Is Apple Music Content Supported?

Apple Music content is generally supported for Play-Fi products that support AirPlay integration.

For products that don't have our AirPlay integration, the Play-Fi can support some Apple Music content if purchased or ripped from CDs, including legacy content from iTunes.

Content from Apple music that has copy protection, such as content downloaded through a subscription or legacy content that was not re-downloaded in the past few years, cannot be played via the Play-Fi app due to that protection.

Gapless Playback

What is Gapless Playback?

Gapless playback is an often desired feature for deeply invested music listeners, as it specifically allows for seamless transitions from track to track. This is important for those who enjoy listening to albums that were designed to have the tracks run together, such as with certain studio albums--like those from Pink Floyd or The Beatles--or with live recordings. Having a clean and smooth transition with no silence between the tracks means the original audio experience is maintained. It's also a benefit for the casual listener, as you spend more time listening to music and less time listening to silence.

How can I use Gapless Playback with DTS Play-Fi?

Starting with software version 8.1, all forms of playback from the app are gapless, including critical listening mode and even multiroom music with 16 connected products. Any track from any supported service within the DTS Play-Fi app will play back to back, without added silence between the tracks. Play-Fi won't remove any silence inherent to the tracks, so that the original file integrity (or intended silence) is maintained.

For the best gapless experience, use lossless audio formats such as FLAC, AIFF, or WAV. Lossy formats such as MP3 will have data padding added during the encoding process, which will present as a brief silence at the start of tracks.

What DTS Play-Fi products support Gapless Playback?

Starting with 8.2, Gapless Playback is available for just about all Play-Fi products, with the only exception being AVR products from:

We are working with the manufacturers to add gapless support to their products, and for any that need an update, please let the manufacturers know that you're interested in the functionality.

Do Transferred Streams support Gapless Playback

As of 8.3, yes! So all forms of DTS Play-Fi streaming are now capable of gapless audio rendering.

Stream directly from the Play-Fi Product (Transfer)

A question we often get, which is somewhat technical, but important to people who care is: "Can I stream without needing to keep my phone or tablet on the network?" The answer is: Yes, using our Trasnfer feature.

The reason to do this is if you want to want to do other things without having to worry about the music stream, like if you're stepping out at a party, or are just trying to set up music to play for the rest of the day. It's also useful for if you're looking to improve streamign performance in certain situations where playing from the phone or tablet can be limiting.

To intitiate a Transfer, it's easy. Just start playback as usual, and once on the Now Playing screen, look for the highlighted button:

Tapping that will initiate a prompt begin the Transfer process, which happens automatically, and in some cases may need to have an extra one-time login for your product so that it can connect directly with the service. All services are supported, as well as playback modes, and even Critical Listening. Once it's done, you'll find yourself on the main Play-Fi control screen with the remote zone active and available for basic control.

If you tap the music icon in the top left of the zone, you can go back in and edit the zone and start a new queue.

Additionally, you can set a Scene to always start transferred. This way you can have a one-tap way to setting up your favorite stations and playlists. To learn more about setting and editing Scenes, feel free take a look at the Scenes section in this FAQ.

Background Information on Common Wi-Fi Problems

Why older routers, 802.11g and lower routers, and routers from ISPs are problematic

Many routers and wireless gateways provided by ISPs are older and lower quality than more modern networking gear.  Play-Fi is not especially demanding in terms of bandwidth, but it does require reliable transmit speed and quality signal.  Older routers often lack newer media streaming optimization features and the speed and range enhancements that current routers have.  Routers five years old or older are also known to become slower and less reliable as they age.  

Play-Fi will work on most 802.11g routers, but performance may not be the best. 802.11g does not support many optimizing features that were introduced in 802.11n. 802.11n routers also offer greatly improved speeds, and this can dramatically help not only Play-Fi, but also your daily network performance.  Due to its limited range and speed, Play-Fi Streaming over 802.11b is limited to a single speaker. 

Interference issues: areas with many wireless networks nearby, or with many other wireless devices in use

Using Play-Fi products in environments with many wireless networks operating at once, like an apartment building or crowded neighborhood, can be a challenge, because it is likely that these networks are causing interference with each other.

wifi analyzer

To check for this, if you are using Android, you can download and run an app like Wi-Fi Analyzer.  The app will show which broadcast channels are busy, and can help you choose a less cluttered one.  If the area is very crowded, switching to a router with 5GHz capabilities will make a big difference.   

Interference can also come from devices that don’t connect to your network, but are still emitting wireless signals.  Microwaves are one example, but wireless home phone systems and Bluetooth headphones and handsets also may cause trouble.  If your home has a lot of these devices, moving to a dual band router and using Play-Fi with the 5GHz band will be a major improvement.  Note that older Play-Fi products, like the Phorus PS1 Speaker, Phorus PR1 Receiver, and the Wren V5PF are only compatible with 2.4Ghz.

You can find instructions for changing the channel in your router owner’s manual, and a list of our recommended router specifications and models here.

Detailed information on the various 802.11 standards, 2.4 Ghz vs. 5Ghz streaming, and the impact of speed and bandwidth on network performance is available in our Wi-Fi Technology Glossary, here.

Playback stops after a few minutes (Battery Optimization)

If your playback always sems to stop after a relatively short period of time, here are some things you can do to keep the audio playing.

On Android, there are typically options in the Settings of most modern devices for Battery Optimization of individual apps. You can usually seach for this option in the Settings, or you can browse directly to the App settings page for Play-Fi app, and select the battery options within that menu. Either way, you should see a menu similar to this:

Ideally, you'll want to disable the battery optimization option, and this should prevent the app from being closed over time or when in the background.

For iOS or any device, you can try the Transfer feature. This will move the stream off the phone and onto the Play-Fi product, so it won't matter what the phone is doing. You can read more about that here.

Important Google Cast Update for Setup and Multiroom

Due to a recent legal ruling, Google is making some changes to Google Cast regarding how Speaker Group functionality will work moving forward for all supported products, including those built with DTS Play-Fi. If you’re using the Speaker Group feature to control the volume in the Google Home app, by voice with the Google Assistant, or directly on your Nest Hub display, you’ll notice a few changes: 

We will continue to support our users and work with Google to minimize any additional changes.

Customer Support Resources

If you have an issue that is not addressed in this Knowledge Base, or you wish to talk to customer service, select your product's brand below.

Anthem

Arcam

Definitive Technology

Integra

Klipsch Stream, Klipsch Customer Service

Loewe

Martin Logan

McIntosh Product Support, McIntosh Customer Support

Onkyo

Paradigm

Philips, Philips TVs

Phorus

Pioneer

Polk

SVS

Wren

DTS Play-Fi Technical Support - email: support@play-fi.com

What TVs support Surround Sound / Play-Fi Home Theater?

As a part of the new DTS Play-Fi Home Theater feature, certain televisions will be capable of working with other DTS Play-Fi products in the following ways:

This is a whole new feature set, and separate from Play-Fi Surround for soundbars. As such a soundbar with Play-Fi is not necessary to take advantage of most of the features above (apart from those specifically involving a soundbar).

While there are hundreds of televisions on the market today that support the DTS Play-Fi app for multiroom music and streaming the TV audio to other Play-Fi products or headphones, Play-Fi Home Theater is a newer feature and supported on the following models (including their size, regional, and color variations):

More models and brands are in the works, so stay tuned to the Play-Fi News section for additional announcements, and if you're interested in your model of television receiveing an update for Play-Fi Home Theater, reach out to your manufacturer and let them know.

Setting Up Dish Hoppers / Joeys for DTS Play-Fi

If you're a DISH Network subscriber with a more recent set-top box, you can use the DISH Music app or any DTS Play-Fi to stream from any of our in-app music / radio services.

