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JoshuaC
Contributor I
June 23, 2023

Multichannel PCM 5.1 Drop-Outs w/ Beam (Gen 2) and LG G3 TV

  • June 23, 2023
  • 14 replies
  • 1687 views

Hi, Everybody.

 

I’ve been driving myself crazy trying to troubleshoot an issue with a Beam (Gen2) -based home theater set up (Beam Gen 2, Sub (Gen3), and two Era 100s). The issue happens whenever the source device, in this case both a latest-gen Apple TV and a Nintendo Switch, outputs audio in MultiChannel PCM 5.1. The audio drops out for about two seconds EXACTLY every one minute. Audio output in other formats, including Dolby ATMOS, plays back perfectly. My television is a new LG G3. All devices are on the latest available firmware/software updates as of today (23 June, 2023).

 

After spending weeks trying every possible solution (HDMI cable replacements, network configurations, wired/unwired setups, different TV and device settings, etc), I had a call with SONOS Tier 2 support today where I was told very confidently that this is a known-issue with the LG TV firmware and that I should contact LG directly. I asked if SONOS was in contact with LG at all to attempt to remedy this issue on behalf of their mutual customers and was flat out told, “No.” (!!!!). I’ll try to follow-up with LG, but this has all the makings of a finger pointing exercise. 

 

I also have an Arc and Era 300 - based home theater setup in another room in addition to multiple Era 100s so, all told, I have thousands of dollars invested in SONOS devices. I find their response to this issue pretty disappointing and frustrating.

 

I am open to any suggestions from the community and just thought I would share that this is apparently a known issue right now and that Sonos does not have a solution.

 

My latest diagnostic submission number is: 514414504

 

Thanks!

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    JoshuaCAuthor
    Contributor I
    June 25, 2023

    As a side-note, I also have a SONOS Arc in my home and tried using it in this setup in place of the Beam 2 with no other changes and had no problems. 

     

    As a follow-up to my original post… After reading the linked forum topic above top-to-bottom, I purchased the discussed uni-directional optical HDMI cable (link to the one I used below) and set it up with the “source” end connected to my TV’s eARC HDMI port (2) and the “display” end connected the the Beam 2.

     

    This appears to have completely solved the issue. No drop-outs. So, for now, thanks to a lot of work by the people on that thread, I’m finally okay. 

     

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KZP65G7?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

      AjTrek1
      AjTrek1
      June 25, 2023

      @JoshuaC

      Glad you were able to resolve your issue. However, I believe your research legitimizes the comments by me and @Airgetlam…not to stop at Sonos and say it’s a “Sonos issue”.  Look elsewhere as well. 

      One of the main problems (tongue in-cheek) with Sonos speakers is that they are so versatile in their deployment with other 3rd party products. Consequently, when an outside-the-box connection is attempted and doesn’t work…Sonos gets the blame. To be fair Sonos has issues otherwise updates would not be sent.

      However, when dealing with software/firmware development and deployment…bugs are bound to crop-up. Thankfully, Sonos corrects issues/bugs directly related to its products on a timely basis. 

      That’s all I have for this thread. Enjoy your Sonos!! 🙂

      Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
        Dwarrelpoot
        Trending Lyricist I
        June 25, 2023

        As a side-note, I also have a SONOS Arc in my home and tried using it in this setup in place of the Beam 2 with no other changes and had no problems. 

         

        As a follow-up to my original post… After reading the linked forum topic above top-to-bottom, I purchased the discussed uni-directional optical HDMI cable (link to the one I used below) and set it up with the “source” end connected to my TV’s eARC HDMI port (2) and the “display” end connected the the Beam 2.

         

        This appears to have completely solved the issue. No drop-outs. So, for now, thanks to a lot of work by the people on that thread, I’m finally okay. 

         

        https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KZP65G7?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

         

        I'm reading this as I'm contemplating the Arc with a sub mini, and this would just safe me a good deal of money. Like 1400 euros for the entire set instead of 1600 with the arc. As you have both; is the Arc worth the 200 more if I use the sub-mini or is the sub gen 3 a mandatory purchase?

        I'll be sure to buy an optical HDMI cable as well. What does this kind of cable do that might fix the issue? All I can find is that the Sonos wouldn't be able to communicate with the TV anymore, but the TV can send signals to the Sonos.
        Would the length of the cable matter as well?

        Fendera
        Fendera
        Lyricist III
        January 1, 2024

        I had the same issue with my Beam Gen 2 and LG C1. I tried every solution including a fiber 2.1 HDMI cable. That fixed the audio cut out but introduced a screen black out for a couple of seconds every 10 minutes or so. 

         

        I ended up returning the Beam Gen 2 and bought a Sonos Arc. No cut outs anymore with the Arc. 

         

        Sonos is blaming LG, but why is the Arc immune to this issue and the Beam Gen 2 not? Hard to believe that the problem is on LG alone. 

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