Sonos 5.1 setup possible from multiple sources??

[Rannoch]

An HDMI switch won't help because the Playbar only accepts an optical input.

Am I right in thinking because the playbar lacks HDMI it will never support DTS-HD?

 

[Bunka]

Right.... I apologise fellas, but it'll be a while before I report back!

Just ordered the switch above, and four optical cables from eBay, but currently my house has no flooring and is pretty much a building site.

Hooooold on a sec - you dont want to go for a decent wired solution because of having to deal with hiding the cables etc.

With the floor up, you have loads of options of stashing a couple of cables under there! Even if the joists are running in the wrong direction, you could buy some flat speaker cable, cut a small channel into the sub floor and run them along that?

 

[Minstadave]

Am I right in thinking because the playbar lacks HDMI it will never support DTS-HD?

It doesn't even support DTS, let alone HD formats.

 

[Chris [BEANS]]

Hooooold on a sec - you dont want to go for a decent wired solution because of having to deal with hiding the cables etc.

With the floor up, you have loads of options of stashing a couple of cables under there! Even if the joists are running in the wrong direction, you could buy some flat speaker cable, cut a small channel into the sub floor and run them along that?

Just looking at the Monster Audio speakers, they look nice, but the benefit of the Sonos is the soundbar plays the role of the centre and the front side speakers.

That physical setup would suit my room better.
Difficult to explain, might take a pic.

Ultimately, I 'think' I'm going Sonos and an optical switch. Seems the neater solution which is quite important to me....

Ultimately, there's nowhere sensible to put the front left (or right?! Do you refer to it as you're facing it or as it is to the tv?!) speaker because there's a door in the way, plus I prefer the simple and more minimalist aesthetic of the Sonos.

The floor the speaker cable would be run across is concrete with Karndean going on top.
The cable would have to poke out at the join with the skirting, and would be a permanent fixture and inflexible for any future moves or rearrangements.

Plus, as I've said above I'm no dedicated audiophile. I appreciate that other solutions may be better phonically, but the Sonos will be a huge step up from what I'm used to, and as long as I get surround sound I'll be as happy as a pic in mud!

 

[Rannoch]

It doesn't even support DTS, let alone HD formats.

For the price you think they would have added it.

 

[vila]

Which basically means you won't be able to get ANY type of 5.1 from an awful lot of Blu Rays as DTS HD is by far the most popular audio used on the format.

 

[traveyb]

Good to hear!
Can I ask what you've got plugged into the TV that you get 5.1 from? Console, dedicated bluray player, etc?

Would be great if my TV handles the passthrough without the need for the optical switch, much more elegant, but I've ordered one now anyway so that when it comes to setting up if mine doesn't then I don't have to wait an extra few days for the switch.

I'm optimistic now! My TV is a Sony too (although I have a Samsung available and I will try both out) and I think is a slightly higher spec (the numbers after the 'w' are slightly higher) so fingers crossed it will have the same passthrough... erm.... ability? Capability? Erm... do it too, fingers crossed it will do it too

I have my Apple TV 4 and PS4 plugged in. Both output 5.1 to the Sonos via HDMI

For the price you think they would have added it.

I hope one day they will however I personally don't have a need for it. They once said that they felt there wasn't enough interest but I think times have changed

 

[Bluecube]

I've been reading up on the hires audio issue and it seems to be a hardware limitation. So without upgraded hardware it's not going to happen...

 

[Chris [BEANS]]

I have my Apple TV 4 and PS4 plugged in. Both output 5.1 to the Sonos via HDMI

Glad to hear about the PS4. So many conflicting stories online.

So frustrating waiting to get this done. Few weeks and I'll have it all bought and hooked up!

Starting to think of a new TV now though

I've been reading up on the hires audio issue and it seems to be a hardware limitation. So without upgraded hardware it's not going to happen...

not entirely sure what this means??

Edit: Googled. High Res audio?

 

[vila]

not entirely sure what this means??

Blu Rays and UHD Blu Rays have their Audio in 'Hi Res' formats like 'Dolby True HD' and 'DTS Master Audio'

These formats can only be sent via HDMI cable and not via optical.

You won't be able to listed to any high res tracks in their full bitrate quality.

All Blu Ray players can down mix Dolby True HD to Dolby digital 5.1 and DTS Master Audio to DTS for older 5.1 systems that didn't do Hi Res formats.

Unfortunately unlike say DVD the vast majority of Blu Rays use DTS Master Audio tracks, being as the Sonos doesn't second basic DTS you aren't going to be getting a lot of 5.1 from your blu rays.

 

[Chris [BEANS]]

Blu Rays and UHD Blu Rays have their Audio in 'Hi Res' formats like 'Dolby True HD' and 'DTS Master Audio'

These formats can only be sent via HDMI cable and not via optical.

You won't be able to listed to any high res tracks in their full bitrate quality.

All Blu Ray players can down mix Dolby True HD to Dolby digital 5.1 and DTS Master Audio to DTS for older 5.1 systems that didn't do Hi Res formats.

Unfortunately unlike say DVD the vast majority of Blu Rays use DTS Master Audio tracks, being as the Sonos doesn't second basic DTS you aren't going to be getting a lot of 5.1 from your blu rays.

There appears to be a work around:-

There is one work around.
You can plug your PS4 directly into your sound system via optical out. If your sound system supports Dolby/DTS you are golden, if not (for example the Sonos Playbar in 5.1 doesn't support DTS yet...) you need to select Dobly Digital 5.1 as your optical output, then when watching a BluRay movie press "Options" and go over to Audio, then select "BITSTREAM(MIX)" This will convert the DTS track to Dolby Digital, and it will play in 5.1 sound.