To do this, no need to push any buttons or wait for flashing lights. Your Hopper or Joey should already be connected to the network, so you'll only have to enable the DISH Music Service option in the Settings. Just use your remote to go to the Menu, select Settings, and then DISH Music. You'll see the screen below:

Simply set DISH Music Service to On, and the set-top box should display in the app now, automatically.

If you've done this before, sometimes the setting will default to Off after an update or after a long enough period of disuse. Simply go back in and enable this again as before. If you still don't see anything, try:

  1. Turning your phone / tablet's Wi-Fi off and then on again
  2. Restarting your phone
  3. Restarting the DISH Hopper / Joey
  4. Restarting the router

You should be streaming audio at this point, but if you're still having issue, feel free to reach out to your DISH representative, or send an e-mail to us

Can I stream a Preset to another speaker or group?

Yes! Once you’ve started a Preset stream, open any Play-Fi app and navigate to the main Play-Fi control screen (the default screen when you launch), and you should see the Preset zone with the content you’re currently streaming.

Here you can manage the volume, pause or play the stream, and even go to the next or previous track where supported.

To add more speakers to this group, simply tap the Add button, and you can bring any other Play-Fi product on your network into the group.

You can also set the Preset to start grouped, by navigating to the Hardware PResets option in setting, and editing the configuration of your select preset on the selected host product.

What can I save using Scenes and Presets?

Scenes

With few exceptions, almost anything you can play from in the app can be saved as a preset in the app. External sources such those from Spotify or from audio inputs on the products themselves cannot be saved, but pretty much any music/radio service and stream from within can be saved for future recall.

Presets

Currently, the Play-Fi services available for saving as presets using hardware butons on Play-Fi products are:

Keep in mind that in order for these to be saved, they must be started using any Play-Fi or Spotify app.

More services are being added all the time, until eventually our entire catalog of service partners is fully supported. We will continue to update this page until that time.

How do I edit a saved Scene or Preset?

Scene

If you want to change anything about a pre-exisiting Scene, without having to resave it, you can do that easily. Simply go to the Scene screen as if you were going to recall it, and tap on the option button in the upper right of the Scene icon (as indicated below). This will open up the Scene Settings screen where you can change every aspect to your liking.

Presets

You can edit a Preset by opening the Settings of the Play-Fi app, and navigating to the Hardware Presets option. Then just tap on the product with the save Preset, and select the PReset you want to edit. The options for editing are muc hthe same as above. Any time you want to totally change the content of the preset, just save over it much like you did the first time.

How do I recall a Scene or Preset?

Scenes

After you’ve saved a scene, tap on the + icon in the Play-Fi Control screen, and select the Scenes tab, as indicated below. Then just tap on one of the icons and it will launch automatically.

Presets

After you’ve saved a preset, simply press and release the desired button on the Play-Fi product, and it will recall the stored station or playlist, regardless of whether or not you have your phone or tablet with you.

How do I save a scene or preset?

Scenes

To save a current play session as a Scene in the DTS Play-Fi app so that it may easily recalled later, just start playback from any source as normal.

Once playing all you have to do is tap the Save Preset button either on the Now Playing or Play-Fi Control screen, which we've indicated in the shots below:

It's now saved. You can can save an unlimited number of different presets to the app, and in various different configurations.

Presets

To save a station or playlist to one of the numerical hardware buttons or indicators on your Play-Fi product so that it may be easily recalled later, simply start streaming to the Play-Fi product with preset buttons from the compatible service of choice, as normal.

Now that it’s playing, simply go over to the Play-Fi product, and press and hold the desired preset button for 5 seconds or until you see a positive light indication on the product.

Your station or playlist is now saved. If there was something else saved to this button previously, it will be overwritten by what is currently playing.

What are Scenes, Recents, and Presets?

Scenes, Recents, and Presets within DTS Play-Fi are different ways that allow you to quickly start up the content you want, with one tap. Certain DTS Play-Fi products have numerical buttons or dials on them, which allow you to save content right to that product as Presets, and we also have a Scenes section in the app that stores not only your content, but also your current speaker configuration, which you program yourself. Recents are the same, but these are automatically saved in the app separately based on whatever you were last doing.

In the app, Scenes looks like the below:

Tapping on one of these or pressing the saved button on the DTS Play-Fi product recalls the preset, and playback and configuration begins automatically.

Once launched, the zone is just like any other DTS Play-Fi zone, and you can edit, control it, etc., to your heart's content. This all means that you can spend less time in the app configuring, and more time enjoying your music.

Known Issues when using Alexa (which we’re working on)

Here's a list of the known issues with our Alexa integration that we're currently in the process of resolving, with details and a general description. If you run into anything that's not listed here, please let us know! We want to make the best product possible, and your feedback will help us get there.

We'll update this page with new information on the issues as we have it, or when the fix is available.

Sometimes complex skills may drop out (like Jeopardy or Chat, etc.)

If you're a daily Jeopardy user, we apologize. What happens is the thread seems to be getting lost in the response chain, and when you answer, it will look like Alexa forgot you were in the middle of a conversation and answer you without context. We're working to have this one sorted by the end of the year.

All Fixed!

Kindle books have big gaps between paragraphs

If you ask Alexa to speak your Kindle books, you will find that she may be taking a little long between paragraphs. We know why this is, and have a fix for it, which should be available in late November / early December.

All Fixed!

Can't start new Audible audio books

If you're starting an Audible title for the first time, our little speaker will get all hung up on the first little "This is Audible" one second intro, usually labelled as "Chapter 0". If the speaker gets into this state, just pull power and wait a few seconds, and plug it back in to restart things, and she'll be good as new. To play the book, use any Audible app to skip past that Chapter 0 intro, and it will play as expected (you can even use Play-Fi to play it in every room). We're looking into this issue, and should have something in late November / early December.

It currently takes about 30 extra seconds to start the book if you've not read it before, but it will start. We're working on improving this.

The light ring will occasionally blink blue, even when it's totally silent, or the microphone is muted

Alexa wasn't mysteriously picking up something at these particular times, so don't worry. What's happening is the system is just refreshing in the background, and the system is blinking to say "All Good!" We realize this can be annoying in certain scenarios, so we've got a fix ready to disable this behavior in this particular circumstance so that it's less intrusive, but when you do actually lose Internet or the connection, it will still notify you of it (when necessary, rather than when idle). This fix should be out in late November / early December.

All Fixed!

Rarely, I'll ask to play something, and nothing will play

For some reason we're not getting the start command after the content is cued from whatever your service is, but if you ask Alexa what is playing, or ask her to resume, she will actually start the track. We're investigating this, and hope to have a fix for most instances by the end of the year.

Alexa should respond and give an appropriate response every time now. If you didn't get the response you were expecting, check the alexa.amazon.com webpage to review the activity in your account to see what Alexa thought. If you feel there was still a discrepancy on our part, let us know via e-mail.

I was playing something for a few hours, and suddenly it's not playing anymore

Similar to the above in the issue and the workaround, but after several hours of playback. If you ask what's playing or ask to resume, she will. Keep in mind, some services like Pandora have a natural time limit built-in as part of the service. We're investigating this, and hope to have a fix for most instances by the end of the year.

You should see Alexa play for at least 8 hours now for any track-based service, per their general playback guidlines. If you see otherwise, let us know via e-mail and we'll continue to strive to address the problem.

Can I use my voice to control a stream started from Play-Fi, Spotify Connect, or AirPlay?

