Does Sky broacast in surround audio via the PCM option?

[Deet]

Due to lip sync issues with my SkyQ box I prefer to watch with audio output set to Normal (have tried all delays etc with Dolby Digital & digital +)  to no avail. 

However during some programs it seems certain sounds are coming only from my rear speakers, how can this be?

Does Sky broadcast in surround audio over PCM?
I have A Sonos Beam & 2 play ones as surround speakers. 
I use the TV's built in apps rather than SkyQ interface to watch Netflix Apple TV etc to get perfect lip sync without issues. 

[PandJ2020]

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@Deet wrote:

Does Sky broadcast in surround audio over PCM?

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Surround over stereo channels is a rather an old encoding method (e.g. Dolby Surround) - long surpassed by discrete options (e.g. Dolby Digital).

However, if your audio processor is set to produce a surround signal (instead of plain stereo) then strange things can happen like you describe.  Try changing the settings on the audio system.  Most programmes would not be encoded for DS but audio processors tend to still support surround from stereo processing - often quite useful to focus voice on the centre speaker.

But taking a step back - how are the units interconnected?  (as certain configurations are prone to sync issues, particularly using ARC)

[Deet]

Not sure if there are any settings within the Sonos app I can change? 
Its connected directly to the TV via the earc port using a hdmi lead

[PandJ2020]

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@Deet wrote:

Not sure if there are any settings within the Sonos app I can change? 

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I've never had Sonos kit - perhaps someone else can comment - or post on a Sonos site?

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@Deet wrote:

Its connected directly to the TV via the earc port using a hdmi lead

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As I said, that can be a problematic configuration.  Ideally, the Q box should go via the amp (if there are HDMI ports to do this).

[Deet]

Thanks @PandJ2020  No seperate amp involved with Sonos gear its self amplified each speaker having its own mains supply & attaches straight to the source over wifi or cable. 
Will see if anyone at Sonos knows anything! 

[nigea99]

@Deet 

To answer your initial question the PCM from a SKY Q box is always 2.0 but as @PandJ2020  indicates sometimes this can be 'expanded' by AV processors to provide surround sound - sometimes rather falsely.

I have had a quick look for info on the Sonos & it doesn't seem like you have a lot of control

As you have acknowldged it may be best to try to seek help on Sonos specific groups

That said, assuming you are relying on the ARC connection from your TV it may be worth exploring your TVs sound options to see if that may applying sound processing before passing the signal out

Does the Sonos have an optical input (I think  it may have) & if so have you tried connecting the SKY box directly to the Sonos via the optical connection & tried setting the Optical setting on the SKY Q box both to DD & Normal 

[cuke]

I've always set my TV's to passthrough when using a soundbar. It allows the audio signal to passthrough, obviously, and allows the audio device to process the sound instead of the tv.

[Deet]

No havent tried connecting sky box directly as there is only one input on the sonos so use the tv as the output to it. 

[Deet]

Not sure if my TV allows that? Its a Sony XR55A84LU

[nigea99]

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@Deet wrote:

No havent tried connecting sky box directly as there is only one input on the sonos so use the tv as the output to it. 

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Ah - I see the Beam only has an HDMI and not a separate optical that many other sound bars have

Sorry that is not an option for you