Panasonic ub820 Hdmi audio help for LG cx/sonos beam v2.

malcolm mccaw · 11 Jan 2022 at 20:21

Hello all, i have a Panasonic ub820 disc player, its connected to a LG CX tv via hdmi socket 1, and works fine. I then use earc out on the tv into a sonos beam 2 via hdmi, meaning i can have either tv sound or soundbar sound.
But here is the problem, i have a big collection of DTS films, and there is only 1 hdmi port on the beam,
so sometimes, i would want to connect the soundbar using the other hdmi port on the player, which says hdmi audio out, if possible.
The reason being is that whilst the pan ub820 player supports DTS audio, the LG tv dosen't. So it will downmix the audio to 2.0 pcm stereo when playing it through the telly, then onto the sonos beam 2.

I overlooked this before i got the sonos beam :rolleyes:

This would mean me pulling out the hdmi plug out of the back of the soundbar and putting the other hdmi lead in from the audio out on the player so i can get dts 5.1.
I have tried this but cant get any sound from the sonos, just tv sound.

Is anyone familiar with the settings on the panasonic ub820 that could help that could help?
Many thanks m

lucid · 11 Jan 2022 at 21:15

On the 820, you'll want the Video HDMI output set to Automatic. The Audio Only HDMI output should be set to Audio mode.

When you make the cable changes you should power everything off at the wall socket. Switch off the supply or unplug the mains plugs. When you put power back on it will force the gear to do a new HDMI handshake. This should make it see the new configuration.

malcolm mccaw · 11 Jan 2022 at 23:03

lucid said:
On the 820, you'll want the Video HDMI output set to Automatic. The Audio Only HDMI output should be set to Audio mode.

When you make the cable changes you should power everything off at the wall socket. Switch off the supply or unplug the mains plugs. When you put power back on it will force the gear to do a new HDMI handshake. This should make it see the new configuration.

Thank you, i will give this a try tomorrow.

malcolm mccaw · 12 Jan 2022 at 01:58

Thanks again Lucid.

When i try this tomorrow, and if it does work?

I wonder if i would have to go through this every time i just want to watch a dts film? (i.e tv,disc player,sbar reset) as this would be a right ball ache. I only really need the tv to be connected to the soundbar direct because of netflix/atmos only, otherwise i wouldn't bother because i prefer using just tv speakers for normal daily telly use.

I could still return the sonos as ive only had it two weeks, BUT i do like it as it gives a good clear voice dialogue without being over powered by background explosions etc. and the bass is ok ish. However i would like to add their sub for that thump feel though! But i live in a flat, (tv room 5mx4m) and do have to think of the neighbours, but i can play it loud when i know they are out.

But given the fact that i have a big collection of DTS/DTS-HD films, i think i may have jumped the gun and picked the wrong soundbar tbh?
Plus sonos has only recently supported DTS too, and will offer DTS surround only (5.1 ive seen), not DTS-HD though, but i wonder with novice ears, if i would know the difference between the two anyway on a small soundbar?

I still have my audio system below the tv that i used to use on occasion via optical (2.1), Denon m39 - 2x monitor audio bx2's - Bk gemini 2 active sub.

IF? i can't get the sonos to play DTS 5.1, and do have to send it back?
I will have to get a different soundbar, but maybe i could link it in with my own existing BK subwoofer?

CAN ANYONE recommend a different BRAND medium size soundbar that ticks my DTS/HD Atmos boxes, (up firing, if poss) and gives good vocal clarity?????

Many thanks for reading

malcolm mccaw · 12 Jan 2022 at 20:22

Hello Lucid,
I tried what you said but it still won't work?? I cant get the panasonic player to output hdmi sound directly into the sonos using those settings?
Any other suggestions please?

lucid · 13 Jan 2022 at 01:55

You've hit the limitation that the ARC/eARC port is not the same as a standard HDMI input. The Beam is looking for an eArc audio signal. It's not getting that with the direct audio feed from the HDMI Audio out on the Panny.

There is a workaround though.

Included with your Beam (Gen 2 / S2) there was an adaptor to make it possible to connect a TV with only Optical to the Beam's eARC socket. This is an optical to HDMI adaptor. Find that and connect up to the Panny UB820 Optical output. You will get standard DTS.

lucid · 13 Jan 2022 at 06:43

malcolm mccaw said:
CAN ANYONE recommend a different BRAND medium size soundbar that ticks my DTS/HD Atmos boxes, (up firing, if poss) and gives good vocal clarity?????

In terms on vocal clarity and DTS/DTS-HD and even DTS:X, and Atmos, and multiple HDMIs plus ARC and the ability to run with a wired 3rd party sub, then I would have suggested the Yamaha YSP-5600. For connectivity it's almost as good as a decent AV receiver. However, although it's 'hang on the wall' slim it is also wide. Imagine a Beam × 75% of another Beam width. That's probably way too wide.for you. It's also a lot more money. The rep is £1,600 , but there are some factory refurbished units in the channel at £1,000. Even so, it's still a heck of a lot more dough than the simpler Beam.

malcolm mccaw · 13 Jan 2022 at 15:46

Hello,
Called panasonic, i tried all their settings, no luck.
Called sonos, and they tell me the panasonic player cannot be connected direct to the soundbar, it has to go through tv first! I tried hdmi, and optical converter into it too.

I could try the optical from the tv, BUT i
understand the LG tv dosen't support DTS either???? Unless you think it will work, and i will try it?

malcolm mccaw · 13 Jan 2022 at 20:13

Hello Lucid, just thought id let you know that...

I tried the PS4 with a blu ray dts film, and it came out on the S2 iphone app saying multichannel PCM 7.1 !!?

I guess i will have to play my big collection of DTS films through the PS4 then, if i decide to keep the beam?

Its a real shame i can’t get the panasonic to play them though given the better tech it packs over the PS4!

Im now on the sonos community site, and this LG/Beam2/ub820 issue is a well known problem on there.

Regards m

malcolm mccaw · 14 Jan 2022 at 17:27

Got It Working! It was the hdmi cable.

Raza 1 · 26 Jan 2022 at 01:23

Hi malcolm mccaw.
I read this discussion yesterday and i have the exact same problem. I could not get soundbar to work with the panasonic 820. I was so glad to hear you sorted it out by changing your hdmi cable.

I then also bought new hdmi cable from ivanky. I have tried it today but still no luck , sound still only comes out of tv. I was previously using hdmi cable that came with the sonus. That didnt work intially.

Would appreciate some input from you as you were literally in exact same issue but have managed to get it working!

hornetstinger · 26 Jan 2022 at 08:32

This is the problem with soundbar, limited connectivity and relying on hdmi protocol. Also you can't use your existing sub, you have to use the overpriced Sonos sub, which you then can't reuse.

I would buy a AVR and passive soundbar. Allows you to add surround speakers and subwoofers from any brand, upgrade avr without needing to stick to that brand .