Starting with DTS Play-Fi Software version 4.6.0.000, yes, on compatible Play-Fi products you will be able to do this. Please see our current list of Play-Fi products that Work with Alexa and our page on supported commands for more details

Can I use my voice to start a stream or group on a Play-Fi device that doesn’t have Alexa built in?

As of DTS Play-Fi software version 4.6.0.000, yes, you can start an Alexa stream on an indivdual Play-Fi product or a set that is grouped in a stereo pair. Multi-room groups is not yet supported, but you can still use the app to link the speakers together once the stream is started, and further voice commands will apply to the group.

This is what is known as the Works with Amazon Alexa functionality, which enables you to link your Amazon account to your supported DTS Play-Fi products, and command them from any product that has the Alexa Voice Services platofrm, such as an Amazon Echo or Dot. We're currently rolling this out to the DTS Play-Fi product family at large. See our main page on the subject for more details.

Can I stream an Alexa music service to another Play-Fi speaker or group?

Yes! Once you’ve started an Alexa stream, open the Play-Fi app and navigate to the main Play-Fi control screen (the default screen when you launch), and you should see an Alexa zone with the content you’re currently streaming.

Here you can manage the volume, pause or play the stream, and even go to the next or previous track where supported, which is useful for when you don’t want to or can’t use your voice to talk to Alexa.

To add more speakers to this group, simply tap the Add button, and you can bring any other Play-Fi product on your network into the group, such as the Phorus PS5. Once grouped together, they’ll remain grouped even when changing to a different service in Alexa, up until you switch to a different streaming method, such as Play-Fi or Spotify Connect.

What Voice Commands can I use with a Play-Fi product that Works with Alexa?

Below is a simple list of what sort of commands you can do for a "Works with Alexa" (WwA) product. Keep in mind that these commands are simplified, but Alexa will understand and interpret some natural language, so saying “Stream” instead of “Play”, or “on” instead of “in” is also acceptable, etc., etc. Also, if “in [Zone]” is not listed, it’s optional to say that. Alexa will otherwise figure out what you’re talking about, or ask you if she detects multiple places playing.

 

Initiating Streams (Alexa):

 

Controlling Streams (Alexa or DTS Play-Fi):

 

Special Streaming Service Functions (Alexa, depending on service and stream type):

What music is supported using Alexa?

Currently, you can use Alexa to initiate streams from the following services:

And more coming soon.

While many of these services have crossover with Play-Fi, when a stream is started using Alexa Voice Services, it specifically comes from Amazon’s platform rather than from Play-Fi or any other protocol. Though you can't yet start a DTS Play-Fi stream, you can still use voice commands to control a currently playing product that was started from Play-Fi, Spotify, etc.

In addition to the above, more services are being added all the time. To manage and sign into these services with your Amazon account, use the Alexa app.

How do I change the language or sign out of Amazon on my Play-Fi System?

Apart from the usual methods of doing this through the Alexa app or the Amazon website, your product’s compatible branded Play-Fi app will also provide options to make changes. This can be found under the app’s Settings with the option Amazon Alexa.

Just select the Alexa-enabled product from the list, and you can make the changes you need from this screen.

How do I set up Alexa on my Play-Fi System?

Once you’ve joined your Alexa-enabled Play-Fi product to the network using its branded Play-Fi app, and have gone through all the update procedures, the app should automatically prompt you to link it to your Amazon account, as below. If you don’t see the prompt, or are linking your Amazon account after the fact, you can get to the below screen by going into Settings in the Play-Fi app, and selecting the Amazon Alexa option.

Depending on your location, you may be prompted to select your default language for Alexa. Once ready to proceed, Alexa will prompt you for your Amazon account, but if you’ve already used an Amazon sign-on or authentication on your device before, it should automatically apply the credentials for you.

If you're linking your Amazon account to a Play-Fi products without microphones, you'll have to ask an Echo, Dot, or similar product to "Discover Devices" so that your new product can be identified.

Either way, now you’re all set! Back out or hit the Done button to return to the app as normal, or close it all together and enjoy speaking with Alexa.

In what ways does Play-Fi support Alexa?

There are 2 ways that Play-Fi has or is going to have compatability with Amazon Alexa.

Integration of Alexa Voice Services: 

When we talk about this, we're referring to building into a product full support of Alexa Voice Services (AVS) so that it is an Alexa product like an Echo or Dot, but with the added functionality of DTS Play-Fi, coupled with the specific design and sound signature of the audio brand partner. These products have microphones that are designed to hear you from far away or while music is playing, and will respond to commands for the Alexa voice assisstant, and all of its integrated features and skills, which also includes music playback, etc. These products are available now as below:

"Works with Alexa" or Alexa Connected Speaker:

This particular feature is likely what you've heard a lot about, or what is more common with products integrating with Alexa. This means that you can ask any AVS product such as the above, an Echo or Dot, or even those made by third parties to inititate and control Alexa-based music streams on DTS Play-Fi products that can integrate this functionality.

In the latest version of the DTS Play-Fi application for Android and iOS, the following products work with Alexa:

Products that are not listed above, either will not be receiving support for this due to hardware limitations / partner restrictions, or the products are not on the market at this time. If you don't see your desired product on this list, we encourage you to reach out to your favorite brand for more details or to inform of your interest in this feature.

We'll update this list as we continue to provide software updates, or as we add more partners to the program.

Troubleshooting Play-Fi Surround

If instead of having peformance issues like stuttering or drop-outs, you're having an issue hearing the correct audio or any audio at all from the Surround Left and Right speakers in a Play-Fi Surround configuration, you can run through the following steps to troubleshoot. You should ensure:

  1. That you performed a Surround Sound Set-Up as described here. If you just paired to the speakers in the normal Play-Fi group mode, then this will not enable Play-Fi Surround.
  2. The Play-Fi Surround Master is set to the correct input to capture audio. Refer to your manufacturer for more information on the specific product's input configuration.
  3. The source content you're playing is 5.1 surround. If it's mono or stereo, you may not hear anything from the surround channels.
  4. The source device you're playing from is 5.1 surround capable. Some TVs or devices are not capable of outputting a 5.1 audio signal, even if the content you're playing is.
  5. The digital output is configured to a format the Play-Fi Surround Master supports. Some content types and/or Play-Fi Surround Masters may only support a DTS signal or only a Dolby signal, and if not configured properly, it's possible that no audio may be heard.

Once you've solved for all the above cases, if you still have problems, run a 5.1 call-out track, like those found on DTS demo discs. This will send a discrete audio call-out to each speaker in the Play-Fi Surround configuration, and if all can be heard from the proper position, then everything is fine.

If audio is heard on the Play-Fi Surround Master, but not the Surround Left and/or Right, try:

It's also possible (though mostly unlikely) that the home network enviroment is so crowded that absolutely no audio can get through to the Surround Left and Right speakers, in which case you may want to read our entry on Improving Surround Performance. Don't forget that the Play-Fi Surround configuration should be done in the same room, and moving the Surround Left and Right to a separate room from the Play-Fi Surround Master could also result in unexpected behavior.

Improving Play-Fi Surround Performance

All you need to do to improve your Play-Fi Surround experience if you have dropouts or stuttering is to do one of the following after resetting everything to an out-of-box state (check with your manufacturer to see how this is done):

Either of those will almost certainly eliminate any trouble you're having. If you'd like to know more, read on:

Here's Why

Play-Fi Surround is a very convenient way to enjoy a true 5.1 audio/video experience, and we've built it (with our product partners) to be a robust platform through which you can enjoy endless hours of content without audio stutters or drop-outs. With that in mind, there are external elements that can degrade the experience through what is known as wireless interference.

