So, it used to be possible to take an analog output from the back of the TV and run it to the line in on a Sonos amp. When you turn the television on it was auto play through the speakers. Recently, the higher end Samsung televisions don't seem to have an analog output. So I used a digital to analog converter, but discovered the optical output seems to be on all the time. So if you put Sonos in the auto mode, it is always sensing TV audio.

Also, the TV volume didn't seem to be variable for the optical out on the last one I tried, so it made controlling the volume on a Sonos amp impossible except with the app.

Has anybody figured out how to auto play with newer Samsung televisions?

Yes, sell the Samsung and buy a Sony. I hate Samsung TVs

If your using something other than a Playbar, your out of luck on this one.

So other than hate, are you saying the Sony you use still has analog out? Which series are you using? Appreciate the recommendation.

Most XBR's have analog headphone jacks

Yeah, XBR series that I have used have all had an analog output, not that I use them that often but they are there. I really only use the XBR series with the seldom exception of a small TV in an office or a kids room, but even then I try to push the client up to XBR. Only thing I HATE about them now is the external power supply, which is another reason that an engineer should be dragged out back and, well, you know.

A harmony remotewill turn on the line in input on a connect amp via ip and control the volume via ip.

Would Total Control also do this RELIABLY?

I have been fighting a system in which tc sets two play:1s to group with a Playbar. The clients wants to be ablento control them individually rather than use them as rears. His hearing isnt great so he starts watchijg tv, it groups the play:1s, and then i have volume up and down buttons for each speaker on the screen. It seems to work fairly well, but he always has some gremlin going on in the system. Not sure if all its related to Sonos or not.

Turn off quick start on the tv

The hate will turn out to be pretty ridiculous if this is the answer. This is why there's an F in RTFM.

I posted about this a while ago.

I was able to fix this issue by turning off CEC in the Samsung. Hope this works for you too! It's definitely a WTF scenario if it works for you too.

[Link: remotecentral.com]


Oh, now I see you commented on this very thread. Maybe that did not fix the issue in your case.

This is a related and fairly important question. If the optical output could be made to work when it is supposed to, does the TV volume up and down change the volume coming out of the optical?

Currently, my one project requires TV volume to be adjusted with the Sonos app. Not ideal. With an analog headphone output, I would not have this problem. But if the optical output were variable, new options open up.

Nope, the optical will stay fixed. Turning off CEC would only fix the issue of the optical line staying on when the TV is in standby unfortunately. Analog headphone out would be ideal.