Trending Lyricist I

Answered

Am I getting Stereo PCM or 5.1 Multichannel? Sonos vs. Kodi

15 replies
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I am playing an audio file through Kodi running on my Amazon Fire Stick. While the file is playing, the Kodi screen on my TV tells me the file is 5.1, PCM, 48kHz, 6912 kbps and 24 bit. But when I go into my Sonos app on my phone to see what is playing it says Stereo PCM and nothing else. I believe the file to be a 5.1 multi as that is how it was created, but the Sonos app is concerning me that perhaps the file is being downconverted somehow.

Which is giving me the correct information?

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Ken_GriffithsAnswer

It’s HDMI-eARC.

Well the Arc does supports the codec as can be seen here…

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/supported-home-theater-audio-formats

So maybe it’s a HDMI cable issue - The cable linked to the Arc must be HDMI v1.4+ with heac support, So if not using the Sonos supplied cable, then perhaps swap out the cable.. other than that, ensure the TV is set to ‘pass through’ and check to ensure it will pass-through the McPCM audio format.

Airgetlam

Sonos reports what it is receiving. It doesn’t do any conversions.

I don’t use an Amazon fire stick, but I’d first be checking the TV to be certain it could pass through a Dolby Digital signal.

Bruce

106rallye

Missing from the question is what sound @Britfolkgod is actually hearing? Do the rear speakers work or not?

B

BritfolkgodAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

Rear speakers work.

My brother has Sonos Arc and is experiencing the same issue.

B

BritfolkgodAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

Oh and my brother is not using a fire stick but an nVidia shield.

Ken_Griffiths

Oh and my brother is not using a fire stick but an nVidia shield.

Is the soundbar connected over HDMI-ARC, or HDMI-eARC?

B

BritfolkgodAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

It’s HDMI-eARC.

Ken_GriffithsAnswer

It’s HDMI-eARC.

Well the Arc does supports the codec as can be seen here…

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/supported-home-theater-audio-formats

So maybe it’s a HDMI cable issue - The cable linked to the Arc must be HDMI v1.4+ with heac support, So if not using the Sonos supplied cable, then perhaps swap out the cable.. other than that, ensure the TV is set to ‘pass through’ and check to ensure it will pass-through the McPCM audio format.

B

BritfolkgodAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

I think this is the question I really need answered:

Apple Music will play lots of Jethro Tull songs in 5.1 surround sound on my Sonos.

How can I rip my own (legally-purchased) 5.1 mixes in a way that Sonos can play them in 5.1? It turns its nose up at anything in 6 channels.

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

You’d have to rip to a supported format (below) and then feed it in through the HDMI port or pass-through your TV. The Music Library looks to be stereo only.

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/supported-home-theater-audio-formats

Not ripping but you might try playing them on your TV using a service that supports multichannel sound and local music. Maybe Amazon?

B

BritfolkgodAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

Not a happy ending to the story, Sonos support told me basically encoding from your own legally-purchased media to hear playback in Atmos or 5.1 is “not yet supported”. Which is doubly maddening since you know the functionality is there since streaming services like Apple Music will do it.

With all the money I’ve spent on surround media, not to mention the Sonos surround system itself (which I was told can play it) I’m not a very happy Sonos customer.

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