When Play-Fi Surround is configured, it establishes a direct wireless link between your Play-Fi Surround Master, and one or two other Play-Fi products. This wireless link uses the same connection method the sound bar uses to join your home network, whether that's 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi or 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Essentially, it cuts out the router from the equation to ensure swift and reliable delivery of surround audio, and because the products will be in the same room, it means the signal quality will provide the best data speed and throughput.

Direct Connection

What does all this mean? It means the only thing that will dampen the experience is wireless interference. Currently most wireless interference happens over the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band. You can learn more about all the things that may interfere with your wireless signal here. So if you want to improve your Play-Fi Surround experience, you should connect the Play-Fi Surround Master to 5 GHz or wire it via Ethernet.

5 GHz

Most routers today are dual band, and it's likely yours is too. Some routers are configured to have a different name for the 5 GHz band. This will look like you have two networks when you're looking at the available Wi-Fi broadcasts on your phone or computer. For example, if your network name is "Home", you may see another network named "Home-5", "Home-5G", or something similar. Even though these networks have different names, they actually route everything together, so really it's all just one network. Sometimes the 5 GHz band will have the same name as the 2.4 GHz band. In this case, Play-Fi products will automatically try to connect over 5 GHz if it exists, and if the connection is preferable to 2.4 GHz. You can see how the Play-Fi product is connected in the About screen of the app.

The difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz? 5 GHz is generally faster and has less interference, though it has shorter range. But range doesn't matter in the Play-Fi Surround environment, since all the products are in the same room, so it's pretty much always better to configure over 5 GHz to get rid of interference that can ruin the experience. In some cases it can improve the general Play-Fi multi-room experience as well, but consider your overall environment. Sometimes more range is better. You can read more about the difference between the two bands here.

Ethernet

If you don't have a dual-band router, and don't want to or can't obtain one at this time (we highly recommend getting one as they are better for Wi-Fi in general), then you can wire your Play-Fi sound bar to the router using Ethernet. If the sound bar does not have an Ethernet port, you can get a USB-Ethernet adapter for it, like the one here. Once the sound bar is wired, it will automatically create a 5 GHz link on its own with the surround left and right products during surround setup, since, as we know now, it will almost always be the better choice at this point in time.

Products that Support Play-Fi Surround

There are two elements of product required for Play-Fi Surround. They are the concepts of the Master and its Surrounds. In order to have Play-Fi Surround, you need at least one product that can be the Master, and you need two to act in Surround as Left and Right respectively. Any Play-Fi product can act as Surround Left or Right, but the Master has special requirements, and is limited to select products.

For a Play-Fi product to qualify as a Play-Fi Surround Master, it must:

Play-Fi does not limit this functionality to product type, so as long as the product supports the above, it can be a Play-Fi Surround Master. Speak with your product manufacturer to find out if your Play-Fi product supports the Play-Fi Surround feature, or if one is coming soon, either via an update or hardware revision.

Welcome to the Play-Fi Knowledge Base

If you're looking for the latest help information on DTS Play-Fi, you can find it all on our main page here.

You can also search for topics using the search bar to the right.

Editing Play-Fi Surround Configuration

If you need to make adjustments to your Play-Fi Surround configuration in order to improve your 5.1 surround listening experience, the app can take care of it. No need to reconfigure or run through setup again.

Go back to the Surround Sound option in the Settings menu, and you'll see your already-configured Play-Fi Surround group. Tapping on it will open its Edit page.

At a glance, you'll be able to read the current settings for the Play-Fi Surround configuration, and you'll also be able to adjust the master audio level, which controls the audio output level of the whole group (this can also be done using the physical buttons or remote of the Play-Fi Surround Master).

The Edit buttons for each section will allow you to adjust the distance settings for each product in the group and the relative volume (aka "Trim") of the Surround Left and Surround Right products. If you're playing content through the Play-Fi Surround grouping at the time, changing these settings will take place immediately and won't interrupt playback, so you'll be able to fine tune on the fly.

Removing Play-Fi Surround Configuration

If movie night is done, and you'd like to use the configured Surround Left and Right Play-Fi speakers as regular multi-room products again, then no problem!

Before moving the speakers, go back to the Surround Sound option in Settings. Now you'll see your configured Play-Fi Surround group(s) in the list, and tapping on the Options button to the right of it, will open the Options pop-up.

Selecting Delete will inititate the deletion process. The app handles the whole thing for you. No need to manually set up any speakers again.

After the app gives the all-clear, you're free to use the Play-Fi speakers again or move them to another location in the house, where they will automatically connect to the home network if in range.

Set-Up Play-Fi Surround

Play-Fi supports the ability to set up a 5.1 surround-capable Play-Fi audio piece in a Wireless Surround configuration. We call it: Play-Fi Surround, and setting it up is simple.

After you've connected at least one Play-Fi Surround Master (such as a Play-Fi sound bar, like the Polk Omni SB1+) to your wireless network and your TV, connected at least two Play-Fi products of any kind to your wireless network, and brought the products' firmware and software up to date, simply tap on the Settings icon on the main page of the app, and navigate to the Surround Sound option. This will open the settings page for Play-Fi Surround, and since we haven't set up Play-Fi Surround yet, it will prompt us to do so by tapping on the + button down in the lower right.

Surround Set-Up will begin and the app will preface with some information and instructions. Once you proceed, the app will detect if there are products available on the network that can support Play-Fi Surround, or if there are products that need an update from the manufacturer to enable support.

The guided setup will talk you through picking the speaker for the correct placement and setting the distance (this and other settings can be adjusted later after setup is complete.) This process is the same for all three speaker placements but the Front psotion must be a Play-Fi Surround Master.

After you've picked every position and set the distance, the app will automatically conigure everything as needed wirelessly. This can take about 60 seconds or so, and once completed, the app will notify you.

You're all set! Be sure to set the Play-Fi Surround Master to the desired input source, and then go ahead and play some 5.1 Surround content to test it out. Play-Fi Surround is a true 5.1 surround experience, so if your Play-Fi Surround Master is connected to something that sends a 5.1 audio signal supported by it (this will vary by input and manufacturer), then the connected surround speakers will in fact render discrete Surround Left and Surround Right channels.

If you have any trouble with audio output or performance, please refer to those respectivly linked articles.

How do I use AirPlay with a Play-Fi Product?

Using AirPlay with a Play-Fi product works exactly the same as any other AirPlay speaker. Once the speaker is on your network, any app or operating system that has AirPlay audio output controls will automatically discover the speaker and add it to the list of available AirPlay devices. It'll even have the same name it has in the Play-Fi app. No additional setup required.

Do all Play-Fi products support AirPlay streaming?

AirPlay is an optional feature for our brand partners, so this capability is not available on all Play-Fi products. Please check with your manufacturer to see if AirPlay is included with your model.

I can’t find my speakers in Spotify Connect

For Spotify Premium subscribers, your Play-Fi products should appear when you click on the Connect icon in the Spotify app.  

If the speaker does not appear on the list, try the following:
 

Can I stream Spotify in multiple rooms?

Yes. To do so, you must first create a Spotify Group within the Play-Fi app. Spotify Groups are different from normal Play-Fi groups in that they specifically group speakers together for viewing within the Spotify app. This is so that normal grouping and zoning functions remain modular within the Play-Fi streaming system.

Spotify Create Group

From the Play-Fi Control screen of the Play-Fi app (left), tap the Settings button to open the pop-up menu, and select Spotify Groups, which we’ve circled here. This option allows you to edit or create Spotify Groups. After you've elected to create a new group and given it a name (we called ours "Downstairs" in the example) you can then pick from any of your Play-Fi products to be added to this group (right). Any speakers that can't be joined in a Spotify Group will be greyed out. Once you’re satisfied, head to the Spotify app to start streaming.

