Contributor II

Answered

How to use 5.1 with Nintendo Switch

14 replies
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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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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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B

booya056Author

Contributor II

To get surround off of the Nintendo Switch on Sonos, you'll need a device between the two that can convert the PCM 5.1 audio into Dolby Digital 5.1 and output it on the optical connection to your PLAYBAR.

Thanks for the response Ryan. What kind of device is that called and is there one you'd recommend?

Ryan S

Retired Sonos Staff

There isn't one in particular I'd recommend, but you're looking for an HDMI switch or an HDMI extractor. Those are usually the names it'll go by.

I took a look and can't find a TV out there which will convert PCM 5.1 into Dolby Digital 5.1 for optical output.

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MikeV

I don't really think any hardware device will convert PCM 5.1 to DD 5.1... at least nothing that I've seen will do it. Usually the conversion is done in the opposite direction (DD 5.1 to PCM 5.1). An HDMI switch or extractor won't convert the audio format... just take the audio that is part of the HDMI signal and split it to an optical connection.

The S in IOT stands for Security.

K

Kryptyx

Lyricist I

I don't really think any hardware device will convert PCM 5.1 to DD 5.1... at least nothing that I've seen will do it. Usually the conversion is done in the opposite direction (DD 5.1 to PCM 5.1). An HDMI switch or extractor won't convert the audio format... just take the audio that is part of the HDMI signal and split it to an optical connection.

Pretty much this. I bought an hdmi switch/extractor but it did not do what I needed. As Mike said, it just replicated the PCM 5.1 through the optical, it did not convert it to DD 5.1. I really don't think we're gonna see support for 5.1 using Sonos. Really disappointing though.

Corrode

Enthusiast II

There isn't one in particular I'd recommend, but you're looking for an HDMI switch or an HDMI extractor. Those are usually the names it'll go by.

I took a look and can't find a TV out there which will convert PCM 5.1 into Dolby Digital 5.1 for optical output.

Hey Ryan, I think you need to be more clear in your recommendation since PCM 5.1 is not supported over optical but only over HDMI which means an HDMI switch or extractor will do nothing.

You need some kind of converter (run your Switch into an Xbox One) or Nintendo needs to transcode to DD 5.1 OR Sonos needs to add HDMI to its PLAYBAR/BASE.

DTS or bust

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brook.patten

Lyricist I

This is such a terrible answer in the year 2017.
It's time Sonos start making this mythical 6ch pcm => dd 5.1 encoder device if they're not going to add an HDMI port.
I Currently have thousands of dollars wrapped up in sonos gear and I can't get surround sound out of a Nintendo, pretty sad state of affairs.

T

TheWalt

Contributor I

There isn't one in particular I'd recommend, but you're looking for an HDMI switch or an HDMI extractor. Those are usually the names it'll go by.

I took a look and can't find a TV out there which will convert PCM 5.1 into Dolby Digital 5.1 for optical output.

Hey Ryan, I think you need to be more clear in your recommendation since PCM 5.1 is not supported over optical but only over HDMI which means an HDMI switch or extractor will do nothing.

You need some kind of converter (run your Switch into an Xbox One) or Nintendo needs to transcode to DD 5.1 OR Sonos needs to add HDMI to its PLAYBAR/BASE.

I ran my Switch through my Xbox One this morning hoping that it would transcode the signal to DD. Sonos app said it was receiving Dolby Digital 5.1 (Xbox is set to bitstream -> DD), however I did the surround test and got no signal out of the rear channels. I'm not certain that it's even possible for the Switch to get a 5.1 signal to Sonos.

C

conmadigan

Lyricist III

ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATED GAME OF ALL TIME IN stereo 😞

G

Glosblues

Lyricist II

Found this on eBay in America, anybody think it will work? http://m.ebay.com/itm/HDMI-Dolby-DTS-PCM-5-1-7-1-To-Optical-Digital-Audio-Converter-Decoder-/230840436904?hash=item35bf2988a8%3Ag%3A6PEAAOSwLEtYlKRV&_trkparms=pageci%253Ab24b6074-9600-11e7-8eb8-74dbd1809741%257Cparentrq%253A6adeca6c15e0a991f30a797bfff483bc%257Ciid%253A1

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