So it only works if your devices don't output a signal when they are off. The reviews are mixed between extremely happy 5-stars and extremely unhappy 1 stars because people bought them not understanding how they work.Įssentially, it's just mixing the two signals together. I just ordered an optical splitter from Amazon.įrom what it looks like, it allows you to take two optical inputs and have one output.
I haven't been on the forums in a few months and a cursory skim through thread posts didn't reveal anything new, although it sounds like Sonos may release a DTS update through software based on some rumors I read on the forums so that's exciting. Or maybe someone will report that Sonos has come out with an official list of TVs that support the Playbar's intended functionality that it was engineered around (re: sending 5.1 out of optical). If that Monoprice unit comes back, even though it's just a dual unit, maybe I can get away with running two of them, one into the other, to get the 3 inputs that I need. With the ability to manually switch for diagnostic or special use circumstances. I like the idea that whichever of the 4 inputs are outputting a signal is the one that is live.
Ideally, whatever I choose, it's automatic with a manual override. I would also consider an HDMI switcher that has the appropriate audio output that parses out the correct 5.1 audio signal. Then when friends come over and marvel at the slim form factor and design of the Playbar, I can point out that they'll need a gigantic A/V receiver in order to get it working properly. As ridiculous as it sounds (and actually is), my best bet may be to buy a cheap $100 to $200 A/V receiver and use that for all my audio routing to the Playbar. I sold my old A/V receiver with my old 5.1 speaker set when I bought my playbar. I'm also debating over whether I should just buy another A/V receiver.
It does me no good if it downgrades the signal to 2.x. I need to route at least three inputs, ideally four to help future proof me. So, I'll need to buy an optical audio switcher. 99% chance it will not have it in spite of what people casually report on the internet. I'm buying a new TV soon but based on what research I've done, it's impossible to be certain any TV I buy will have proper 5.1 optical switching.
It was from monoprice and the link is dead, and a search on monoprice makes it look like it's discontinued with nothing else up in its place. Someone recommended an automatic 2 input optical audio switcher in one of the original playbar threads.