Spotify Remote

If you want control the volume of individual Play-Fi products within the Spotify Group after you’ve started your stream, head back to the Play-Fi app, and your Spotify Group will automatically populate a module on the Play-Fi Control screen.

How do I use Spotify Connect?

Spotify is now available on all Play-Fi audio products, but the way it works is different from the other streaming services. Instead of Spotify living in the Play-Fi app, the Play-Fi product itself communicates directly with Spotify. To enable this feature, simply download the latest version of a Play-Fi app, and allow it to update your Play-Fi product.

Once you're all updated and ready to go, open up your Spotify app, start playing something, and then, on the Now Playing screen, press the Spotify Connect button, which we’ve circled below:

Spotify connect button

You'll then be able to see all the Spotify enabled devices on the network, including your Play-Fi products that have been configured as Spotify Groups, wireless stereo pairs, or just individuals.  The selected products are now tied to your Spotify Premium account, and as long as the product can communicate with the Internet, you can play to it from your Spotify app. 

Why is music from the server displayed in alphabetical order?

Some Media Server applications do not send complete metadata (such as album, artist and genre) when queried by a DLNA app like Play-Fi.  Without this information, the app creates an alphabetical list based on information that is available, such as the song tile.  The recommended software solutions avoid this problem, allowing your music to be grouped logically.

Supported Media Servers

The Play-Fi app is capable of recognizing any Media Server or NAS (Network Attached Storage device) that is broadcasting over your home network, so long as it is set up for open access utilizing standard DLNA profile and protocol [Click to learn what DLNA means]  Some DLNA servers that make use of advanced streaming conversion or protection will not be compatible with Play-Fi. 

All of the currently supported Play-Fi file formats can be played from a compatible media server.

Recommended Media Server Software

The Media Server Software we have tested and recommend for use with Play-Fi on a connected Media server are: 

These programs are full featured, robust, stable, and low-impact, and work well with our Play-Fi apps and products.  This list is not exhaustive, and most media server interfaces with good DLNA implementations should work just fine, and those with options to change profiles should be set to the Generic Profile when interacting over Play-Fi.

Required Network Settings to use Play-Fi on your PC

Play-Fi will only work on Wi-Fi networks that are set up as a "Home network" or a "Work network" on your PC, since these provide higher security settings than “Public” Wi-Fi networks. If your PC is connected to a "Public" Wi-Fi network, Play-Fi products will not be detected. 

To check your network's settings go to the desktop, right click the network symbol in the taskbar (usually the lower right corner of the screen), and then click 'Open Network and Sharing Center'.

If the current network is set to "Public" (#1 in the image below) then select the link "Public Network (#2 below) and change the setting to "Home" or "Work".

How do I upgrade to Play-Fi HD?

Head to our store and purchase an upgrade license key. An e-mail with the key will be sent to you immediately, generally within 20 minutes.

You must install the basic Windows software first.  Run the applet, pair to a speaker, and then select the upgrade option.  Copy the code from the email, and then paste, including dashes, into the field.

If you cannot find the e-mail with your license key, please contact support@play-fi.com, and we will resend your key.  If you have any trouble with the upgrade, you can also contact us and we will be happy to help.

What is the difference between Play-Fi and Play-Fi HD?

The standard version of the Play-Fi Windows app:

The premium version of the Windows app, Play-Fi HD:

Both versions are compatible with the full line of Play-Fi Products.

How do I download the Windows App?

You can find the download on this page.

How do playlists work? Can I use playlists from other apps, like iTunes?

For Android, playlists in the Play-Fi app use the standard Android playlist structure, shared by many popular music apps.  Some music apps, like Google Play, use non-standard formats, so those playlists will not be visible in our app.  You can also create new playlists from your stored music content right within the app.

For iOS, the app will display and use existing iTunes playlists. If you can't find your songs, be sure the music is stored on your mobile device and that they're not just stored in the cloud.

Is there a difference between the iOS app and the Android app?

For the most part, the apps are work exactly the same way, although they are styled to fit with the look of each operating system. They have the same multi-room, multi-zone and stereo streaming features, and let you control all your Play-Fi products. Plus, the apps are interoperable, so you can use Play-Fi on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, and Windows with the same set of speakers on the same home network.
There are the few differences between the apps:

Does it matter which Play-Fi App I use?

No.  All Play-Fi apps work interchangeably with all Play-Fi products.  The differences between the apps are mostly in the color schemes, fonts and logos.  Feel free to use the Play-Fi app that you like best.

Advanced: Optimizing your router configuration for Play-Fi ahead of time

Most modern routers are already set up to work really well with streaming products like Play-Fi, but even with current routers, there are some things you can check to make sure you get the best possible Play-Fi experience before setting up your speakers.  

  1. Select the best Wi-Fi channel for your network. 
  2. Enable Quality of Service (QoS) features like Wireless Multimedia Extensions (WMM)
  3. If using advanced DHCP assignments or port-forwarding , allow exceptions for Play-Fi
  4. Double-check to be sure your router is assigning network access and that UPnP and DHCP are enabled.

Use of these configuration features will be covered by your router’s manual or in online support tools, or you can always get in touch with customer support for help.

Putting the speakers into Set-Up mode

To put your Play-Fi product into Wi-Fi setup mode, there's universal method shared across all products involving the Wi-Fi light, and the Wi-Fi setup button. After you've powered up your product, here's what to do:

1. Locate the Wi-Fi light. It can be integrated into the Wi-Fi button, next to the button, or away from the Wi-Fi button on the top, side, or front of the device. On some devices the Wi-Fi is underneath the speaker grill. 

If you're having trouble locating it, refer to your quick start guide or manual for specifics.

 

2. Locate the Wi-Fi button on the the back, top, or front of your device.

It will typically have an indication that it's for setup, but refer to your quick start guide or manual if you need help locating it.

 

3. Hold the Wi-Fi button down for about 10 seconds. While holding, you will hear a single tone at about 5 seconds, and another tone at about 10 seconds, which means you can release the button.

4. After the second tone, the Wi-Fi light will flash momentarily as it prepares for Setup Mode.

 

5. Once the Wi-Fi light starts pulsing slowly, the system is in Setup Mode and can be discovered in a mobile device's Wi-Fi settings and apps that support Wi-Fi setup.

 

Factory Reset

You can also Factory Reset the product to get it into Setup Mode. Factory Reset is different for every product, but will be described in the user manual. Unlink the Setup Mode inititated by the Wi-Fi button, Factory Reset clears all stored system settings and saved data, and returns the product to a complete out-of-box state. This can be useful for troubleshooting, or if you're trying to start fresh.

After you've performed a Factory Reset, all Play-Fi products will restart, and you'll see the Wi-Fi light shut-off, go to a blinking pattern, and eventually return to a slow pulse to indicate Setup mode, just as if you were powering up for the first time.

How do I set up my Play-Fi System?

Setup using an Android or Amazon Kindle

  1. Plug in your Play-Fi device.  If it doesn't power on automatically, press the power button.   After 50 seconds, the Wi-Fi light should be pulsing slowly.  If it is not pulsing, you may need to put the device into setup mode.
  2. If your Play-Fi device does not have its own audio output, you may want to connect it to your AVR or speaker before proceeding with set up.
  3. Download the Play-Fi app from the Google Play Store. For an Amazon Kindle, download from the Amazon App Marketplace.
  4. Before opening the Play-Fi app, go to the Wi-Fi Settings and select the Play-Fi Device from the available networks (as shown below).


