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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

    Lyricist I
    January 18, 2014
    Count my vote.

    I found the same problem with my tv, LG 39LA6208. it passes DTS, DD and any other stream on to my playbar. So my Blu-ray movies play in complete silence or 2.0 PCM....
    Lyricist II
    January 18, 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. 

    Like Raum86 I also invested in The Playbar + 2 Play 3 both for music and surround. I was aware of the lacking of DTS but thought it would of course be added with a software update. Since I was primarily buying the system for listening to music and having surround from the set top box and netflix streaming I wasn't too worried. It was not until I learned that most Blu-Rays these days don't come with DD5.1 track that I got a little frustrated. As many people I haven't been able to hear the difference between a DTS track and a DD5.1 track, so if it weren't for the DTS only on (most) of my blu-rays I'd be happy man. 

    Therefore this turn of events felt like a kick in the b…. Anyway, I started searching around the forum and deeply embedded in one of the many threads regarding this limitation I found a solution for my setup, at least. I use the PS3 for games as well as BD-playback and the PS (and PS4) is actually able to convert the DTS signal to a great sounding DD5.1 track. You'll have the surround experience even on your BD DTS only tracks. 

    It's not that obvious how this takes place, but these are the steps to achieve it: 

    Sound settings > optical output > choose only Dolby Digital 5.1 and leave the others blank (some are preselected and can't be unselected, that's fine)

    Vidoe settings > BD audio output format (optical digital) > bitstream (mix)

    This solution requires that you connect Playbar directly to the PS3, but that can be done using a switch. 

    I know this tip might be 'redundant' as it has appeared elsewhere on the forum, but I just want as many people with PS3/PS4 setup to know that quality surround sound from BD with DTS only is possible with Playbar setup. 
    Contributor III
    January 18, 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 just don't have any words for this decision. I really hope you are reconsidering this in the near future, Sonos. On the market for multi room music streaming you are one of the best, if not the best. And you do a great job with updating and enhancing this service further on a regular basis. BUT with the Playbar and the 1s/3s as rears you entered the market for home theater surround sound systems. And the lack of DTS support just throws you behind your competitors in this segment. I can't believe that the offering of a in-app purchase of the DTS for the willing Playbar owners can produce any financial loss for you. Please rethink!
    Contributor III
    January 18, 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. 

    @ John M:
    You keep saying we should connect our BD players to the TV and because most of the TVs don't pass through DTS it sends a stereo PCM which the Playbar uses to "create a surround experience". While I would never say the Playbars algorithms for emulating 5.1 from 2.0 are bad, you have to admit that it can never ever be as good as the native 5.1 from a DD or DTS signal by far. So this can't honestly the way you want your awesome product to work way under its possibilities. Not with this price tag.

    P.S.: I don't know if you are even in the development team. But either way I believe you have an not so easy job here with all the shitstorm you have to cope with. Therefor I wanna say you are doing it good and in a professional way. But your company should really rethink this issue.
    Enthusiast I
    January 18, 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. 

    The way JohnM talks, "PLAYBAR, like other Sonos products, was designed to be easily upgradable as the technology environment evolves so from a purely technical standpoint, it would be possible to develop a DTS decoding solution. This would of course have to be licensed and approved by DTS." The last sentence really sticks out. Really seems like the two parties couldn't come to an agreement. It takes two to tango, does anyone know what a license fee would cost? Maybe it could be a value added, for the owners who want DTS they would pay extra? I'm grasping at straws now 😞
    jgatie
    January 18, 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. 

    It's not just licensing. There is some talk that DTS wouldn't license a software only solution, that they require some sort of hardware where they control the implementation. Purely speculation, but that would explain the time it took to come to the final result; there was maybe a lot of back and forth going on before DTS finally slammed the door.
    Lyricist III
    January 19, 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. 

    Very very very very very very very poor
    Avid Contributor III
    January 19, 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: no playbar for me !
    Enthusiast I
    January 20, 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 have a playbar and sub, which is awesome but the plan to add two play 1's and create a 5.1 system seems well pointless... I do stream at lot of Netflix and could buy new movies through apple TV, but I'm quite old fashioned in that I like a box n disc that you get with Blu-ray.... Please reconsider Dts or invent/produce a Sonos branded switch box think lol
    Contributor III
    January 20, 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. 

    @ Rich Morris and John M
    The SONOS SWITCH sounds like a good idea. If it's really the case that the DTS company does not license a software only solution (like a DTS supporting firmware update for the Playbar), then perhaps they would approve a new Switch from Sonos. 3 optical in for TV, BD Player and e.g. gaming console, 1 out for the Playbar. The Switch is controllable from the Sonos app and converts DTS to DD5.1. Is this a somehow realistic scenario, John M??
    Perhaps someone should make a request / idea out of it in this forum?! And when we are at it, we could make a separate specifically for a DTS in-app purchase. I mean, if DTS Inc. would claim a license fee for only the people who buy it, Sonos could just top an own profit on top of it and everbody's happy...