Sonos playbar with HDMI eARC

If your video source is external (eg Apple TV) then many HDMI switches have optical outputs, put one between the ATV and the HDMI input on the TV.

If your video source is internal (ie apps on the TV itself) then I am not sure of a solution.

@CMDKCF

There are many hdmi audio extractor devices with optical output on the market. You will need one that supports a hdmi OUTPUT with ARC functionality. That output has to be connected with tvs hdmi (e)ARC INPUT. Make sure to turn of atmos and eARC support in tv settings to get a ARC to ARC connection without the „e“. That would also work but you could run into issues (no sound), if tv sends signal via eARC that isn’t supported by the audioextractor and optical connection (like it’s the case with atmos). 

No help to you, but I am suprised that Samsung not only lost the optical connection on this TV, but also limited the HDMI connections to 3, instead of the usual four. I could use more than four HDMI connections, certainly not less.

This worked brilliantly for years with my Playbar and Samsung TV. Optical from Playbar to the extractor, then HDMI cable from the extractor to the HDMI-eARC port. TV audio output as Receiver. Simple as that.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07CWMRG2C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I’m so glad I came across your post. We are in the same boat and have been struggling for the past week. We purchased the HDMI earc and the audio extractor and have connected them all but the playbar still isn’t connecting to the Samsung TV/ apps but for some strange reason it is connecting to our Ziggo streaming devise (similar to a SKY or Virgin). 

does anyone have any advice? 

Which ‘HDMI earc and the audio extractor’ did you purchase and install? Where is it connected? Have you locked down the output of the TV to Dolby Digital only, which can be carried across the optical beam to the PLAYBAR, and not allow it to try to send an Atmos signal?

@Bakker54 

As @Airgetlam asked before… „what“ model of audioextractor do you use? Is there no TV sound at all (including the buld in tv tuner) or just no sound from tv apps?

If there’s no sound from tv at all, I suppose you use an audioextractor missing hdmi arc capability on hdmi out port. 

HDMI ARC Audio Extractor 4K - Audio Converter - HDMI In naar HDMI Out + Optisch (SPDIF) - 5.1CH - TV, Laptop, PC
 

and 

HDMI 2.1 Ultra HD EARC cable 

The HDMI for the tv screen is on out side of the audio extractor and optical cable is obviously plugged into its port.

I haven’t locked the output on the TV- how is this done? 

Hi Ralf, 

There is sound but it comes through the TV and not the sound bar. 
 

however, when we watch our Ziggo TV (cable tv) the sound bar works?!

Is that „Ziggo“ a separate device and connected via hdmi to audioextractors hdmi in port? Or is it connected to the tv or even build in on the tv?

There are so many extractor devices on the market. A link to your specific device or photos showing its connectors would be helpful. 
As said… it’s important to check if ARC is supported for extraxtors hdmi out. If so the port should be labeled so. 

@Bakker54 

…sorry, I forgot about your question. I think what Bruce meant is to take a look at tvs audio settings. Depending on manufacturer and model you have to check first if audio output is set to external audio system via HDMI eARC. Second is to set the correct audio format for output… there should be an option to change the format. Mostly you can switch between pcm stereo and multichannel (sometimes also called bitstream or dolby digital)

And, if your tv supports Atmos audio, make sure to disable that, because the optical connection from audioextractor to Sonos can’t handle that. 

First answer, the ziggo is connected to the audio extractor via hdmi cable 

sure I’ll send the link, it will be in Dutch though…

https://www.bol.com/nl/p/hdmi-arc-audio-extractor-4k-60hz-audio-converter-hdmi-in-naar-hdmi-out-optisch-5-1ch-tv-laptop-pc-gameconsoles-met-voedingsadapter/9300000190018236?referrer=socialshare_pdp_iphoneapp

https://www.bol.com/nl/p/sbvr-hdmi-kabel-2-1-8k-ultra-hd-4k-120-hz-earc-nylon-hdmi-kabel-hdr-1-2-meter/9300000009344606?referrer=socialshare_pdp_iphoneapp

Hey @Bakker54 

Schöne Grüße aus Duitsland! 😉😎

I really think the product headline of your device is missleading as nowhere else ARC support is mentioned. I recommend to return the device and buy another one that definitely supports hdmi ARC. 
There should be an explizite label on the hdmi out as for example you can see in the following screenshot. 
 

@Bakker54 

ps: …this one should work and comes from bol.com.

https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/hdmi-audio-extractor-4k-120hz-hdmi-2-0b-naar-hdmi2-0b-l-r-arc-tv-2-0-5-1ch-tv-laptop-pc-gameconsoles/9300000187922273/?bltgh=kyU3Hl6bNy1lHC98oBlNFw.2_49.50.ProductImage

You have to toggle the arc switch depending on the audio source you like to use. 
For tv as source toggle the switch on. For hdmi in as source toggle it off. 

Note, however, that the Sonos PLAYBAR does not have the capability to interpret anything beyond Dolby Digital. So eARC connection, and Atmos via Dolby Digital Plus from the TV will not be interpreted by your older Sonos device. 

Connecting to eARC worked fine with the extractor I linked to, when I had a Playbar with my Samsung TV - it’s just setting the TV (and by input devices) to Atmos that won’t be recognised.