     
  5. If your Android phone or tablet complains that an internet connection is not available, it's Ok!  Just be sure to stay connected to the Play-Fi device.


     
  6. Now you can open the Play-Fi app. It will see your new device is connected and ask you to select the Wi-Fi network to connect the device.
  7. The app will ask for the network's password. Double check that the password is entered correctly.  If the incorrect password is sent to the device, then the device will go back into Setup Mode after trying to connect.  If this happens, go back to Step 4 and try again with the correct password.
  8. Once the device is connected, the app will ask to select a name for your new device.
  9. Finally, the app will look for and install updates for the Play-Fi device.  These device updates add a few minutes to the installation time.
  10. Once device updates are complete you can start enjoying your music!

Setup using an iPhone or iPad

  1. Plug in your Play-Fi device.  If it doesn't power on automatically, press the power button.   After 50 seconds, the Wi-Fi light should be pulsing slowly.  If it is not pulsing, you may need to put the device into setup mode.
  2. If your Play-Fi device does not have its own audio output, you may want to connect it to your AVR or speaker before proceeding with set up.
  3. Download the Play-Fi app from the Apple App Store.
  4. Before opening the Play-Fi app, go to the Wi-Fi Settings and select the Play-Fi Device.
  5. If the Play-Fi Device is in the Networks list (as shown in green below), select it, and then open the Play-Fi app.


     
  6. If the Play-Fi Device is in the AirPlay Speaker list (as shown in purple below), select it, and then follow the instructions for Airplay Setup.


     
  7. If you need to enter the network's password, double check that it is entered correctly.  If the incorrect password is sent to the device, then the device will go back into Setup Mode after trying to connect.  If this happens, go back to Step 4 and try again with the correct password.
  8. Upon confirming the settings, the AirPlay Setup or Play-Fi app will connect your device to the Wi-Fi network for you.
  9. If you were using Airplay Setup, open the Play-Fi app.
  10. The Play-Fi app should find your newly connected device.  If the app doesn't, make sure your mobile device is connected to the same network as the device.
  11. The app will install updates on the Play-Fi device.  These updates add a few minutes to the installation time.
  12. Once device updates are complete you can start enjoying your music!

Will Play-Fi work with Wi-Fi range extenders and repeaters?

Yes. To get optimal performance, ensure that the DHCP server is properly configured, and that each extender/repeater is set up as an access point that does not overlap with the Wi-Fi channel.  Information on these settings can be found in the owner’s manual of your router, or their online support tools. You can also contact customer support for guidance.

Can I play a video and hear the audio on my Play-Fi product?

There are a few different answers to this question depending on how you want to watch your video.

With the Play-FI Android, iOS, and Kindle Fire apps, no.  The apps are built to support streaming audio only, and there aren't built-in video services.  

With the Play-Fi Driver for Windows, you can stream any audio at all from the PC to your Play-Fi products, including video content. It also offers a Video mode, which allows you to sync the audio from any video, whether from a movie file or YouTube, to any one Play-Fi product on your network.

Using the Play-Fi enabled Television products, such as those from Philips, you can enjoy a video on your tablet and stream the audio to your speakers with excellent synchronization.

Additionally, making use of the "Stream From" feature, you'll be able capture audio from an input, such as a connected TV via HDMI or optical, and distribute that audio wireleslly to other products.

If your Play-Fi product is AirPlay enabled, you can stream audio from videos to your speakers that way.  For more on AirPlay streaming with your Play-Fi product, click here.

Stream from an audio input

Certain Play-Fi products have the capability to capture audio from one of their on-board audio inputs and then redistribute it through a Play-Fi group. We call this "Stream From", and speakers paired together streaming from another input source are called a "Stream From" Zone.

To initiate a "Stream From" Zone, simply tap on the + button on the Play-Fi Control screen, then pick your compatible product and select the "Stream From" option. The "Stream From" screen will display and list the configuration optiosn for the zone.

After selecting the product, if it has more than one audio input, you'll be able to select which one you'd like as the source. You can also select between the content type, which includes a Music mode that uses DTS Play-Fi's lossless streaming method with a buffer to maintain audio playback integrity, and a TV Audio mode which removes the buffer and makes use of premium DTS codecs to transport across the network at high speeds to maintain synchrnicity with the source content. Lastly, you'll be able to select the additional Play-Fi products to join to the "Stream From" Zone.

The best part is that the app automatically remembers your last configuration, so that you can start streaming quickly the next time.

Once you're ready to go, just tap the Start button, and the app will send all the information over to the host product so that it can configure the zone. Now that everything is up and running, you can close the app or leave the network, and the "Stream From" Zone will continue to run so long as there is content being played on its input.

Products that support this feature are as follows:

Stream Hi-Res Audio (Critical Listening Mode)

Play-Fi will normally play back all files it supports in their native formats and encoding. High resolution files are a special case, and though they are not transcoded, they are down-sampled to CD quality to maintain stream and network performance.

For those who wish to hear high resolution audio as originally intended, Critical Listening mode will enable native rendering of high resolution files up to 24/192, with no down-sampling or network synchronization adjustment. In this way, audio files retain their original audio integrity.

Since the high resolution audio files are not down-sampled in this mode, they will remain exceptionally large. We support all modes over standard Wi-Fi, including Critical Listening, but a wired connection may improve the experience for those with network issues.

Enabling Critical Listening Mode

On the Start screen, tap the Hi-Res toggle above the speaker list. This will change the list to display the Play-Fi products that are compatible with this mode. Most Play-Fi products support Critical Listening, but if you’d like to know more about your product, contact info for your brand may be found on the main Knowledge Base page. While stereo apps, and powered stereo speakers are supported (with full stereo output), wireless stereo pairs are not due to the exclusion of network synchronization adjustments that alter the audio waveform over time.

Select your single product of choice, and then play from your desired source for the truest audio reproduction over Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Stream different content in different rooms (Multi-zone Streaming)

Play-Fi supports streaming different audio to different rooms or zones, not just from multiple apps, but also from a single app on your device.  So, for example, you can send Pandora downstairs for a dinner party, and keep Radio Disney playing upstairs for the kids, all from your own phone or tablet.

To set up a new zone, simply open up the Play-Fi Control screen by pressing the Play-Fi button in the app.  

You will see the currently playing Play-Fi products and what they are playing in a Zone module. To add another Zone, simply press the + icon in the bottom right of the screen.

A new Start screen will be created allowing you to pick you Group or individual Play-Fi product, or even your pre-existing Scenes. Once configured, you can press the Play-Fi button to return to the Play-Fi Control screen, where you can easily manage each Zone.

You can have up to four zones at once, and each zone can include up to 16 speakers.  Each zone does have to play from a different music source or server.

Stereo pair set up

Play-Fi allows you to configure two speakers into a stereo pair by selecting one to play Left channel audio, and the other to play Right channel audio.  Play-Fi will then synchronize the audio into a single stereo stream, wirelessly.

stereo set up

To set this up, press the Play-Fi button to go to the Play-Fi control screen if you’re not already there. Tap on the Settings button to open up the menu, and choose Stereo Setup, which we’ve highlighted in this example. You will then choose a Left speaker, and a Right speaker, and finally, you will give the paired speakers a new shared name, like “Den” or “Polk Stereo” as in this case.  Once paired, the stereo pair will appear as a single speaker in the Play-Fi network, for all users and devices.

Adding speakers and creating speaker groups

At any time when using the Play-Fi app, or from the Play-Fi applet in Windows, if you want to add more speakers, just press the Play-Fi icon.  In the apps, the icon is in the bottom right side of the screen, and in Windows, it appears in as a system icon in the lower bar.  

