Avid Contributor I

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Sonos Arc HDMI in?

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I like the look of the new Arc. Sonos seems to be catching up but they always seem to be a step behind. There doesn't seem to be a HDMI in for a Dolby Atmos device, like the Apple TV. I take it that means a lot of people will need to also buy a new TV, adding to the cost. Am I correct in thinking that my not that old Sony TV will not pass through Dolby Atmos over HDMI from my Apple TV as the TV is not Dolby Atmos even though the Apple TV is? I'm thinking a newer TV is also required with a newer HDMI port?

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jgatieAnswer

Thanks, I hope that is the case. I have a Beam at the moment. My TV has arc but not earc. It is about 3 years old so is not Dolby Atmos itself. I was under the impression that this would not pass Dolby Atmos to the Sonos. I had read that a newer HDMI 2.1 earc standard was required.

ARC will pass Atmos with DD+ encoding. eARC is required for Atmos with TrueHD (lossless) encoding.

jgatie

As long as you have an ARC or eArc capable TV, Atmos will be passed.

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RoninDevilAuthor

Avid Contributor I

Thanks, I hope that is the case. I have a Beam at the moment. My TV has arc but not earc. It is about 3 years old so is not Dolby Atmos itself. I was under the impression that this would not pass Dolby Atmos to the Sonos. I had read that a newer HDMI 2.1 earc standard was required.

106rallye

Not even my 2019 Samsung QE90Q65 has eARC (though it is rumoured to get it). So be careful which TV you choose....

jgatieAnswer

Thanks, I hope that is the case. I have a Beam at the moment. My TV has arc but not earc. It is about 3 years old so is not Dolby Atmos itself. I was under the impression that this would not pass Dolby Atmos to the Sonos. I had read that a newer HDMI 2.1 earc standard was required.

ARC will pass Atmos with DD+ encoding. eARC is required for Atmos with TrueHD (lossless) encoding.

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RoninDevilAuthor

Avid Contributor I

A HDMI in would solve any worries, just plug my Apple TV in.

jgatie

A HDMI in would solve any worries, just plug my Apple TV in.

Why are you worried?

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RoninDevilAuthor

Avid Contributor I

I will be upgrading to this when I've saved up a bit, I do like my beam, but I'm concerned that my TV might not pass through the Atmos. It says DD+ in the instructions. It was bought before Amos became big on TV branding.

jgatie

Here’s a list (you would need Dolby Digital 5.1 via ARC):

https://www.rtings.com/tv/tests/inputs/5-1-surround-audio-passthrough

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Marc_51

Enthusiast II

Isn’t DD+ a compressed version of Atmos? True Atmos and TrueHD will need eARC. I don’t know why Sonos can’t do what other manufacturers do and just add some HDMI inputs. This would also solve some issues people have with lip sync issues on the beam via the TV ARC output. Also there is no word from Sonos if the Arc will play uncompressed LPCM (which is what something like the AppleTV, Xbox series x, etc will output). Was going to go for an upgrade from my Beam to the Arc but there seem to be too many compromises yet again. Think I’ll look at something like the Sony ST5000 instead.

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RoninDevilAuthor

Avid Contributor I

Thanks for that. I wonder if the beam will get a codec upgrade, maybe to DD+

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