal automatically to PCM, which PLAYBAR supports.  This is how PLAYBAR plays DTS-encoded Blu-rays.
     
    We are committed to supporting the existing and future ecosystem of streaming video services. Currently, popular streaming services do not use DTS and most use Dolby Digital encoding, which PLAYBAR supports.
     
    We are aware that PLAYBAR is being connected by customers to devices other than the television. In this configuration, when PLAYBAR receives a DTS signal, it will not process the signal.  If you are not able to connect your PLAYBAR directly to your TV and would like to explore solutions, please click here. 
     
    If DTS support is crucial for your current set-up, PLAYBAR may not be the right solution for you and we apologize for this inconvenience.  If you are currently a PLAYBAR owner and would like to discuss options, please contact Sonos Customer Care.
     
    We’ll be actively monitoring TV and streaming services capabilities and trends. If our development stance around DTS decoding in PLAYBAR changes, this community will be among the first to know. 

    So now we have to make a new DTS support tread. Sonos think About it! You have make a big mistake advertising that 2x play 3. Sub. And playbar is 5.1 .... Well .... It is not!