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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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      jnosteo
      Lyricist III
      December 19, 2014
      Yes but you do realise that most people who are buying sonos products are also buying a new to and most if not all NEW TVS are able to pass dts signals. So really it's seems a bit of a cop out as to everyone it looks like you can't be bothered to pay for the licensing. In reality it would probably cost each sonos owner about 10p if you passed the cost onto us. No one from sonos has given us a reason other than most OLDER TVS won't pass dts. If the majority of your customers would appreciate dts then would it not be a good idea to listen to us???
      Lovrencan
      Lyricist II
      December 19, 2014
      Dear Ryan, your evaluation was taken nearly year ago. Don't you think that is time to re-evaluate it?
      As many other I can't recommend sonos to my friends as it has such an issue with nowadays sound standards.
      I like sonos (after all I spent £1.5k) and have made myself a workaround to decode DTS to DD, but on the other hand it is a shame that such an expensive products have such limited functionality.
      I still believe that DTS will be available with next firmware upgrade.
      David Fletcher
      Contributor I
      December 19, 2014
      You are correct most TVs do not pass through DTS however almost all blu-ray movies only output DTS if the playbar could decode DTS you could use like me an optical splitter to switch between Sky ,TV and Blu-ray I have the top Panasonic model player cost me £500 but it cant convert DTS. I also have a massive Blu-ray collection that I cant get 5.1 surround sound from. Sonus is a very good product but when an alternative arrives and it will, you will loose a lot of valuable customers.
      ijhammo
      Trending Lyricist I
      December 19, 2014
      Lover can - I like your optimism, but seriously - don't hold your breath..... Sonos have shown such a level of contempt for their customers it's amazing. David - it's already starting to happen. I just bought my first alternative device to Sonos and will be testing it out over Christmas. I expect a complete replacement of all my sonos' in the new year.
      Simondp
      Enthusiast II
      December 19, 2014
      Ryan, tell your marketing people to have the guts to be honest in their advertising. You clearly can't play all the music on earth. Clearly not simple to set up (you need an optical and/or hdmi switch). You don't provide full-theatre hifi sound. You don't give us the power to play anything and make it sound amazing. It doesn't easily connect to your tv to play everything. Your web pages should have asterisks and small text at the bottom of each page. Sonos is deceitful. I dare you to put your comment on your website and a warning that if you wish to use Bluray then "this may not be the product for your needs". I dare you.
      Ryan S
      Ryan S
      Retired Sonos Staff
      December 19, 2014
      @Ian Hammond

      I’m sorry if this comes across as contempt, that’s not what was intended. We want to be clear and upfront that DTS support is not planned so that everyone can make their own decision about whether or not PLAYBAR is the right product for them. There are workarounds available, but they may not be right for everyone either.

      @User740479

      I think we’ll have to agree to disagree here. There are many people who do enjoy the surround sound PLAYBAR produces from Blu-rays even without using a transcoding or switching workaround, but we recognize that this isn’t right for everyone.  
      Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.
      Rich Morris
      Enthusiast I
      December 19, 2014
      My tv does pass through both DD and DTS ... I still believe in sonos that's why I invested in two play 1 this Monday gone and it sounds very good through the Xbox one, but it would've nice to have DTS just to future proof my new system, don't know if 4K Blu-Ray which will be realised next year will have this work around.
      Jack_11
      Lyricist II
      December 19, 2014
      Ryan,

      That is like saying, there are many people who enjoy 128kbps sound so there was no point in putting in higher fidelity speakers. Or many audio tracks don't use stereo's full potential so we'll just be playing in mono.

      There might not be many who will use DTS, but there is clearly a need for it. Same way not everybody will appreciate the Sonos design or experience but that hasn't stopped you in the past from producing a high quality product. There is just a bit of inconsistency to why DTS isn't supported.
      Chris Chan
      Lyricist III
      December 19, 2014
      You just can't compare Sonos to wired systems. They are the most innovative wireless multi room system out there. They have issues that we can see but do they know something we don't.? Is there a new format that will replace DTS? Is it just a licensing fee issue? I don't know. What I do know is I will never have a wired home theater again. Keep us posted Sonos. You do have loyal customers that love the product.
      Joe, you said "You just can't compare Sonos to wired systems. They are the most innovative wireless multi room system out there. " Whilst you can't compare to wire systems, you can compare Sonos with the following Multi-Room systems: - LG Music Flow - http://www.lg.com/uk/smart-hi-fi-systems - Samsung - http://www.samsung.com/au/consumer/tv-audio-video/multiroom/ - Panasonic "All" - http://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-entertainment/wireless-speaker-systems.html I have looked at the LG Music Flow and it seems to be the more complete system and the sound is pretty good. I am trying to understand its DTS support and how it works as a 5.1 system. So if anyone has one, I would like to know any feedback.
      Joe Stump
      Trending Lyricist I
      December 19, 2014
      You just can't compare Sonos to wired systems. They are the most innovative wireless multi room system out there. They have issues that we can see but do they know something we don't.? Is there a new format that will replace DTS? Is it just a licensing fee issue? I don't know. What I do know is I will never have a wired home theater again. Keep us posted Sonos. You do have loyal customers that love the product.
      Chris, Are you from the UK? I have heard the LG system mentioned a couple times but can't find it in the US. I'm not a big fan of the Samgung.
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