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Hello all! 

I have a Beam (gen 1) that is connected via ARC to my Samsung TV. The default TV settings were PCM but I saw that there were Bitstream. I decided to try that but now the sound feels a bit quieter and more hollow. I then selected DTS Neo 2:5 and its hollow but I feel like it has more surround sound to it. Should I revert back to PCM? Whats the best? Thanks!

Setting pictures

https://ibb.co/jy8MGsx
https://ibb.co/XjFBBmZ

I would guess your best audio settings would probably be Bitstream and Dolby Digital.

Describe your setup. What model TV do you have? Are you using any external media devices? What streaming apps do you use?


I would guess your best audio settings would probably be Bitstream and Dolby Digital.

Describe your setup. What model TV do you have? Are you using any external media devices? What streaming apps do you use?

Thank you for the reply!

As seen here, https://ibb.co/jy8MGsx , when I select Bitstream the only Audio format I have is PCM or DTS Neo 2:5. 

I tried PCM with DTS Neo 2:5 and it feels richer and a lot louder. 

I use Netflix, Disney+, Plex and Apple TV +.

Thanks!


Are you using an Apple TV 4K for the apps? If so, under the audio settings for the Apple TV, set the Change Format setting to ON and set the Audio Format to Dolby Digital. Then go back to your TV settings to see if the Dolby Digital option is available.


Are you using an Apple TV 4K for the apps? If so, under the audio settings for the Apple TV, set the Change Format setting to ON and set the Audio Format to Dolby Digital. Then go back to your TV settings to see if the Dolby Digital option is available.

Yes, I have an Apple TV 4K. I just changed the Apple TV to Dolby Digital 5.1 but under my TV option for PCM only PCM or DTS NEO 2:5 is available. Do I need to change my TV back to Bitstream? 


Set HDMI Audio Format to Bitstream and Audio Format to Dolby Digital.


Set HDMI Audio Format to Bitstream and Audio Format to Dolby Digital.

Nope still only have PCM and DTS Neo 2:5 with Bistream and the other ones are grayed out.

Does Dolby Digital Comp do anything? I have that set to RF but the other option is Line. 


What specific model TV do you have?

If you play a movie in Dolby Digital 5.1 from Netflix on the Apple TV is the Dolby Digital setting on the TV still grayed out? What audio format is displayed on the Now Playing screen in the Sonos app?


F9000 with the SEK-3500.

 

OK so once I play something from Netflix in 5.1 I see Dolby Digital available and I select it. It also shows 5.1 in the Sonos App.
 

Now my question is what happens if I don’t play something in 5.1? Will it rever back to DTS and will I need to go back into the menu every single time and select Dolby Digital when I play something in 5.1? 
 

Also what is the main difference between PCM and bitstream? 

Last but not least Dolby Digital is better than DTS Neo 2.5?

 

Thank you so much for your kind help!


Most people with your setup prefer Dolby Digital, but choose whatever setting sounds best to your ears.

It’s good that you are seeing “Dolby Digital 5.1” on the Sonos app. With your setup, this is what you want to see when using the streaming apps.

The Bitstream setting allows you to get 5.1 audio. The PCM setting results in stereo audio.

If you are playing a stereo source, the Beam will just play the audio in “Stereo PCM”. You don’t need to change the settings on your TV unless you think it sounds better on a different setting.


Most people with your setup prefer Dolby Digital, but choose whatever setting sounds best to your ears.

It’s good that you are seeing “Dolby Digital 5.1” on the Sonos app. With your setup, this is what you want to see when using the streaming apps.

The Bitstream setting allows you to get 5.1 audio. The PCM setting results in stereo audio.

If you are playing a stereo source, the Beam will just play the audio in “Stereo PCM”. You don’t need to change the settings on your TV unless you think it sounds better on a different setting.


Thanks! 
 

it looks like it does revert back to PCM. Weird, I’ll need to do more testing to see if when I play 5.1 it goes back to Dolby Digital, which I don’t think it does.


Also, what about my TV setting Dolby Digital Comp Line Or RF?


Also, what about my TV setting Dolby Digital Comp Line Or RF?

Anyone?


Also, what about my TV setting Dolby Digital Comp Line Or RF?

From Samsung:

What is Dolby Digital Comp Setting?

Some digital TV programs provide 5.1-channel Dolby audio. Your Samsung TV converts Dolby audio to stereo audio so that it can play the sound through the TV’s speakers. 

There are two methods to choose from :

  1. RF (Radio frequency) is for better sound at lower volumes.
  1. Line is for higher volumes.

Also, what about my TV setting Dolby Digital Comp Line Or RF?

From Samsung:

What is Dolby Digital Comp Setting?

Some digital TV programs provide 5.1-channel Dolby audio. Your Samsung TV converts Dolby audio to stereo audio so that it can play the sound through the TV’s speakers. 

There are two methods to choose from :

  1. RF (Radio frequency) is for better sound at lower volumes.
  1. Line is for higher volumes.

Thanks….so which one would you choose? I mainly watch movies/series.