21 Jan 2025 07:31 AM
I have Sky Q connected to a Sonos system. I am not getting surround sound from any channel. It used to work and I have not changed any connection. I still get surround sound from any streamed content through the Sky Q box. The onscreen programme guide doesn't show DS for any channel.
21 Jan 2025 03:47 PM
I've solved it! I had Audio Description turned on. I don't know how and I don't watch any programmes that use it. I noticed it when looking at Sky settings to see if there was anything I didn't expect.
As soon as I turned it off I got full Dolby sound on most channels including u&alibi.
Thanks again for your help with this.
21 Jan 2025 07:44 AM - last edited: 21 Jan 2025 07:48 AM
Posted by a Superuser, not a Sky employee. Find out more
@RogerClark wrote:
I have Sky Q connected to a Sonos system. I am not getting surround sound from any channel. It used to work and I have not changed any connection. I still get surround sound from any streamed content through the Sky Q box. The onscreen programme guide doesn't show DS for any channel.
As you mention streamed content is working it does imply that the connections (& I presume TV settings) are OK
5.1 sound is only available from HD or UHD channels, so is it possible that for some reason the 'smart switch' to keep the HD chanels first in the list isn't working & you are watching the SD versions ?
Even if that is not the cause may I suggest a restart your SKY Q box :
Use the remote to place it into standby mode
Then remove the power to it (either switch off at mains or remove the power plug)
Wait at least 30s
Then re-apply the power & wait for it to fully restart - this may take a few minutes.
Needless to say not all chanels or programmes do have 5.1 surround - in fact probably the majority don't.
I regularly watch Alibi which does have it as do most programmes on SKY Atalantic
BTW I am not sure what you mean about DS in the Programme Guide - 5.1 has never been shown on the TV Guide
THe HD channels use DD but as I mention the majority are in 2.0 not 5.1
21 Jan 2025 08:55 AM
Thank you for your reply.
I have tried rebooting Sky but with no effect. I have tried several channels in Sky Sports and Cinema. I'm not getting surround sound on any of them.
by DS in the programme guide I meant this.
"what do codes in the programme information mean" on Sky Help. Is says: DS: You can hear this show in surround sound if you have a compatible TV or speaker system
21 Jan 2025 09:10 AM - last edited: 21 Jan 2025 09:16 AM
Posted by a Superuser, not a Sky employee. Find out more
@RogerClark wrote:
Thank you for your reply.
I have tried rebooting Sky but with no effect. I have tried several channels in Sky Sports and Cinema. I'm not getting surround sound on any of them.
by DS in the programme guide I meant this.
"what do codes in the programme information mean" on Sky Help. Is says: DS: You can hear this show in surround sound if you have a compatible TV or speaker system
Do you have a link to this page - it has never been shown on the SKY Q TV Guide
If you are getting 5.1 via the SKY Q apps but not on live channels I am really stumped as the reason
Only some sports are 5.1 (at the moment all that I tried seem to be 2.0) but probably all the SKY Cinema channels are 5.1 (edit: as I write this a couple aren't but several are) and working for me as I write this As I mentioned Alibi HD is also in 5.1 (Father Brown as I write this)
As I say I am stumped and may not be able to advise further but just in case can you confirm how your set up is - you mentioned Sonos so are you routing via the TV and relying on the HDMI ARC connection to the sonos ?
How are determining if it is a 5.1 signal - are there status lights on the Sonos etc or does it show in an app (I have no personal experience of Sonos I am afraid)
21 Jan 2025 09:38 AM
https://www.sky.com/help/articles/what-do-the-codes-in-the-programme-information-mean
The really strange thing is that this used to work on my system!
I have tried several Sky Sports channels, including Premier League UHD coverage. Similarly Sky Cinema - I don't get surround sound on any of the live channel but I do get it with the same films when steamed from Sky.
The Sonos app on my phone shows the sound quality- stereo on Sky live channels, Dolby 5.1 for streams.
my Sonos is connected to the television via the HDMI ARC port which I believe is the recommended way. I will try connecting Sonos directly to Sky but I don't want to do that long term as I watch some content via apps on the tv.
21 Jan 2025 09:51 AM
Posted by a Superuser, not a Sky employee. Find out more
@RogerClark wrote:
https://www.sky.com/help/articles/what-do-the-codes-in-the-programme-information-mean
The really strange thing is that this used to work on my system!
I have tried several Sky Sports channels, including Premier League UHD coverage. Similarly Sky Cinema - I don't get surround sound on any of the live channel but I do get it with the same films when steamed from Sky.
The Sonos app on my phone shows the sound quality- stereo on Sky live channels, Dolby 5.1 for streams.
my Sonos is connected to the television via the HDMI ARC port which I believe is the recommended way. I will try connecting Sonos directly to Sky but I don't want to do that long term as I watch some content via apps on the tv.
Many thanks fpr the link - I will refer this to SKY as it is not up to date
Although I doubt it will be any different for you but please can you try the U&Alibi HD channel live (make sure it is the HD channel) ?
Yes for the Sonos I think the ARC connection via the TV is really the only route - although as a test it would be intereting to see if you get a different result if connecting direct
21 Jan 2025 03:47 PM
I've solved it! I had Audio Description turned on. I don't know how and I don't watch any programmes that use it. I noticed it when looking at Sky settings to see if there was anything I didn't expect.
As soon as I turned it off I got full Dolby sound on most channels including u&alibi.
Thanks again for your help with this.
21 Jan 2025 04:05 PM
Posted by a Superuser, not a Sky employee. Find out more
@RogerClark wrote:
I've solved it! I had Audio Description turned on. I don't know how and I don't watch any programmes that use it. I noticed it when looking at Sky settings to see if there was anything I didn't expect.
As soon as I turned it off I got full Dolby sound on most channels including u&alibi.
Thanks again for your help with this.
Oh great news.
Thanks for the update
I wouldn't have thought of that.
I will try and remember this in case someone comes here in future
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