Wow! $699 - that's pretty aggressive!

Single optical in, no HDMI.

They managed to keep it reasonably shallow from the looks of it.

I wonder how Play:3s as surrounds will actually work?

How did you see that? The webinar hasn't started....that is agressive

Never mind, they have it on their site :). Man is it ugly though

I just got the email also....and it's on their site..
I actually like the looks of it...although it's limited to dolby digital, i can see these with the wireless sub going into secondary rooms...
Webinar coming up!

Wireless 5.1 for $2000. Not bad. :)

I like the looks too. Although the speakers angled down when wall mounted below the TV? Not sure about that. But for the price, I will probably pick one up. Wall mount bracket looks beefy too. Maybe wall mount above, but the cables come out the other end it looks like.

Interesting. Surprised at the price a bit. I was sure it would be $999. They need to lower the price of the SUB to $499 IMHO. But hey. I bet they will sell a lot of these. The lower priced matte finish sub will be coming soon anyway.

Understands and speaks most IR remote’s language and can be controlled by free apps for your Android®, iPhone® or iPad®.

Does that mean that it can be controlled by ir codes/ has ir codes?

Did you see the picture at the bottom of the page?

It uses a database of IR codes, you tell it what type of TV you have and apparently it will be controlled by your TV remote. It doesnt have IR codes it just uses a "database" but to answer your question, yeah you can use a custom remote with it for the basic IR functions.

Isn't the optical out on most flat panels variable with the TV volume? If so, wouldn't that negate the need for the PlayBar to need to respond to IR codes?

And if you're just listening to music, use the volume on the Sonos GUI like you would on any Sonos zone player?

I was going to ask if most TV's have a variable volume output on the optical. I don't use them all that much, and when I do, its to a bar that has it's out volume control via their own remote.

I thought optical was fixed? Like Goldenzrule i can count on three fingers the amount of times ive hooked something up via the optical out from the TV

Optical outputs are most often fixed. The last thing you want is a "cheap" digital volume control. The remote codes likely adjust the SONOS bar's volume level, not the TV's. Just make sure your TV has the ability to turn off its speakers or it sounds like you could run into problems. :) This is like many other soundbars out there that can "learn" the volume commands from your other remote. Nothing new.

And with the autoplay option for the external inputs, this can now be just as easily added to any system as any other soundbar. Plug in the audio out from the TV, learn the volume commands from whatever remote you want, and there you have it.

I can see this as an excellent starting point for people who do not know about SONOS or are on the fence about buying it. If they need a soundbar anyway, sell them this one. It works fine as a soundbar, but does all the SONOS stuff as a bonus.

One thing I would like to see is a SONOS wireless 2 ch. amplifier. Using the PLAY:3 as surround speakers is fine if you have a place and a plug where you need them to go. If not, then what? Having a SONOS amplifier that can go anywhere and connect to standard speakers would be bada$$.

I do not think the lack of HDMI is bad. I was hoping for it, but it is what it is. So you do not get the HD tracks from bluray discs. Big deal. How many soundbar systems can really make full use of those over the DD/DTS tracks anyway?

.

??????don't we already have that....the connect amp??????

Yes.....now if they will allow you to assign the rear channels to a CONNECT:AMP, I will be happy. :)

I was thinking more along the lines of just an amp....not being a "zone player". But if they would allow the SONOS setup to steer the surround channels to a CONNECT:AMP, that is good enough for me. It sounds like you are limited to using PLAY:3 for surround channels at the moment.

how are we supposed to run the power cord
do we have to have a outlet put behind the sound bar now too
or do we run the power cable through the wall - yikes

This is exactly what I was thinking. Have a client right now this would be perfect for except she needs in-ceiling surrounds.