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joshsnook
Contributor I
February 21, 2016
Question

Surround PLAY:1's not working while watching TV but work with Netflix & music streaming

  • February 21, 2016
  • 15 replies
  • 1725 views
I just set up my second playbar with two PLAY:1's as surrounds. The PLAY:1's seem to work when listening to streamed Pandora music or when watching Netflix but don't seem to have any sound when watching cable TV. When watching cable TV, the playbar seems to be the only sound being generated. Is this normal or is there likely something wrong with my setup that is causing my surrounds to not work when watching cable TV? Thanks in advance.
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    15 replies

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    Ryan S
    Ryan S
    Retired Sonos Staff
    January 2, 2018
    I'll suggest it along. I think it might offend some purists but they still listen to requests 🙂
    Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.
      camillo777
      Headliner I
      January 4, 2018
      I'll suggest it along. I think it might offend some purists but they still listen to requests :)

      Thank you Ryan!
      Just another information because I would like to buy the playbar (maybe a v2)...
      When in surround configuration with play 1 (or play 3) when it plays music, only the play 1 are playing music or also the playbar as well?
      Because the same i would like to use both for ambient music.

      Thank you
      Camillo
      Mcdo5950
      Lyricist I
      January 9, 2018
      I just needed to update the setting on my cable box. Now most of the channels come through surround sound.
        Airgetlam
        Airgetlam
        January 9, 2018
        Camillo ,

        If I may answer your question, since I'm betting Ryan is pretty busy right now.

        When in a surround setup, the PLAYBAR and the surrounds are both playing the music (when not on TV). There is a setting in the advanced settings of the controller app that allows you to chose whether the surrounds are support for the PLAYBAR, or a full set of stereo speakers in addition to the PLAYBAR. This can be set up for just music, and they will continue to work as surrounds when processing TV Dolby Digital signals.
        Bruce
          camillo777
          Headliner I
          January 14, 2018
          I'll suggest it along. I think it might offend some purists but they still listen to requests :)

          Hi @Ryan,
          I just discovered that it was asked many times in this forum by many people, it is a common and old request:

          https://en.community.sonos.com/wireless-speakers-228992/how-can-i-switch-to-full-tv-surround-6487238

          https://en.community.sonos.com/wireless-speakers-228992/full-stereo-option-when-watching-tv-audio-please-6341426/index4.html

          I think something can be done by Sonos to fulfill this request.

          Thank you
          Camillo
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