This will open the Play-Fi Control screen.  

On this screen, you can see the speakers tied to each source and adjust their volume individually or all together. Pressing the Add/Remove button will expand the speaker list to all of those on your network, and allow you to make any changes you like to the current set of active speakers.

 

If you really like this set of speakers, you can make them into a preset Group, so that you can easily select them for playback, or even have them automatically connect when you launch the app. To do this, just select the “Save as Group?” option at the bottom. You’ll give them a name and be all set. If you ever want to make or edit groups outside of playback, just hit the Settings button on the Play-Fi Control screen, and select the Speaker Groups.

Supported Audio Formats and File Quality

Play-Fi streams audio directly from source devices to the speakers, and supports a wide variety of streaming formats and audio quality levels.

Supported File Formats

File Quality

How many Play-Fi products can I have on my network?

Why can’t the app find my music?

If the Play-Fi app is unable to find tracks that you've downloaded to your phone, tablet or a networked media server, check the list of supported file formats first.  If your music is in an unsupported format, it will simply not appear in the library.

If you've confirmed that the missing files should be supported, but you still can't see them:
Android 

For iOS

For Media Servers

Play-Fi App stops suddenly while playing

The majority of the time, this occurs when something else is happening on your smartphone or tablet outside of the Play-Fi app. For instance, the app may crash if:

To avoid further crashes, try plugging in your device and closing or killing other memory-intensive background applications.  Then, restart the app and enjoy the music.

If the app continues to crash after you take these steps with your device, please contact customer support for help.

Play-Fi Devices Lost

If you see this message, it could mean one or more things:

Start by confirming that your router is connecting to other networked devices (like your phone or laptop) and that Wi-Fi is working in your house.  Next, double check that you and your phone (the source of the music) are still in normal Wi-Fi range, and that the speaker is in range, too. Check the speakers for power, and to see the state of the Wi-Fi light.

If everything looks OK, and you’re not sure why you might be having issues, take a look at our Connectivity Issues guide to help walk you through optimizing your network performance.  

You can also contact Customer Support anytime for assistance.

Play-Fi Device Update Failed

A Play-Fi device update can fail because the Wi-Fi connection between the Play-Fi device, Play-Fi app, and router was interrupted, either because of heavy network traffic, an obscured signal, or wireless interference. If the update fails repeatedly (the “Try Again” option doesn’t work after 5 or more attempts), try:

  1. Closing out the Play-Fi app completely (or restart the phone/tablet), and then reopening it to try again.
  2. Unplug the product from power for a few moments, and then plug it back in. Then try updating again.
  3. Moving your Play-Fi product and device near your Wi-Fi router, and try the update again.

If this does not help, you will need to perform a Manual Update. Contact customer support for assistance.

Play-Fi Device Not Discovered After Set-Up

The final step during Play-Fi Set-Up is for the app to search for and find the new products connected to the Wi-Fi network.  If it is unable to find the product at this step, try these items in order until the issue is resolved:  

  1. Double check that your phone or tablet is connected to the same network you used to set up the Play-Fi product.
  2. Close the app, and restart it, and see if it automatically discovers the product.  
  3. Exit the app, and put the product back into Set-Up mode by performing a Factory Reset. Refer to your product's manual to learn how to do this.
  4. Try performing setup again using the option to show the password so that you can verify the entry. 
  5. If this does not work, take a look into the incompatible networks article, and also take look at our recommended routers article.

No Play-Fi Devices Detected

Quick Tips

This page will help you troubleshoot issues with finding speakers previously connected to your network.

Before we begin, double check that your phone / tablet is connected to the same network as the Play-Fi products, and not a separate guest or office network, which could prevent media communication. If everything looks correct, try these steps in order until the products appear in the Play-Fi app:

  1. Turn the Wi-Fi setting of your phone/tablet off and then back on, and try closing and re-opening the app.
  2. Power the Play-Fi product(s) off and then back on.
  3. Reboot your router.

On iOS, there's some extra permissions you'll want to make sure are on in the Play-Fi app under iOS settings, which are Location Access and Local Network Access

And on any phone, tablet, or computer, if you have a VPN for work or other activities, this may also prevent the app from finding products, so disable this for Play-Fi use.


Detailed Troubleshooting

If you still can’t see or access your speakers within the Play-Fi app, or you are setting up a Play-Fi product, check the status of the Wi-Fi light.  Based on what that light is doing, there are several ways to get the speaker up and running again.  If using a Windows PC to stream, see here for some additional steps you can take if these suggestions don’t help.

Wi-Fi Light Solid

A solid Wi-Fi light indicates the Play-Fi product has the network setup information, and is connected to a network. If the product isn’t found in the app, try the following:

  1. Try closing the Play-Fi app and reopening it, or restarting your phone, tablet, PC.
  2. Double-check that your phone, tablet or PC is connected to the same network as the speaker, so they can see each other.
  3. If connected to a guest or office network, consider using a different network that allows media sharing, or contact your network admin to enable media sharing.
  4. If you have multiple access points or switches, be sure broadcast forwarding is enabled, so that the discovery announcements can be seen at any connection point.
  5. Check our Incompatible Router List to see if your model (or similar model) is on the list and what the recommended solution is.
  6. Contact customer support if none of these steps fix the issue.

Wi-Fi Light Blinking

 

Blinking indicates the Play-Fi product has the network setup information, and is attempting to connect but failing. To correct this, try the following:

  1. Move the Play-Fi product closer to the router / access point.
  2. Exit the app, put the Speaker back into Set-Up mode using the Wi-Fi button or a factory reset.
  3. Be sure you are not trying to use an Office or Corporate guest network, which may have advanced login / security methods that product can't support.
  4. Verify that your network is not set to deny unauthorized MAC IDs, or that it has a frequent lease refresh (if you’re not sure what these are, then you can contact customer support).
  5. Be sure the router is not set to Wi-Fi channels outside of your region (if you’re not sure what these are, then you can contact customer support).
  6. Try a Manual Update.
  7. Check our Incompatible Router List to see if your model (or similar model) is on the list and what the recommended solution is.
  8. Contact customer support if none of these steps fix the issue.

Wi-Fi Light Pulsing

 

Pulsing indicates the Play-Fi product is in Set-Up mode.

If the product should already be setup at this point, before running Set-Up again:

  1. Double-check the password you're entering is correct.
  2. Power cycle the Play-Fi product (turn it off and then on again), and see if it automatically rejoins the network once it fully powers up. If it does, consider using a surge protector or UPC when connecting to a power outlet.
  3. Move the Play-Fi product closer to the router / access point.

Run Set-Up again. If the Play-Fi product is still in Set-Up mode:

  1. Be sure you are not trying to use an Office or Corporate guest network.
  2. Check our Incompatible Router List to see if your model (or similar model) is present and if there is a solution.
  3. Contact customer support if none of these steps fix the issue.

Wi-Fi Light Off

No Wi-Fi light indicates the Play-Fi product is no longer attempting to use Wi-Fi. If your Play-Fi product is in this state, try the following:

  1. Check that the Play-Fi product is not connected via Ethernet (The Wi-Fi light is always off if Ethernet is used).
  2. Power cycle the Play-Fi product (turn it off and then on again).
  3. Try a Manual Update.
  4. Contact Customer Support.

