Answered

Sonos Playbar only shows Stereo PCM 2.0

  • 1 January 2021
  • 35 replies
  • 19450 views
J

I have

 

Media source: Apple TV (3rd Gen) 

Video Player: Optomo UHD52ALV Projector connected through HDMI from Apple TV

Audio: Sonos Playbar (set up as surround sound with sub + 2 Sonos One) and Connected through Optical cable from Apple TV 

 

When I play Netflix on Apple TV and choose audio English [Original] (5.1) or Amazon Prime to choose a movie with “Dolby Digital Plus” The Sonos app shows the Audio IN as “Stereo PCM 2.0” in both cases.

Checked Sonos App for System Update and shows “Your Sonos system is up to date”.

Bought this audio splitter https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07JDGBBXF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and cant get the 5.1.

Is this even possible?

 

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Best answer by GuitarSuperstar 1 January 2021, 03:32

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35 replies

S

@SilverSun Do you have Change Format and Immersive Audio set to Off on the Apple TV? If this setting still gives you stereo PCM, try setting Change Format to On and choose Dolby Digital.

FYI… since your TV is not equipped with eARC, it cannot play Dolby Atmos audio from the Apple TV 4K. Also, the Apple TV uses Dolby MAT so Dolby Digital Plus audio will play as Multichannel PCM 5.1 out of the Arc.

OK. So I found Audio Format on my AppleTV. It was set to off. When I set it to On, it then displayed Dolby Digital 5.1. But not Dolby Digital Plus I get from the apps built into my TV. 
Then there is Audio Mode on my AppleTV and it’s set to Off. If I toggle it, it changes to 16 bit. So not sure what that’s doing. But you’ve helped greatly. Thank you!

G
Userlevel 7

@SilverSun Do you have Change Format and Immersive Audio set to Off on the Apple TV? If this setting still gives you stereo PCM, try setting Change Format to On and choose Dolby Digital.

FYI… since your TV is not equipped with eARC, it cannot play Dolby Atmos audio from the Apple TV 4K. Also, the Apple TV uses Dolby MAT so Dolby Digital Plus audio will play as Multichannel PCM 5.1 out of the Arc, unless you adjust the Change Format setting to Dolby Digital which will result in Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
S

I also am having this issue all of a sudden. I’ve been getting dolby 5.1 on prime video for the past month or two I’ve been using it constantly, within the past two weeks it only shows on the app  that it is playing stereo PCM. Nothing changed and I don’t think I have played with any connections, definitely not within the past week or two. I would have noticed. I will call sonos but I hope someone figures this out. All speakers are playing and sub but it sounds like, well, two way stereo. 

I’m having this exact issue!  I got the brand new AppleTV and now everything coming through PCM from the AppleTV. However, if I use the apps built into my Sony x900 it is Dolby Digital Plus on my Sonos app. Not sure what to do…I’ve giggled many things and nothing working. 

R

I also am having this issue all of a sudden. I’ve been getting dolby 5.1 on prime video for the past month or two I’ve been using it constantly, within the past two weeks it only shows on the app  that it is playing stereo PCM. Nothing changed and I don’t think I have played with any connections, definitely not within the past week or two. I would have noticed. I will call sonos but I hope someone figures this out. All speakers are playing and sub but it sounds like, well, two way stereo. 

T
Badge

Not bothered about Disney anyway I was just wondering eh , so theres nothing to worry about then I guess , I get 5.1 from everything else,  sky tv , Amazon prime  , Netflix,  discovery plus and so on .

106rallye
Userlevel 7
Badge +17

I don't think Youtube is ever 5.1. Maybe the Disney+-app on your TV is stereo only too. If the system switches between 5.1 and stereo your surounds are not faulty. It's the source that's causing it.

T
Badge

Yeah I have as a matter of fact,  Netflix,  amazon prime and discovery plus all work fine Disney plus and YouTube only gets sound from the playbar , yeah movies and stuff work fine so it might just be certain things on tv that have 5.1 and that its bot my play comes that are faulty .

S
Userlevel 4
Badge +6

Don't know anything about the skybox. Maybe some stuff will be stereo maybe some will be surround. Try different things particularly movies or TV shows to see what you get.


Have you tried streaming apps on the telly to see what you get there?

2 x Play 1, Playbase, Panasonic EX 600, Panasonic UB420. One, One Sl + submini
T
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No Q Mark's they have L&R next to each and the format is stereo PCM . TV is a 

82UM7600PLB

82'' LG ULTRA HD 4K TV

 

Surly that has dolby digital,  my sky q 2tb box does 

S
Userlevel 4
Badge +6

Under the system tab bottom right. If the surrounds drop they will have question marks instead of L and R.

 

What format is playing can be seen on the room tab now.

