Why Can't I listen to my music through my Computer?

Well i can say i got this working by the following setuo,

Single ZP120 in back bedroom connected to an amp with speakers into the backbedroom and bathroom.

the line out was then run in to the bedroom pc 10 meter length this will then play though the computer speakers.

so essentaill each can be tuned off by switching the amp or speakers off

one thing to note is when i first set this up the audio on the pc was having a slight delay after a bit of searching it turned out that the built in drivers for the soundcard on the pc were being used, and processed by windows, to get past this just install the native drivers for the sound card , and change setting in the control panel for line in and all should work without problems.

This is interesting, but I'm confused about a few things...

A ZP120 is an amp isn't it? And mine don't have line out on them. I don't know if this was a feature on previous models. I suspect you are talking about a ZP 90 or what is now called a Connect.

But again I'm not sure what you mean, are you taking digital out to one and analog out to another?

The info about the drivers is very good.

Mike

If you want to listen to Sonos through your high quality computer speakers, purchase a Sonos Connect and connect it to the line-in on your soundcard. Voila! Your computer speakers are now a Sonos zone. No need for a "fourth set of speakers."

Now I know what follows: B-b-b-ut why should I have to buy a Connect? So in reality, you do not want a way to listen to Sonos through your computer speakers, you want an inexpensive or free way to listen to Sonos through your computer speakers. Right? In the four years I have personally been reading this forum, I've never seen a request for a PC based Zone that does not boil down to "I want a cheap zone."

Here's the deal: I paid for the computer, I paid for the very expensive sound system that's hooked up to it (home cinema), I paid for a Sonos system, and I paid for all the music that the Sonos system plays throughout the house. It doesn't seem out of line for me to want to leverage all of this investment so that THE COMPUTER THAT IS RUNNING THE SONOS SOFTWARE can also play, in that room, music it is pumping to elsewhere in the house. That's not a "cheap zone," is an "already paid for through the nose zone."

Maybe a sticky is deserved for a list of big ticket items that Sonos doesn't currently do, for the benefit of new buyers?

Candidates:
1. More than 65k tracks
2. Hi res music files
3. The subject of this thread

And whatever else of a similar nature. Caveat Emptor always prevails of course, but there would be no harm in something like this on a manufacturer supported forum as enlightened as this one?

PS: And manage the thread such that it remains a concise list and doesn't grow into a 50 page thread that no one in his right mind would ever wade through:-). Any grief about anything on the list can be aired elsewhere. Additions and deletions from the list, with a brief explanation for each should be all it contains.

Here's the deal: I paid for the computer, I paid for the very expensive sound system that's hooked up to it (home cinema), I paid for a Sonos system, and I paid for all the music that the Sonos system plays throughout the house. It doesn't seem out of line for me to want to leverage all of this investment so that THE COMPUTER THAT IS RUNNING THE SONOS SOFTWARE can also play, in that room, music it is pumping to elsewhere in the house. That's not a "cheap zone," is an "already paid for through the nose zone."

Regardless, it is impossible to do. So it really doesn't matter how much you paid for your computer, it isn't going to be a zone. Maybe you can sell it since it seems to have no other use besides being an "already paid for through the nose zone." 😉

It doesn't seem out of line for me to want to leverage all of this investment so that THE COMPUTER THAT IS RUNNING THE SONOS SOFTWARE can also play, in that room, music it is pumping to elsewhere in the house.

This is a conceptual and factual error that goes some way to explaining your frustration with not being able to use your PC as a zone.

Your computer is not "pumping [music] to elsewhere in the house". It's not generating the music data stream at all. Your Sonos players (Connect:x, Play:x) are pulling the music files/streams from whatever source(s) you have chosen.

Yes, your PC is running Sonos software, but it's only a remote control interface, telling your Sonos zones what actions to take and displaying the results. Just the same as the iOS/Android/CR200 controllers.

So as far as your Sonos system is concerned, your PC is doing nothing special or clever at all. It's just a very big and expensive remote control. Which is why many or perhaps most of us never use a PC with our Sonos set-ups at all. And why your indignation that you can't use your PC as a zone is misplaced.

Agree with withanee67.
Sonos do not claim anywhere that you need a computer to use their system.
Maybe they should advertised more on the fact that you actually DON'T need a computer (in opposition to their competitors - which is probably the main reason for this kind of misunderstanding).

Agree with withanee67.
Sonos do not claim anywhere that you need a computer to use their system.
Maybe they should advertised more on the fact that you actually DON'T need a computer (in opposition to their competitors - which is probably the main reason for this kind of misunderstanding).

Strongly Seconded

If I want to listen to Sonos through my PC, I'll connect a Connect, or most any other ZonePlayer with the Audio-In port of my PC.

However, I have absolutely no need to do this as our home is covered throughout with Zones. Our PCs are off more times than on when we are using Sonos.

Best of Luck

Here's the deal: I paid for the computer, I paid for the very expensive sound system that's hooked up to it (home cinema), I paid for a Sonos system, and I paid for all the music that the Sonos system plays throughout the house. It doesn't seem out of line for me to want to leverage all of this investment so that THE COMPUTER THAT IS RUNNING THE SONOS SOFTWARE can also play, in that room, music it is pumping to elsewhere in the house. That's not a "cheap zone," is an "already paid for through the nose zone."

If your computer is linked up to an expensive home theatre setup then presumaby it can play any of the music on your network or from the internet music services you use by using any media player you choose to have installed? It does not need any Sonos components to achieve this, and opens up access to music that Sonos cannot play (hi-res or DRM-protected music for example).

However if you want to have that same amplifier and speakers (that currently utilise your PC as an audio source) operate as part of a wider Sonos system (for synchronised linked zones, unified control of all Sonos zones etc) then you need your home theatre to utilise a Sonos device as a source too, so add a Sonos connect. Whether you choose to use your PC as a controller for this setup or any of the other Sonos controller options is then up to you.

As others have pointed out, Sonos promote the PC software as a Desktop Controller, not a Media Player. If you thought otherwise or were advised differently then you have made a mistaken assumption or been given incorrect information.

In the scheme of expensive home theatre installations the cost of the additional Sonos Connect is relatively small, and if you don't want to pay the "new" price then look out for a used ZP80 or ZP90 in classified ads or the online auction sites.

With all that said, you do need to also check that your home theatre processor/amplifier does not add its own processing delays to the source inputs as this can lead to synchronisation problems in party mode - if you search you'll find threads about this issue including which manufacturers seem better than others at avoiding this problem.

Ok Have just installed Windows 8 and trying to get my setup from windows 7 in which the line out from a ZP100 will play through the audio device.

this can be achieve by using the windows mixer and selecting the line in properties to Listen, this is ok except there is an audio delay.

if you install the audio driver in my case Realtek ALC888 HD from my dell vostro 410 , realtek.com.tw

install the drivers and go to control panel
select the HD Audio Manager and Line IN
mute the volume on the Recording Slider
and move the playback slider volume to about 70 found this the best with no distortion.

now you have audio through pc speakers with no audio delay.

Hope this help you all

the number 1 reason for requesting a PC based Zone is people want a cheap way of subverting the need to buy Sonos hardware.

Pretty useless comment. After the VERY SIGNIFICANT amount of money that I have invested in Sonos hardware, I don't feel shy about saying that the computer that (a) stores the music library and (b) controls the Sonos system should also (c) be able to play the music that I'm hearing elsewhere in the house.

Just saying. Why would wanting to avoid an additional significant outlay be something deserving of disdain?