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Contributor I
April 13, 2014
Question

playbar and comittment for DTS playback firmware upgrade

I have just added the Sonos Playbar to my samsung smart TV and have discovered the lack of DTS functionality through reading this forum. I find it disappointing that the best we can get is a stereo effect through the playbar?  My originial search was based on identifying a way of using my existing Onkyo nr509 AV Amp with the playbar however that appears to be a no go option as well. The concept of buying and adding the playbar as a step change to the surround sound system I had has left me feeling I have done the wrong thing?  Slightly cheated in a sense too, I hear what Sonos are saying that the majority of content is streamed and agree we use netflix however I also enjoy having a collection of Bluray discs and feel Sonos should fulfil both requirements.  If anyone can give us an  idea as to when this may be re-considered as it looks like Sonos have closed the subject down from reading through the forums.  Do I revert to my old system and return the Playbar to John Lewis could buy a couple Play3's instead?  
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    214 replies

    Lyricist II
    February 1, 2017
    To SONOS marketing team:
    Guys, as a marketing professional, I am very surprised by this product marketing problem of yours!
    As far as I understand, the problem comes from the fact that the DTS license is expensive and SONOS does not (yet) want to invest in this - as perhaps they see this feature as not essential, more on the marketing side of the product.
    However, as there is a pool of customers or potential customers who would PAY for this extra feature, SONOS could take advantage and transform this problem into an OPPORTUNITY! It is very simple: just add this OPTION to the Playbar (or Connect) for an extra fee! It could be very easy added with a software upgrade, perhaps in the app. If you don't believe people are willing to pay for this feature, just take a look in this forum at what solutions and workarounds people found (some of them very expensive) to add this DTS feature to their system.
    This could easily be a secondary source of revenue for SONOS, from the same line of products.

    And yes, you can thank me by offering this license to me for free... 🆒 🙂
    Collaborator II
    February 1, 2017
    It could be very easy added with a software upgrade, perhaps in the app.

    I wish it was that simple. The PLAYBAR would require hardware changes too as optical can't handle DTS.
    Lyricist II
    February 1, 2017

    I wish it was that simple. The PLAYBAR would require hardware changes too as optical can't handle DTS.

    Except that for the simple DTS (not DTS-HD), it would not! The optical output is more than capable of handling the simple DTS 5.1, as it is capable of handling Dolby Digital 5.1.
    Of course, for DTS-HD, TrueHD, etc (all HD formats), there's another story and in those features would indeed require hardware changes (probably adding a extra HDMI output).
    Chris
    Lead Maestro
    February 1, 2017
    Fact is theynconfirmed long ago it can't be updated to add dts. I would assume there is some 7.1 or so solution coming down the pike as playbar is long in the tooth for today's home theater.
    Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)