2 x Play 1, Playbase, Panasonic EX 600, Panasonic UB420. One, One Sl + submini
T
Badge

How do I check , I'm new to all this sonos stuff 😂😂😂

S
Userlevel 4
Badge +6

Dialog typically only comes from the centre speaker in a surround sound setup, in this case the centre drivers of the playbar. Music, been more of ambient sound will often bemixed to the surround speakers.

 

As mentioned you might want to check in the app for what is being played and whether the surrounds are dropping out or not.

2 x Play 1, Playbase, Panasonic EX 600, Panasonic UB420. One, One Sl + submini
T
Badge

It was working the other day as I watched football and the play ones were working fine , if you know the music that comes on sky sports news when theres a break that works but when they start speaking it's just coming from the playbar , in sonos system info it says the bars audio is stereo PCM 2.0 

106rallye
Userlevel 7
Badge +17

Maybe Sky Sports does DD 5.1 and the other channel doesn't? What does the app say the Playbar is receiving in both circumstances?

T
Badge

Why does my play ones only work for some things , such as , I could have sky sports on then they would stop If i change the channel and go back to sky sports it works again plus i dont use 5Ghz my smart lights and stuff will only work on 2Ghz.

106rallye
Userlevel 7
Badge +17

This does not seem like the same issue. Surrounds dropping is mostly related to wifi interference, and since the surrounds are connected to the soundbar via a dedicated 5Ghz link, the interference is probably in that band…..

T
Badge

Sam issue , I've just got a playbar and 2 play ones , my tv and sky q (2tb box) audio is dolby digital,  the play ones work for about 10 seconds then cut off they also drop sound every few seconds,  not paying all this money for them to do this , sound bar is fine that's always fine just the play ones that keep playing up 😡😡😡

R

Has anyone come across a solution for this as yet? I only got my Sonos Arc, Sub and 2 Play 1’s a couple of weeks ago and no matter whether I use my Sky box, or Apple TV, I only get Stereo PCM 2.0. I have yet to see Dolby Digital or get anywhere near 5.1. Is it something I’m doing wrong or is it the Sonos system? 
The Arc is plugged into my HDMI ARC port on a Samsung ue55d6530. Thanks. 

What are the audio settings set to on the TV, Sky, and Apple TV?

I think I may have found the issue. My tv settings were set to PCM, but in order to find that and access that part of the sound menu, I had to disconnect the arc from the tv to allow me in. Once I had changed it, I plugged the arc back in and I’m now showing Dolby Digital 5.1. So hoping that’s it sorted 🤞

G
Userlevel 7

Has anyone come across a solution for this as yet? I only got my Sonos Arc, Sub and 2 Play 1’s a couple of weeks ago and no matter whether I use my Sky box, or Apple TV, I only get Stereo PCM 2.0. I have yet to see Dolby Digital or get anywhere near 5.1. Is it something I’m doing wrong or is it the Sonos system? 
The Arc is plugged into my HDMI ARC port on a Samsung ue55d6530. Thanks. 

What are the audio settings set to on the TV, Sky, and Apple TV?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
R

Has anyone come across a solution for this as yet? I only got my Sonos Arc, Sub and 2 Play 1’s a couple of weeks ago and no matter whether I use my Sky box, or Apple TV, I only get Stereo PCM 2.0. I have yet to see Dolby Digital or get anywhere near 5.1. Is it something I’m doing wrong or is it the Sonos system? 
The Arc is plugged into my HDMI ARC port on a Samsung ue55d6530. Thanks. 

E

All. Connected via hdmi and fibre 

 

E

I have the same issue... App shows stereo pcm.   Have a Samsung TV and input via ps 4 for netflicks, Disney and prime plus Virgin media from ts own box. I used to get real 5.1 surround but now  just get stereo... Nothing changed except updates to sonos. I have playbase, sub and 2 play 1s...any reason why the 5.1 is suddenly stereo... Can be dsney, Netflix, Virgin and prime all hav e developed issues at the same time?

 

Thanks

M
Userlevel 2
Badge +1

I’ve done a hard reboot of the tv and also factory restored it.  I haven’t factory reset the playbar yet.  The problem just started happening a few weeks ago with the Sonos update.  I guess that’s my only option left at this point.  What a shitty product.

G
Userlevel 7

Have you ever been able to get Dolby Digital 5.1 from your IPTV apps through your Playbar? I would be surprised if any of those apps supported multichannel audio.

I’m not sure to be honest, but the problem is that the sound just stops after 5-10 seconds then I have to click on cable on my tv remote again and it works fine after that.  But why does it work for the first 5-10 seconds and then stop?  This problem only started since the last update.

I was only addressing the Stereo PCM issue.

Have you tried unplugging the Playbar and the TV or disconnecting the Playbar and going through the setup process again?

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
M
Userlevel 2
Badge +1

I’ve also toggled auto play on and off to see if that made a difference, it didn’t.  I even tried my Bose sound bar when the sound cuts out from the Sonos using the same optical cable, and there is sound when I plug in the Bose, just doesn’t work with the Sonos.  

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