How to use 5.1 with Nintendo Switch

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I just got the Nintendo Switch today, but there's no optical out on the system. If I just use the optical out on my tv instead of through the system like I do for the xbone, will that output 5.1 surround sound? I know I had to change some settings around in the xbox to get surround sound working, I'm wondering if anyone knows the best way to accomplish this with the Nintendo Switch.

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Ryan SAnswer

Retired Sonos Staff

Hey boya056, the Nintendo Switch is only supporting the audio format linear PCM 5.1 channel via HDMI cable in TV mode. This is an uncompressed stream which the PLAYBAR only supports in stereo. That audio, when sent to your TV, is likely to get converted down to stereo as well before it gets outputted to the PLAYBAR.

To get surround off of the Nintendo Switch on Sonos, you'll need a device between the two that can convert the linear PCM 5.1 audio into Dolby Digital 5.1 and output it on the optical connection to your PLAYBAR. From what I've read, the Switch can't do this on its own.

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Bloomie

Lyricist I

I’m pretty disappointed as well. More with Sonos than Nintendo. It’s wrong of Nintendo not to include DD5.1 output but it’s a bigger disappointment that Sonos can’t handle anything more than DD. For its money it should have. It’s surreal that I have spent so much money on a good surround setup and have to settle with stereo from my switch, whereas with my cheap LG HTiB before I had full blown surround. t least I got to finish Zelda before “upgrading” to Sonos

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prj32

Contributor I

Another unhappy customer. The SONOS SoundBar should be able to decode if they want to be the audio hub in your HT, especially for customers that have invested in multiple speakers and sub for the full 5.1 experience. I have tried a HDMI audio extractor I had at home to fix a Sony Bravia/Plex to SONOS issue but didn’t work. SONOS any plans to fix?

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brewster1134

Lyricist I

i have this problem, and have had several other with Sonos. Not supporting DTS keeps me from watching other movies. If i could go back, i would have never bought my Sonos 5.1 surround setup. They have cost me a pretty penny, but have only very limited support. I cringe every time i have to enable my poor tv speakers just to enjoy something properly.

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Skywake

Lyricist III

i have this problem, and have had several other with Sonos. Not supporting DTS keeps me from watching other movies.

Not at all the issue here, this is entirely on Nintendo. The only devices I have that don't output/downsample to a 5.1 DD signal are my Wii U and Switch. I doubt there's a BluRay or DVD player on the market that lacks the ability to do this because as I understand it it part of the DVD/BluRay spec to have to do this. To my surprise my Chromecast supports this also. As I understand it the only reason why Nintendo doesn't do this is because they don't have to. It's not a DVD/BluRay player therefore they can avoid paying that licence.

This is the same story with the Beam (which I have) and the new Amp. So if anyone like me googles this same question and comes up with a solution using some converter? Please reply to this, I'm all ears.

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