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Matt_28
Contributor I
March 12, 2015

Samsung TV won't pass through 5.1 on optical out if input is HDMI, need suggestions

I have a Playbar, and a Samsung TV that won't pass through 5.1 from its optical out if the input is HDMI. Our Motorola cable box is connected to our TV using HDMI, and I want to get the 5.1 when I watch TV.

I've looked through the questions and answers posted here and elsewhere, and it seems like some people have used an HDMI switch from Monoprice with an optical out to get around this problem.  The suggestion is to connect the HDMI source to the HDMI switch, and the HDMI switch sends out the full 5.1 audio through the optical out and into the Playbar.  (I'll call this the "HDMI switch" approach.)  

The other approach is to connect the cable box's optical out directly to the Playbar.  (I'll call this the "cable box direct" approach.)  This works, but I don't like this approach because we leave our cable box on at all times, and when we turn off the TV, the Playbar still plays audio from the cable box, as the Playbar has no idea that the TV's been turned off.  It's an inconvenience that I don't want to have to deal with.  

Note that with either approach, there is no physical connection from the TV to the Playbar.  

Having said all that, the main issue for me is that we use the TV's built-in Netflix and Amazon Video apps.  If I went with the HDMI switch approach, then, when we watch Netflix, there will be no audio sent to the Playbar.  

I looked into HDMI switches and ARC (using ARC to send the Netflix audio back to the HDMI switch, then out to the optical out), but this doesn't seem like it's been tested.  

I also thought about using an optical out switch, where I could switch between optical out sources.  However, to do this, I would have to get an HDMI switch with optical out, then connect that optical output into the optical out switch, then to the Playbar.  That seems like a lot of work/money/effort.  

Any suggestions?  
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    36 replies

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    Al M.
    Contributor I
    December 27, 2015
    I also Have the Samsung UN55HU8550 4K. and cannot get the 5.1 sound . Can anyone tell me if the Samsung one connect 2500U will satisfy the need for a HDMI switch in order to get the 5.1 signal. Samsung Tech support is not the greatest and more scripted.
    Thanks
    Al
    gaurav_2
    Lyricist I
    January 5, 2016
    How things work when you are playing from TV (ota channels). I have nvidia shield tv box+ Samsung box+sonos bar+sonos 1x2+sonos sub. Things work fine when played via tv directly (ota channels).
    I dont get 5.1 out when playing via shield, does this solution will fix my issue?

    Also how to switch audio between tv and shield using your solution?
      Danielmccarron
      Lyricist I
      February 28, 2016
      I have a Playbar, and a Samsung TV that won't pass through 5.1 from its optical out if the input is HDMI. Our Motorola cable box is connected to our TV using HDMI, and I want to get the 5.1 when I watch TV.

      I've looked through the questions and answers posted here and elsewhere, and it seems like some people have used an HDMI switch from Monoprice with an optical out to get around this problem.  The suggestion is to connect the HDMI source to the HDMI switch, and the HDMI switch sends out the full 5.1 audio through the optical out and into the Playbar.  (I'll call this the "HDMI switch" approach.)  

      The other approach is to connect the cable box's optical out directly to the Playbar.  (I'll call this the "cable box direct" approach.)  This works, but I don't like this approach because we leave our cable box on at all times, and when we turn off the TV, the Playbar still plays audio from the cable box, as the Playbar has no idea that the TV's been turned off.  It's an inconvenience that I don't want to have to deal with.  

      Note that with either approach, there is no physical connection from the TV to the Playbar.  

      Having said all that, the main issue for me is that we use the TV's built-in Netflix and Amazon Video apps.  If I went with the HDMI switch approach, then, when we watch Netflix, there will be no audio sent to the Playbar.  

      I looked into HDMI switches and ARC (using ARC to send the Netflix audio back to the HDMI switch, then out to the optical out), but this doesn't seem like it's been tested.  

      I also thought about using an optical out switch, where I could switch between optical out sources.  However, to do this, I would have to get an HDMI switch with optical out, then connect that optical output into the optical out switch, then to the Playbar.  That seems like a lot of work/money/effort.  

      Any suggestions?  

