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help with dolby digital

  • January 1, 2026
  • 4 replies
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I

Hi all, wondering if anybody could help me I have just purchased a Sonos arc, my tv only has an arc port and not an earc port. My tv model is a Sony KD 55x8509c,

it is also running thru sky stream and I have set the audio out to pass through and also tried Dolby digital plus.

the problem I’m having is I can’t seem to get Dolby digital plus to come through, should it say Dolby digital plus when playing on the Sonos app? As mine just says Dolby digital 5.1 so not sure if am getting the full experience.

Best answer by Sotiris C.

Hello ​@Ian2025, welcome to the Sonos Community!

The Sonos Arc simply produce the quality audio it receives from the TV and it depends on each content and service is currently playing.

What a e-ARC connection enables is bigger bandwidth for better, “heavier” audio formats such as DD+ or Dolby Atmos.

There is a version for a HDMI ARC connection (v2.01 and above) which could support Dolby Digital Plus, but I had a look at your TV model and it seems that it’s HDMI ARC v2.0.

Not having that, the audio format is limited to, at best, Dolby Digital 5.1 (when available).

You can find more information in our Support Article Listen to Dolby Atmos audio from your TV on Sonos.

I hope this helps.

4 replies

Sotiris C.
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  • Sotiris C.
  • Sonos Staff
  • Answer
  • January 5, 2026

Hello ​@Ian2025, welcome to the Sonos Community!

The Sonos Arc simply produce the quality audio it receives from the TV and it depends on each content and service is currently playing.

What a e-ARC connection enables is bigger bandwidth for better, “heavier” audio formats such as DD+ or Dolby Atmos.

There is a version for a HDMI ARC connection (v2.01 and above) which could support Dolby Digital Plus, but I had a look at your TV model and it seems that it’s HDMI ARC v2.0.

Not having that, the audio format is limited to, at best, Dolby Digital 5.1 (when available).

You can find more information in our Support Article Listen to Dolby Atmos audio from your TV on Sonos.

I hope this helps.

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    106rallye
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    • 106rallye
    • January 5, 2026

    I’ve always understood DD+ can be sent over ARC, no eARC needed. This isn’t true?

    The Sony TV is from 2015 though, so I would question if it is Atmos or even DD+  capable - if it isn’t it wil also not pass through these formats.

    Airgetlam
    • Airgetlam
    • January 5, 2026

    Yes, DD+ can be sent over ARC…but you’re also correct that not all TVs can do it. 

    Bruce
    Airgetlam
    • Airgetlam
    • January 5, 2026

    According to this page, it handles DD+.

    I’ve had older TVs (a Vizio) that only handled Dolby Digital from onboard apps, but was unable to receive them via HDMI and pass them through. When the TV was designed, it was a ‘new’ thing, but in order to get the ‘pass through’ feature, I had to replace the TV.

    Makes me wonder, giving the age of this TV. I’d certainly be tempted to call Sony, and try an external device to pull the sound off the HDMI stream, but those are expensive for ARC/eARC devices.

    Bruce
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