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Can’t get 5.1 to work on PC (Beam & Ones)

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Hello,

I’m having some issues with my audio setup and am wondering if anybody’s able to support me. I’m not an expert but will explain the setup along with the issues I’m experiencing. Please let me know if more information is needed and I’ll answer.

I use a Sonos 5.1 surround sound system (Beam gen 2 soundbar.

My TV only has 1 HMRC ARC port. The Beam is connected to this.
A non-ARC HDMI port on my TV is then connected to this splitter as the input.

The below devices are connected to it as outputs. I can see what type of audio is being received and played on my system via the Sonos app:

Apple TV (Dolby Digital 5.1)
PS5 (Dolby Digital 5.1 )
Nintendo Switch (Stereo PCM)
Windows 11 PC (Stereo PCM)

My main priority is fixing the Windows PC to output 5.1. But it would also be nice to fix this for the Nintendo Switch.

I’ve installed the Dolby Access app for Windows and it said Configuration Failed. Under this it says I can go to Windows’ settings > Sound > Audio Output and change the Spatial Sound of my audio output to Dolby Atmos for Home Theater and close settings. However, there are no options under Spatial Audio other than Windows Sonic for Headphones. This is the same when I use the DTS app.

I’ve been troubleshooting this for a few hours now and haven’t been able to figure out why with my limited understanding. I’ve seen that my PC may not be able to see my audio system properly, but am confused why this is the case when my PS5 and Apple TV play 5.1 correctly. I’d really appreciate any help, thank you so much for reading…

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Ken_GriffithsAnswer

I did find this on YouTube, but it’s not something I’ve tried, personally speaking… posted for info only:

106rallye

Just for clarification purposes. The Apple TV etc. are outputting to the input on the switch which is connected to an input on your TV? The Beam is connected to the HDMI-ARC connection on the TV that works as an output for sound.

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AmzypopAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

Hi, sorry, yes, you’re right.

I’ve accidentally marked this thread as answered. Can this be undone?

A

AmzypopAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

Can a mod unmark this topic as answered?

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AmzypopAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

Is this something that Sonos support could help with?

Airgetlam

It might be. Have you called them?

Bruce

sigh

Prodigy II

As a starting point for trouble-shooting, I’d bypass the hdmi switch and connect the PC directly to the tv, then run the Dolby Access configuration again. If the Dolby Access application successfully configures then you should be able to select Dolby Atmos for Home Theatre as a sound output as well as the Windows native ones.

Windows only has native support for uncompressed PCM so

If your TV has eArc then you should be able to select Stereo, 5.1 (Not sure if the beam accepts a 7.1 input and downmixes)

If your TV only has Arc, then you will only have Stereo.

Within Windows your display device (TV) properties should show a list of supported audio formats. This is where you would see a list of things like Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus. Playing back supported formats is down to the software you use to play media with.

The Apple TV/PS 5 playing multi-channel would suggest the TV settings are correct. Plugging the PC directly into the TV removes the hdmi switch as a potential cause and help narrow down if you are facing a PC configuration issue or the switch is interfering.

My PC occasionally loses its speaker setup and won’t let me select 7.1 if my TV is slow switching its inputs if I let it auto switch, suggesting the HDMI handshake/feature support query doesn’t work quite right. A reboot of the pC or making sure the right TV input and audio output is selected first before starting the PC never has an issue.

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AmzypopAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

Thank you so much for the replies.

So I only have a HDMI ARC port. Does this mean I have no chance at 5.1 with my PC? Or is there some kind of converter I can use to force eARC from my ARC port?

I’ve connected my PC directly into a HDMI slot and this didn’t change anything.

Also used an older version of Dolby Access (3.14) which didn’t change anything.

When checking my TV’s device properties in windows it shows me these supported formats:

- DTS Audio
- Dolby Digital Plus
- Dolby Digital

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

I think there is a using Sonos with your computer topic around here somewhere

sigh

Prodigy II

I think there is a using Sonos with your computer topic around here somewhere

If you mean this one

it basically ignores PCs connected to TVs using hdmi, Dolby Atmos, lossless multi-channel pcm and assumes PCs need to use analogue or optical cables. The world has moved on since it was written 3 years ago.

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AmzypopAuthor

Trending Lyricist I

Thanks again for the replies guys.

I’m finding it ridiculous that all audio plays as Stereo PCM despite telling Windows I have a 5.1 system. It knows exactly what kind of channels I use and where they’re placed. I don’t even care about Dolby Atmos - I just want some form of surround sound!

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