Zidoo Z9X and Sonos Arc

I've been using my Sony x800M2 to watch my 4k UHD Blu Rays, but I've also been ripping my movies to my computer in hopes of not having to use the discs anymore. My Arc won't play DTS:X or DTS-HD, but I could still get lossless multichannel PCM because the Sony would decode the signal and send lossless multichannel PCM to the Arc. I picked up a Zidoo Z9X and I noticed that the only option for PCM is stereo PCM so that doesn't work. Is there a Zidoo model that will do this? If not, is there any other option besides getting a new AVR?

 

I'm afraid not - decoding proprietary codecs like DTS & Dolby to multichannel PCM requires appropriate licencing which Zidoo does not have.

If you need to use an audio return path you need equipment with E-ARC instead of ARC for lossless codecs. A much better and less problematic solution is to connect directly to the AVR - ie. Zidoo > AVR > Display.

*EDIT* Haha - just realised a Sonos "Arc" is a product and you weren't referring to ARC - however the answer still stands - the Zidoo will not decode to multi channel PCM...

 

Thanks for the quick response! That's what I was thinking, but I just wanted to confirm. I've always used an AVR, but when we bought an older house this year with plaster walls, I didn't want to put a bunch of holes in the walls so I went with a sound bar. I tried the Sonos at Costco and thought it sounded amazing.......I had no idea it wouldn't support every audio codec like my previous AVR's, so that's my fault for not doing enough research. Plus side is I bought it at Costco so I can return it lol.

 

Same damn problem with the new ARC Ultra.
Would have liked if the Zidoo z30 Pro would have decoded DTS into multichannel PCM as the Sony Blu-Ray does.

worst is that on auto it only outputs 2 Chanel for Dolby Atmos and other Dolby multichannel codecs as well.
If using RAW output Atmos is fine, but no sound for DTS.

 

It should work in Auto - Dolby codecs will pass through and DTS will be converted to 2 channel PCM.

 

That was what I was thinking also, but it doesn’t.

auto makes everything 2 channel pcm, just like the 2 channel pcm option.

 

Bizarrely I just tried it with a custom EDID and I get the opposite - if I remove DTS and DTS-HD support from the EDID, all Dolby codecs pass through but oddly DTS-HD also passes through... That's obviously a bug that's gone unnoticed all these years...

But there is a workaround > Turn on Downmix for DTS.

So to confirm:

Z9X v6.4.68

DTS/DTS-HD removed from EDID

Settings/Audio /HDMI Audio > Auto
Settings/Audio/Downmic HD Audio Output/Downmix for DTS > On

AC3, AC3+, AC3+Atmos, TrueHD, TrueHD Atmos - All passthrough
DTS, DTS-HD, DTS-X - 2 Ch PCM

 

I have tried to use the Downmix for DTS without any difference. Same issue with that set to on as well.

zidoo Z30 Pro
V1.1.60

 

Ah, hang on - this is the 1619DR forum so I assumed it was a 1619DR box.

The new boxes don't have the DTS-HD bug, so no need to set DTS Downmix.

Just confirmed here with an EDID with DTS and DTS-HD removed and Auto works as expected. Must be your EDID.

Can you post your EDID.

 

Like this?

The TV is a Samsung TQ55S90C and Sonos ARC Ultra with Zidoo Z30 Pro

 

Yep - like that!

Can't see anything odd in there at all - but try this one - this is one that works fine here - the audio settings are the same as yours so theoretically it shouldn't behave any differently - but give it a try.

 

This actually did the magic

Thank you very much!

 

That's really odd!! The audio section is the same as yours...

Go figure!

 

That is strange, but today strange made me happy

 

I'm very glad

 

@Markswift2003 , im having a similar issue but with the Zidoo Z20 Pro.

I’ve got a Sonos Arc and all DTS/DTS-HD.

I’d like to implement your workaround but I’m not sure how to edit the EDID. Is this documented somewhere?

Thanks!

 

If it helps, here’s my current EDID saved from the Z2o Pro

 

What's the issue exactly?

 

All DTS and DTS-HD audio comes through as Stereo PCM, although maybe that's expected? I understand the Sonos Arc doesn't support DTS.

 

Yes, that's expected behaviour and youe EDID bears that out - it only supports PCM and Dolby codecs.