Solving the 5.1, DTS issues with the Playbar

Hi.
In your setup, when playing dts disc on ps3 does the ps3 convert dts to dd5.1 and outputs via hdmi into the switch?
Also, the monoprice switch indicates that it supports 1080p@60hz. Does that mean it would downgrade 120hz source to 60hz?
Thanks

Does the ps3 do that? I think from what I have read is if the source is only in DTS it won't convert it to DD. But I could he wrong.

I am still waiting for Dolby support for my Xbox One, hopefully they will patch it soon to provide support for it.

Thanks for all your helpful posts regarding optimizing 5.1 surround sound. I'm about to purchase an Oppo BDP 103 and was hoping that I could get all the connections detailed so that I can make sure I'm getting all the cabling that I need.

Current equipment:
Sharp 60" TV
Sonos PlayBar
Sonos Sub
Comcast XFinity HD DVR Cable Box

Future:
Oppo BDP 103
2 Sonos Play 1's or Play 3's

Thanks in advance!

I tried out an Oppo 103D for a week to see if it was a worthwhile workaround to the DTS issue. Problem I experienced was a cracking and popping sound with the Playbar. I never had that issue with my Sony player, or by connecting my Apple TV or Directv box via optical. Has anyone else noticed the hissing or popping sound using their Oppo? In particular, components that are piped through the Oppo into the Playbar? Thanks.

jgaepi,

While a track is struggling, send a diagnostic to SONOS and note the confirmation number. Follow up with an email referencing that number.

Here is my experience!

TV: Sony 4k 55" TV - XBR-55X850A - This TV does do DD5.1 pass via HDMI to Optical without any issues. Also does DD5.1 from all built in Apps that support 5.1, and from over the air TV.

XBOX One - Only supports: Uncompressed 5.1, 7.1, or Stereo over HDMI to the TV. You can only use Stereo since the Uncompressed sources won't give you any sound. Also via the Optical port it only supports DTS and Stereo, so again Stereo only. Microsoft claims they will have a "Dolby" patch at some point in the future.........

PS4 - PS4 Supports Dolby 5.1 via HDMI or Optical. For games (and the OS) you can use HDMI (DD5.1) and it will pass DD5.1 to the PlayBar via the TV.

But what about DTS? Well...
If you setup the PS4 like the following (PS4 HDMI > TV > Optical Out > PlayBar ) then you will only get Stereo when doing something with DTS sound. Even when you tell the PS4 to use BITSTREAM (Dolby) as the "preferred" audio method via HDMI.

BUT....

If you setup the PS4 using optical cable directly to the Playbar, and then change the PS4 to use Optical Output and only select DD5.1. When you playing a movie that has DTS, you get a new sound option within the Blu Ray player "BITSTREAM(MIX)" and it will play the DTS movie in DD5.1 to the PlayBar. But again this only works when you use optical output directly to the Playbar. (I would assume it would work with an optical splitter as well?)

I also assume if Sony added the "BITSTREAM(MIX)" option for HDMI sound output, then you could use a TV that does Pass DD5.1.

Hopefully this helps anyone who was wondering what would happen when using the PS4 and/or Xbox One.

At least I can now play my DTS movies via the PS4, even if I have to just plug in the Playbar directly when I want to watch them in surround sound.

How does the ps4 perform as a blu ray player?

Read the forums and other online sources on this issue. Looks like the Samsung bd-f5900 can output almost any codec as bitstream Dolby. It decodes the bd signal then reencoded it as Dolby digital (if you set it to). Might be a cheaper workaround than the $500 oppo player. It has an optical out that could go directly to the playbar. might just add a $7 optical switch to switch between optical directly from the tv to optical from the bd player when necessary. I just got this setup (without the switch yet).

BUT....

If you setup the PS4 using optical cable directly to the Playbar, and then change the PS4 to use Optical Output and only select DD5.1. When you playing a movie that has DTS, you get a new sound option within the Blu Ray player "BITSTREAM(MIX)" and it will play the DTS movie in DD5.1 to the PlayBar. But again this only works when you use optical output directly to the Playbar. (I would assume it would work with an optical splitter as well?)

I also assume if Sony added the "BITSTREAM(MIX)" option for HDMI sound output, then you could use a TV that does Pass DD5.1.

Hopefully this helps anyone who was wondering what would happen when using the PS4 and/or Xbox One.

At least I can now play my DTS movies via the PS4, even if I have to just plug in the Playbar directly when I want to watch them in surround sound.

This is exactly the kind of clear information that is very helpful. Thanks!

Read the forums and other online sources on this issue. Looks like the Samsung bd-f5900 can output almost any codec as bitstream Dolby. It decodes the bd signal then reencoded it as Dolby digital (if you set it to). Might be a cheaper workaround than the $500 oppo player. It has an optical out that could go directly to the playbar. might just add a $7 optical switch to switch between optical directly from the tv to optical from the bd player when necessary. I just got this setup (without the switch yet).

MrWoofer,

So you are confirming that the Samsung BD-F5900 can convert the DTS track of a disc to Dolby Digital "on the fly" and output that DD 5.1 track over the optical out? If so that is indeed a great and relatively affordable solution.

How does the ps4 perform as a blu ray player?

Just fine to me... Right now it doesn't support "3D" but that is supposed to be added later via a software update...

Both the Xbox One and the PS4 seem equal performing as a BluRay player, expect that the Xbox One doesn't support any type of Dolby Digital at all right now.