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Shane_17
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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      Jack_11
      Lyricist II
      December 19, 2014
      Our stance on DTS support hasn’t changed. The PLAYBAR doesn’t support DTS and we have no plan to add it in the future. The main thread regarding DTS support is found here, which has our standing official response and some background information.

      If DTS is a requirement for you, there are some straightforward ways to get the audio playing on your system by transcoding DTS to Dolby Digital. Note that your TV must be capable of passing a Dolby Digital signal through its optical port.

      • Certain Blu-ray players are capable of converting DTS to Dolby Digital output during playback. Some players capable of this conversion are the Samsung BD-F6500, Samsung BD-F5900, and Samsung BD-F5700.
      • In addition, the Xbox One can transcode DTS to Dolby Digital 5.1. More information for setting up the Xbox One can be found here.
      If DTS is a must-have and you don’t want to use a workaround, the PLAYBAR may not be the right solution for you.

      We support discussion, and will leave these threads available for conversation and suggestions. However, we also want to be very clear that we have no plans at this time to implement DTS support for the PLAYBAR.

      At least tell us the reason why you won't support DTS. Is it hardware limitation? Home networking ompatibility issues? Conflict of company interest? Whatever politics it may be, at least just tell us. If you're part of some anti-DTS license group and want to be the big boy to stand up to DTS fees, that's fine, at least just let us know. We'll even support you. If your data shows most people buy Sonos to play music and only 0.1% would use DTS but DTS wants you to pay a license fee on all speakers sold, again, just tell us the honest truth. Hiding this just makes Sonos seem like another lowest common denominator product company.

      I know Sonos has made it clear they have no plans to implement DTS. I think it's also safe to say many of us won't be buying or recommendding another Sonos product until you can provide some honest truth to why DTS isn't supported because so far all comments by Sonos has just been BS.
      ONO
      Enthusiast I
      December 19, 2014
      It's amazing that I always considered sonos to be high end but since investing in a rather expensive system I have managed to put most of my friends off buying them. Once you explain the many limitations its a no brainier that they are just not worth the hassle and there are cheaper and better systems out there that are much more flexible. Now go out and spread the word and we'll see if they still act so dogmatic.
      tboheeren
      Trending Lyricist I
      December 19, 2014
      I was still hoping DTS support would come around some day but this seems pretty clear. They simply don't want to support a standard audio format. Sonos, don't advertise your products as a high end home cinema system because today you confirmed again that it is cleary not and will not be one in the future. 
      Simondp
      Enthusiast II
      December 19, 2014
      It's amazing that I always considered sonos to be high end but since investing in a rather expensive system I have managed to put most of my friends off buying them. Once you explain the many limitations its a no brainier that they are just not worth the hassle and there are cheaper and better systems out there that are much more flexible. Now go out and spread the word and we'll see if they still act so dogmatic.
      Same here. I'm committed to explaining the limitations to anyone considering Sonos. If they buy when forewarned that's fine, but all I've informed have gone elsewhere....
      Marc de Wit
      Lyricist II
      December 19, 2014
      It's amazing that I always considered sonos to be high end but since investing in a rather expensive system I have managed to put most of my friends off buying them. Once you explain the many limitations its a no brainier that they are just not worth the hassle and there are cheaper and better systems out there that are much more flexible. Now go out and spread the word and we'll see if they still act so dogmatic.
      This is the reason for me not to buy SONOS player. Have a lot of SONOS in the house for music etc but now with my 4k UHD TV I will NOT buy the playbar, subwoofer & satellite speakers for my 5.1 surround to go with the TV. Looking to buy e.g. Harman Kardon. 
      tboheeren
      Trending Lyricist I
      December 19, 2014
      It's amazing that I always considered sonos to be high end but since investing in a rather expensive system I have managed to put most of my friends off buying them. Once you explain the many limitations its a no brainier that they are just not worth the hassle and there are cheaper and better systems out there that are much more flexible. Now go out and spread the word and we'll see if they still act so dogmatic.
      Which Harman kardon are you looking at Marc?
      Marc de Wit
      Lyricist II
      December 19, 2014
      It's amazing that I always considered sonos to be high end but since investing in a rather expensive system I have managed to put most of my friends off buying them. Once you explain the many limitations its a no brainier that they are just not worth the hassle and there are cheaper and better systems out there that are much more flexible. Now go out and spread the word and we'll see if they still act so dogmatic.
      Looking at either the BDS 680 or 880. Alternatively the AVR 370 with JBL speakers (have that set up in my home cinema in my basement and very satisfied). 
      Fran Aquino
      Lyricist III
      December 19, 2014
      It's amazing that I always considered sonos to be high end but since investing in a rather expensive system I have managed to put most of my friends off buying them. Once you explain the many limitations its a no brainier that they are just not worth the hassle and there are cheaper and better systems out there that are much more flexible. Now go out and spread the word and we'll see if they still act so dogmatic.
      There's no home cinema capable wireless multiroom solution from Harman. Their Omni series delivers wireless multiroom HD audio but it's not meant for home cinema setups.
      tboheeren
      Trending Lyricist I
      December 19, 2014
      I think he was being sarcastic about the last statement. DTS is going to be a massive issue very soon, as all Bluray movies will be encoded in DTS. As I stated about though the issue isn't the Playbar, it's your TV not supporting Pass-Through. The optical output on most TVs is Dolby 2.0 and the Playbar decodes it from there
      The problem IS the playbar if sonos recommends to use a HDMI switch. I got one and it works perfectly. Every signal is passed to the playbar. If you use Netflix app or Plex app on a smart tv, it is considered OTA and then your optical out port on the tv even passes all signals. In latter case you don't need a switch and the playbar is the issue.
      Fran Aquino
      Lyricist III
      December 19, 2014
      It's amazing that I always considered sonos to be high end but since investing in a rather expensive system I have managed to put most of my friends off buying them. Once you explain the many limitations its a no brainier that they are just not worth the hassle and there are cheaper and better systems out there that are much more flexible. Now go out and spread the word and we'll see if they still act so dogmatic.
      But those HK BDS are just home theater in a box solutions. Wired speakers and no multiroom. The Blu-ray disc is integrated into the receiver and features a rear fan. I would at least take a look at LG's Music Flow system or Bose Lifestyle first.
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