Solving the 5.1, DTS issues with the Playbar

Not sure if you have these in mind, but no need to buy a PS3/PS4 if you don't want the gaming capacity. My understanding, both from confirmation on these forums and via the user manuals, is that most Samsung Bluray players can reencode DTS into DD (certainly the BD-F6500 and BD-F7500 of the recent models). I can't personally vouch for the quality of those players (the user reviews rather oddly range from average to very good), although many people have suggested that there is very little difference in terms of picture quality between any Bluray player when playing 1080p material, apart from perhaps if you spend a fortune on a reference standard player. The Samsung players are significantly cheaper than the PS3/PS4.

I have found this manual for the BD-F6500 which shows on page 64 that there is an optical output "Re-encoded Dolby D" bitstream option. When selecting this, it seems that ALL Blu-ray tracks (DTS, DD, DD+, PCM etc) are re-encoded to DD before being output over optical. This is great news! Might pick up the BD-F6500 (£99 in the UK).

Discussion is fine but, as I said, it seems very silly to expect or demand an update, or complain about a lack of recent update (as some have) when it's pretty obvious that the status hasn't changed.

Cheers,

Keith

Even worse is to complain about no timely updates, then complain about no new information when your complaint for a timely update is answered.

Even worse is to complain about no timely updates, then complain about no new information when your complaint for a timely update is answered.

I sense a feeling of deja vu here but its good to see people are still willing to voice their opinions which is what it's all about.

So guys do we think Playbar 2 will include HDMI switching which is really what a future DTS enabled unit in this price range needs or am I off base with that ?

So guys do we think Playbar 2 will include HDMI switching which is really what a future DTS enabled unit in this price range needs or am I off base with that ?

I am more concerned about all those like me who have invested in playbar 1 along with other components to get surround sound.

So guys do we think Playbar 2 will include HDMI switching which is really what a future DTS enabled unit in this price range needs or am I off base with that ?

I highly doubt there will ever be a Playbar 2.

Did that title get your attention? Good. I'm actually here to defend the complainers.

If there was a comparable alternative, that's where people would go. However, no one else is currently able to offer an experience like Sonos. So, our only hope is that Sonos will be able to add this last piece to the puzzle.

Also, folks have no idea what it takes to implement such a change. It seems so easy from where we're sitting. "Heck, if freaking Vizio can do it, why can't Sonos?! Right?" But there must be something difficult holding Sonos back on this. Is this DTS issue not the biggest heartache of Sonos users? One "little" thing could make so many of us so happy. Why don't they just do it? There must be a reason, because I'm sure Sonos isn't stalling just to piss us off. But it's still frustrating.

The forums with the most heated debates are a result of having the most passionate users. Sonos owners LOVE their systems. They want them to be perfect. They are so close to perfect. It's like owning a Ferrari in a sea of Fiats - except your Ferrari won't turn left. To have such a beautiful and powerful piece of equipment that is one step away from being everything you hoped for is...frustrating.

As for the kids in the car, they never ask "Are we there yet?" on the way to the dentist. But they will ask every mile on the way to Disney. These customers and potential customers are excited. They can't wait for Sonos to deliver on their expectations. It can get old and repetitive, but cut them some slack.

There are probably a dozen reasons why Sonos can't divulge more information around their DTS roadmap - competetive secrecy, ongoing vendor negotiations, etc. But it would be so nice to know what they are up to on this.

Sincerely,

One of the kids in the back seat on the way to Disney:D

I think that ght001's Disney metaphor is spot on when it comes to describing the perfectly normal response of someone who loves Sonos in general but is not completely happy with the implementation of the Playbar.

The fact is that Sonos chose the intended use of the Playbar to be that you wire all your sources to the TV and wire the optical out of the TV to the Playbar. The second fact is that people have found some creative ways discussed in this thread to try to get around this intended use to use the Playbar as they would like rather than Sonos intended. The unfortunate consequence of of using something not as it was intended is you can run into problems, such as silence when a Bluray player is directly connected to the Playbar and the disc only has a DTS track.

When the Playbar came out, I was disappointed. My analysis of it, for me personally and not necessarily for others, was that it's limitations made it suitable for a secondary viewing area such as a master bedroom, but not for my primary viewing area in the living room. As a result, I don't own a Playbar.

When it comes to Sonos in General, the kids in the backseat are used to going to Disney. Unfortunately when it comes to the Playbar, they are disappointed to learn that this time the car is headed to the local carnival and not to Disney. All the heated conversation on this issue is their attempt to change the destination to Disney. Unfortunately all indications are that the parents (Sonos) have no intention of changing direction.

I think that ght001's Disney metaphor is spot on when it comes to describing the perfectly normal response of someone who loves Sonos in general but is not completely happy with the implementation of the Playbar.

The fact is that Sonos chose the intended use of the Playbar to be that you wire all your sources to the TV and wire the optical out of the TV to the Playbar. The second fact is that people have found some creative ways discussed in this thread to try to get around this intended use to use the Playbar as they would like rather than Sonos intended. The unfortunate consequence of of using something not as it was intended is you can run into problems, such as silence when a Bluray player is directly connected to the Playbar and the disc only has a DTS track.

When the Playbar came out, I was disappointed. My analysis of it, for me personally and not necessarily for others, was that it's limitations made it suitable for a secondary viewing area such as a master bedroom, but not for my primary viewing area in the living room. As a result, I don't own a Playbar.

When it comes to Sonos in General, the kids in the backseat are used to going to Disney. Unfortunately when it comes to the Playbar, they are disappointed to learn that this time the car is headed to the local carnival and not to Disney. All the heated conversation on this issue is their attempt to change the destination to Disney. Unfortunately all indications are that the parents (Sonos) have no intention of changing direction.

Thanks. That sums up my feeling in a way that I was finding it difficult to put into words.

I too would love to have a Playbar system but I feel that with the inherent 'design flaw' (in my opinion) I just can't make any use of it.

None of my televisions will pass through correctly and only 1 out of 3 of them actually has an optical out anyway. The beauty of Sonos for me has always been the simplicity of the system and the way it just works. Looking at the way people have to buy external switches and employ other workarounds just to make it work for them makes me cringe.

Well for what its worth Sony have lost another system sale as yesterday instead of going for a full playbar and two play 1s for a second room - i wired up an old Sony DG820 amp to existing speakers and am now getting full DTS HD master audio from a 5 year old amp that only cost £220 new !!
I recently bought a playbar and play 1s for the family room and fairlyhappy with it except for the lack of DTS which i have worked around with a 4 way optical switch
But rather that put another playbar in the other room i now have a solution which allows me to play all my blurays and. Dts dvds

I would have preferred a second sonos 5.0 setup but wont recommend it until they sort out the Dts issue