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Contributor I
Feb 11, 2023 8:05 PM UTC
Answered

Sonos, Apple TV, ARC & Dolby

Hi,

 

Is there a way to setup the sound bar with Apple TV without losing Dolby?

 

Currently I have the Apple TV connected to tv through hdmi ARC then I have the Sonos going to the optical port tv. Everything seems to work but I hate to miss out on so much function by not having the Sonos sound bar go to the arc port.

 

The Apple TV plays the video and then the sound goes to the bar through the optical port.

 

Also, can I add more than 2 surround speakers? I want to have 4. I bought them but seems like they can’t be used or added.

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106rallye
106rallyeAnswer
Feb 12, 2023 10:16 AM UTC

ARC means Audio Return Channel. Where normal HDMI is designed to bring sound and images to your TV, ARC takes it from your TV to your soundbar.

Your solution will mean the “grouped” room will lag a bit behind on TV-sounds.

8 replies

Lead Maestro
Feb 11, 2023 9:18 PM UTC

Which specific Sonos sound bar do you have?

You can only connect two surround speakers to a Sonos home theater setup.

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"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
RubenryapAuthor
Contributor I
Feb 11, 2023 11:00 PM UTC

I have the arc

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Lead Maestro
Feb 11, 2023 11:09 PM UTC

I have the arc

The Arc needs to be connected to the TV’s HDMI ARC port. The Apple TV connects to any of the TV’s other HDMI ports.

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"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
106rallye
Feb 11, 2023 11:25 PM UTC

Why did you connect the Arc this way?

The Arc needs to be connected to the HDMI-ARC port on the TV. The Apple TV does not need HDMI-ARC and so can be connected to another HDMI port. 

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RubenryapAuthor
Contributor I
Feb 12, 2023 12:00 AM UTC

Okay, I see what you’re saying. So how does the Apple TV then connect to sound bar?

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buzz
Grand Maestro
Feb 12, 2023 12:08 AM UTC

The TV will rout all audio to the SONOS ARC over the HDMI-ARC connection.

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RubenryapAuthor
Contributor I
Feb 12, 2023 1:01 AM UTC

Well, it does work!

I guess what was confusing me was that if Apple TV is on hdmi regular input 2 and Sonos is on hdmi input 3 Arc, I assumed I’d have to be on hdmi 3 for the Sonos to work. It’s smarter than I thought.

 

I figured out a workaround in order to add more speakers, it’s not true surround sound, but I just create a second location and play to both locations.

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106rallye
106rallyeAnswer
Feb 12, 2023 10:16 AM UTC

ARC means Audio Return Channel. Where normal HDMI is designed to bring sound and images to your TV, ARC takes it from your TV to your soundbar.

Your solution will mean the “grouped” room will lag a bit behind on TV-sounds.

Translate