      Danielmccarron
      Lyricist I
      February 28, 2016
      I have my cable connected to the PLAYBAR which is fine. What stinks is I have to unplug the optical cable and use an optical coming from my DVD player very tie I watch a DVD. Also no volume from my TV when I use Internet TV Netflix. Totally sucks.
      justbuz
      Contributor I
      March 13, 2016
      I have this same basic problem. However, my Samsung “Smart” TV has two HDMI ports (STB and DVI), and neither supports ARC, so I don’t think the Monoprice 7974 will help me. In order to (1) get 5.1 audio from my HDMI-connected DVR to my PLAYBAR, and (2) retain the 5.1 audio that my direct Toslink connection (TV out to Soundbar) is already providing for Smart TV apps and OTA/antenna channels, I assume I will need an HDMI switch that has at least one Toslink input (for connecting the TV’s optical out). Does that sound right? And could such a switch possibly exist (and still be available) for under $100? If so, I haven't found it yet.
      AJPCarr
      Lyricist I
      March 28, 2016
      Hi guys,
      I have the exact same problem with my setup but I cannot get this to work even with a HDMI splitter. I have a Samsung 6 series smart tv and Sonos Playbar. In order to get Dolby 5.1 from my cable box (or sky box), I have to connect the optical cable from cable box direct to the playbar. However, I like to use the tv in built apps like Netflix and Amazon video, but in order for me to get Dolby when using these services, I have to directly connect the optical from the player to the TV. So to prevent having to switch cables around the whole time, I bought an equivalent HDMI splitter with optical out hoping this would resolve my issue (its not exactly the same as the mono price switch but should do the same job)

      http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portta-Switcher-Toslink-Digital-Splitter/dp/B00DZIXIMQ

      So I now have the setup like this:-

      - HDMI cable from cable box (Sky box) going to HDMI input 1 on the HDMI splitter
      - Playbar optical going to optical connection on the HDMI splitter
      - HDMI cable going from HDMI 2 (Arc) on the tv to the Output on the splitter

      Now I can get Dolby when using my Cable box using this setup however, as soon as I come to use Netflix or Amazon prime there is no sound output to the playbar. I have played around with the HDMI CEC settings on the tv (turned it on and off) and still it will not work. My question is, which switch number (1-4) do we have to have the HDMI splitter on to know it is to output the sound from the tv to the playbar? If I select HDMI 1 on the splitter it works for the cable box(sky) as this is what it is connected to but when we switch the tv to Netflix how does the splitter know which input to take the sound from to output to the playbar? (Sorry hope this makes sense).

      Any help would be appreciated.
        Peep
        Lyricist III
        April 16, 2016
        I have a JU6700 and figured out how to get DD 5.1 from its optical output and only using the builtin HDMI. No need for a HDMI switcher.
        Considering this is a low-end Series 6 TV, I would expect it works on all higher Series Samsung models (I believe they all use the same SmartTV OS).

        I posted this in avsforum but I thought I would also post here.

        The issue was getting Dolby Digital selected...

        Seems that the option to select Dolby Digital was grayed out and only PCM was selectable (well, and a DTS Neo 2:5 which I didn't know what that is). Sending a DD 5.1 signal to TV but the Playbar would still only see a stereo signal.

        On my TV... Menu, Sound, Additional Settings, Audio Format.

        What I eventually figured out is that I had to play back a video with Dolby Digital, and "while" it was playing, then I could go into this same TV settings menu and then select Dolby Digital. Once I did this, the TV seems to remember the setting and will flip between PCM and Dolby Digital depending on the source.

        I also use AppleTV and MrMC (which is a Kodi port). After setting the TV as above, it was working for DD 5.1 but I could not get DTS transcode to work. I followed these instructions I found online to set MrMC sound settings:

        Set "number of channels" to 2.0.
        "Output configuration" to optimised.
        "Enable Passthrough" on
        "AC3 capable receiver" on
        " - Enable Dolby Digital transcoding" on
        "DTS capable receiver" off

        This is supposed to transcode to DD5.1 on the fly but I just get silence when playing a DTS movie.
        After experimenting I changed the first line, number of channels, from 2.0 to 5.1 and now it works perfect. MrMC transcodes DTS to Dolby Digital 5.1 on the fly. I can verify in Sonos App it sees Dolby Digital 5.1 (Sonos, About Sonos System).

