Samsung TV is not playing 5.1 audio through the optical output

The optical audio output on the TV is capable of outputting 5.1 audio but only when the TV is decoding the audio signal. Our guide will help you determine when 5.1 will be available and with what audio cables.

Samsung TV is not playing 5.1 audio through the optical output

Note

Even though HDMI is capable of carrying a 5.1 audio signal, HDCP (High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) keeps the TV from passing decoded 5.1 audio content from the HDMI input to the optical output. Because of this, 5.1 audio output from optical is not available when using the HDMI input.

* Only available with digital stations/signals that are carrying a 5.1 audio signal.

** Only available with files that have been encoded with a 5.1 audio codec.

*** Only available with apps that carry a 5.1 audio track.

External devices connected directly to the TV will not output 5.1 through optical. Instead, if your setup supports it, output the sound signal from the device directly to your sound system, and output only the video signal directly to the TV. Here's a couple ways to do it:

An Xbox One can have an HDMI cable connected to the TV for video and an optical cable connected to the soundbar for audio. In this setup, the Xbox One is in the middle, and sending a video signal to the TV and an audio signal to the soundbar.

If you have a home theater system or soundbar with pass through, connect the Xbox One to the soundbar's HDMI in, and then run an HDMI out from the soundbar to the TV. In this setup, the sound system is in the middle, getting both the video and audio signal from the Xbox One, keeping the audio signal for itself, and passing just the video signal through to the TV.

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