Found here:- http://community.us.playstation.com...-cable-on-Surround-Sound/td-p/42338089/page/2

 

[Bluecube]

But surely the point is that you shouldn't need a workaround nor should a near £800 or more setup only be capable of Dolby Digital.

 

[Minstadave]

Absolutely, it's a stupid limitation for high end kit that's main selling point is its simplicity.

I'm surprised they updated the play 5 first, the play bar is in desperate need of some love.

 

[vila]

But surely the point is that you shouldn't need a workaround nor should a near £800 or more setup only be capable of Dolby Digital.

err i think its closer to £1.5k by the time you add in the rears and sub for 'actual' 5.1

 

[Chris [BEANS]]

I'm getting pretty stuck!!

The more I research, the more I'm leaning towards waiting!!

I want Sonos, throughout the house, however this DTS thing appears to be a huge issue.
Sonos will not be adding DTS to the Playbar as they don't have the right hardware and apparently can't licence a software solution.

Playbar is three years old, so I'm guessing there must be a Mk 2 due soon??
Also, apparently both Philips and Samsung are releasing wireless 5.1 systems that have DTS and in Samsung's case something called Atmos.

There are also other similar solutions on the way.

So, I could still have Sonos around the house, then connect it to the other 5.1 system via a bridge.

All of this new technology is due in 2016....


On the other hand, after all of my research it does appear that I can make do with somewhat cumbersome workarounds.
I'm dead keen to get started, and if a soundbar Mk2 is on the horizon, then I could simply replace mine on release, flog the old one for half the price and it's only cost a few quid....

Hmmmmm

 

[Chris [BEANS]]

This is ridiculous.

I have too much time on my hands, and I'm just sat around surrounded by boxes so I'm going over and over what to do.....

Researched the Denon amp lucid recommends in his first post.
Seems it can be controlled by an iOS app!

So, I could hide it in the cupboard under the stairs.
If I can lay speaker cable under the Karndean floor (Internet is ambiguous and routing the concrete isn't going to happen), then I might go with the Denon amp and the Monitor Audio speakers.
I'd have to put the front speakers on stands directly next to the TV though and it might hurt the minimalist look I'm hoping for....

However, this would mean I get super surround sound on everything, I can hide the amp, and once this Sky Q thing is out with its Bluetooth remote, then literally everything can be hidden away.....

I've crudely drawn my room and intended setup and if I can work out how to get it hosted from my phone, I'll post it so you guys get an idea of what I'm talking about...

 

[vila]

Researching is the right thing to do - you don't seem super aware of what can and can't be done and surely it makes sense if you're going to be spending £1500 on equipment.

The denon is a great amp ( i have a slightly higher end model myself) that said most amps have app's that can control them now and controlling anything you want while keeping it hidden is relatively easy with something like a harmony remote.

If a minimalist look is important to you there is a massive variety of choices out there..

Off the top of my head have a look at

Kef E Series speaker system
Kef T Series speaker system
Anthony Gallow M1 Nucleus Micro speakers
Bowers & Wilkins MT50

Some of these speakers are incredibly small and i struggle to believe you wouldn't be able to find a solution to wall mount them.

Perhaps it might help people understand what your trying to get your head around if you just posted some pictures of the room and where you're planning to put things - TV, Seating and speakers?

Depending on where in the country you are I would try and find yourself a good dealer - not a curry's or a John Lewis, a nice independent or something like a sevenoakes and have a look and a listen to some of the kit that interests you.

There's also a wealth of free independent reviews and knowledge on custom installs over at AV Forums.

If you really just want something better than the TV speakers the Philips Fidelio B5 sound bar came out last year - its not going to come close to what a amp and speakers can do but it has actual wireless (not plugged) rear speakers that detach from the sound bar for use, takes HDMI cables and DTS signals which is the bare minimum you should expect these days.

 

[Chris [BEANS]]

Excuse the crudely drawn scrawl on an envelope!!

Circles are where the speakers will go, 'S' is the Sub, rectangle behind the TV is the cupboard behind the stairs where I'll stash stuff.
I'm getting a brush plate put in between the two.

Unless I'm misunderstanding, I take it the HDMI from various inputs, Apple TV, PS4 etc go into the amp, which in turn has a single HDMI into the TV?

Can anyone comment on whether this adds any significant screen lag to online games etc?
Might the best thing for the PS4 be to HDMI direct to the TV and optical out to the amp?

Edit: I'm in Dartford, so assuming the Sevenoaks place you're talking about is actually in Sevenoaks, I can go check it out.....

 

[vila]

Excuse the crudely drawn scrawl on an envelope!!

Circles are where the speakers will go, 'S' is the Sub, rectangle behind the TV is the cupboard behind the stairs where I'll stash stuff.
I'm getting a brush plate put in between the two.

Unless I'm misunderstanding, I take it the HDMI from various inputs, Apple TV, PS4 etc go into the amp, which in turn has a single HDMI into the TV?

Can anyone comment on whether this adds any significant screen lag to online games etc?
Might the best thing for the PS4 be to HDMI direct to the TV and optical out to the amp?

Edit: I'm in Dartford, so assuming the Sevenoaks place you're talking about is actually in Sevenoaks, I can go check it out.....

Is the TV going on the wall on a table top stand?

Yep everything into the amp and one cable to the TV

No clue about games but for movies you want to use HDMI so you get the full bitrate higher quality soundtracks - if its an issue i suppose blu ray players are really cheap now.

Its just one of the better chains ime for letting you see and demo stuff they have branches around the country especially in the SE

 

[Chris [BEANS]]

The TV will be sat on top of a media unit, not wall mounted.