        Plex on AppleTV also is transcoding same DTS to Dolby Digital 5.1 without any additional settings (believe it picks up AppleTV settings) and maybe the server is doing something... I don't really use Plex that much and prefer MrMC but this is nice to know. Infuse - didn't bother trying.

        However there is something to be aware of - Plex App on Samsung TV outputs Dolby 5.1 movies but when it sees a DTS it won't transcode DTS to Dolby Digital 5.1 and defaults to PCM. Here is strange thing - I find that once after playing a DTS movie in this TV Plex app then everything else plays as PCM Stereo. I have to go back and manually select Dolby Digital again in the TV for subsequently DD 5.1 videos afterwards (eg. playing back from AppleTV) or it defaults to PCM/Stereo in the TV optical out. Not sure if other TV apps have same affect. Keep this in mind that the settings may change if using the SmartTV apps. I checked all the sound settings and this is not fixable. Solution for now is to not use the SmartTV Plex app (I just was curious about it and how it worked on the TV anyways).

        Hope this helps those who are having issues with Samsung TVs and Sonos Playbar.

        BTW, I just added a Sonos sub and it makes a HUGE difference. Much more noticeable at home than the bad demo setup in Best Buy..
          Faisel
          Lyricist I
          May 22, 2016
          I have a very similar problem.

          I have my SAMSUNG TV as an HDMI hub to all my electronics including a PS4, and 2 STB (yes two because monopoly).

          When playing my PS4, I get 5.1 no problem, but when watching my HD channels on both my STBs (switched their Audio Settings to HDMI Dolby Digital Plus), I get complete silence, when I switch the channel to one that does not support DD, I get the Stereo sound back on.

          Basically, because I have this problem, I am unable to actually get the 5.1 experience from both my STBs.. I only get the lousy stereo sound. I really really would hate to get a switch because I am satisfied with having the only ONE Samsung remote through the power of the (not perfect) CEC, but it does the job.. .
          HighDrive
          Contributor II
          June 2, 2016
          Matt - One year in, do you still like your setup? I may try to mimic it exactly.

          Hi everyone, 

          An update - I got everything to work as I wanted.  

          I got this switch from Monoprice - http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=7974 - and set it up like this:

          - HDMI from cable box into Monoprice switch
          - HDMI from TV into Monoprice switch (the ARC HDMI slot - this is important)
          - Optical from Monoprice switch to PlayBar

          At first, I wasn't getting 5.1 sound to the PlayBar with this setup.  I read the manual that came with the switch, and changed the jumper setting to pull/push 5.1 no matter what (Mode 2), and that solved the issue.  The jumpers are on the back (there are three switches).  

          Now, when I watch TV, I have 5.1 sound.  And, when I watch Netflix through the Netflix app on the TV, I have 5.1 sound then as well.

          I did have some issues with the HDMI-CEC Support between the TV and the switch and trying to get that to work.  When I turned off the TV, the CEC commands would turn off the switch fine, but it wouldn't turn the switch back on when the TV was turned on.  Ultimately, I ended up turning CEC off on the TV.  Now the switch is on 24/7, but I have it tucked behind the TV, so it's not a big deal for me.  

          Hope this helps someone.  

          -Matt

          Toomeyf
          Contributor I
          July 13, 2016
          I have a question for Peep: precisely what did you mean by "play back a video with Dolby Digital"? I'm having the identical issue, i.e., I'm getting sound from my Playbar but I don't hear anything from my Play1 surround speakers or my sub (although I MAY be hearing some FAINT sub, although it's hard for me to tell) when I'm using my Time Warner Cable-supplied Cisco 9865HDC DVR. The DVR is HDMI-connected to my Samsung UN50KU6300FXZA UHD TV, via the Samsung's HDMI-1/DVI interface. When you were "playing back a video", precisely how were you doing that and which TV input were you using? I have a Samsung Blu-Ray player plugged into the TV's HDMI-2, so I could test that, but my wife has apparently hidden all of our DVDs, so I'll have to find out where she has stashed them to test.
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