Ethernet Cable Connection

If the Play-Fi product is connected via Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, you will not be able to use the Wi-Fi light to diagnose the problem.  In this instance, try each of the following:

  1. Try closing the Play-Fi app and reopening it, or restarting your phone, tablet, or PC and then reopening the app.
  2. Double-check that your phone/tablet/PC is connected to the same network as the speaker. 
  3. Be sure you are not trying to use an Office or Corporate guest network.
  4. If it’s your personal network, be sure that you have broadcast forwarding and media sharing enabled on your router / access point (if you’re not sure what these are, contact customer support).
  5. Check our Incompatible Router List to see if your model (or similar model) is present and if there is a solution.
  6. If using a Windows PC to stream, check the steps in the next section.
  7. Contact customer support if none of these steps fix the issue.

Windows PC

If you lose speakers while using the Play-Fi app for Windows PC, try solving the issue based on the status of the Play-Fi product Wi-Fi light.  If that dos not help, try the following: 

  1. Change your network type from “Public” to “Home” or “Work”.
  2. Enable Network Sharing.
  3. Right click the Play-Fi app shortcut, and elect to run it in Administrator mode.
  4. Ensure DTS Play-Fi is allowed in your Firewall.
  5. Disable any antivirus or security software blocks against DTS Play-Fi.

How to do a Manual Play-Fi Product Update

A manual update is a way of delivering updated software directly to your Play-Fi product using the USB port, rather than wirelessly via the Play-Fi app.  This update software is only for the embedded Play-Fi software of the product. If you need update files for your Brand’s utility software or firmware, then please reach out to your respective brand’s support group. You can find links to the various Play-Fi partners on the main Knowledge Base directory.

You should only use this if you are having trouble with a first time setup or a new over-the-air update. If you are having another issue, please be sure to run through the other troubleshooting steps first, prior to taking this step. If you have any issues with this update, or need a walkthrough, please contact support@play-fi.com.

Certain Phorus PS1 Speakers and Wren V5PFs may need special service or updates prior to performing this operation. If you have one of these products and are having update difficulty, please refer to the Phorus or Wren support pages, respectively.

This is what you’ll need to update:

Here's a link to the update files: Download Here

Open the downloaded "Play-Fi-Update" zip archive and extract the “phorus” and "phorus5" folders to the main directory (root) of the USB flash drive. Do not change the name of those folders or any of the files therein. You don't need to open or unzip any of the additional zip archive files contained in either of those folders. The Play-Fi products will read and open them as they are.

Instructions:

  1. Unplug the Play-Fi product from power
    • If using a Polk Omni S2 Rechargeable, hold the Polk button until the Wi-Fi light on the back turns off (roughly 3 seconds)
  2. Insert the USB flash drive into the back of the unpowered Play-Fi product
  3. Plug the Play-Fi product back into power, which should make the product light up (some also make a startup tone)
    • Definitive Technology products (except for the sound bars): Hold Volume Minus until the product makes a tone and restarts
    • MartinLogan Motion Vision X: Hold Volume Minus and Volume Plus for 5 seconds and the display will indicate Updating
    • MartinLogan Crescendo X: Hold the Mute and Source buttons for 5 seconds, and the front LED will turn Red to indicate Update Mode
  4. After a short period of time you may hear another tone from the speaker, and this indicates the process has started
    • Some Polk and Definitive Technology products don’t make update tones
  5. After about 3-5 minutes or so--and several interspersed tones and restarts--eventually the product's Wi-Fi light will enter a Double-Blink pattern (the WPS pattern), which is distinct from the pulsing or fast blinking patterns
    • Most Play-Fi products (apart from certain Polk and Definitive Technology models) also repeat a tone endlessly every 5 seconds upon completion
  6. Unplug the Play-Fi product from power
    • If using a Polk Omni S2 Rechargeable, hold the Polk button until the Wi-Fi light on the back turns off (roughly 3 seconds)
  7. Remove the USB drive
  8. Plug the Play-Fi product back into power

The product should now return to the network and be updated for full playback and feature support.

Recommended Routers and Network Specifications

Play-Fi is compatible with all routers that are Wi-Fi certified and meet Wi-Fi standards. Uncertified routers may cause problems for your Play-Fi products.  A list of known problematic routers is here.

Recommended Specifications

For the best experience using Play-Fi, you'll want a router that supports:

Play-Fi does not require the above specifications, and can operate on networking components well below these current standards. However, routers that support the above will be able to better manage the media traffic of Play-Fi without interfering with other networking operations, and they will be far less likely to drop Play-Fi transmissions when there is other network traffic.

Examples of Routers that meet these specifications: 

This series of routers has reliable and consistent performance in our internal testing, and they also has have great overall customer reviews. We’ve organized them in a “Good, Better, Best” format:

Router Description Type of Home Where to Buy
ASUS AC68 This router meets the recommended specs, is low-cost, and is superb for providing a quality Play-Fi experience Apartment or Condo Amazon
ASUS AX68 This router exceeds the recommended specs, provides faster speeds and greater ranges, and provides a superior Play-Fi experience 1-2 Story Home or Ranch Home Amazon
 
ASUS AX86 This router greatly exceeds the recommended specs, provides incredible speed and range, has the newest Wi-Fi standard, and provides one of the best Play-Fi experiences. Large, Multistory Home Amazon
 

Incompatible Network Set-Ups

Play-Fi is not compatible with Office or Guest networks

Play-Fi products are built to deliver a wonderful audio listening experience at home, on a personal Wi-Fi network.  Offices and other corporate networks like hotels, airports, and areas with “guest” Wi-Fi networks are almost always set up to disable media streaming products. This is done for security reasons, and to preserve bandwidth.  Regardless of the reason, these environments are not suitable for use of your Play-Fi products.  

If for some reason you do need to use your Play-Fi products in an office environment, work with your IT department or network administrator on set up.


Some Routers and Access Points do not work well with Play-Fi products

Our team is constantly testing for Wi-Fi compatibility.  This table shows a list of Wi-Fi hardware that can cause issues for your Play-Fi products, along with our suggested solutions for the problem.

Make Model Problem Solution
Actiontec GT724WGR
M1000
C1000
PK5000
Your Play-Fi product may not connect to the network, or it may connect, but not be visible to your Play-Fi software.  This is due to the router not assigning an IP address. Use another Wi-Fi access point instead, like one of these recommended options.
Apple AirPort Express, Extreme, and Time Capsule AirPort routers do not always make use of the best network sharing properties, and sometimes don’t handle media streaming the way certified routers do.  This can lead to a poor Play-Fi streaming experience. Use another Wi-Fi access point instead, like one of these recommended options.
Belkin F6D4230-4 V3
F5D7234-4 v4
The Wi-Fi network may fail to forward broadcasts from one device to another. This can cause connection and performance issues for Play-Fi products.  Use another Wi-Fi access point instead, like one of these recommended options.
Linksys E800 This router is not 802.11n certified, and when WMM (an advanced media management mode) is enabled, performance of Play-Fi products can be impaired. Disable WMM, and performance should improve. You will find instructions for how to do this in the router’s user manual or in their online support tools.
Motorola SBG6580 Your Play-Fi product may connect, but the Wi-Fi network may fail to forward broadcasts, making it difficult for your speakers to be discovered and used.   Use another Wi-Fi access point instead, like one of these recommended options.
Netgear WNDR3400
WNDR4200
These routers have an isolation mode.  If this mode is enabled, the router is not forwarding broadcasts between devices. Your Play-Fi product may connect, but it will be difficult for your speakers to be discovered and used.  Disable isolation mode in the router settings, and the Play-Fi devices will now be discoverable You will find instructions on how to disable isolation mode in the router user manual or in their online support tools.
TP-Link TL-WR841N Certain streaming services in your Play-Fi app may not work.   Update the app to the latest version and the issue should be resolved.

If you are experiencing one of the issues listed above, but with a different router model, often the related solution listed here will resolve the problem for you.  You can always contact customer support for help and suggestions on Wi-Fi networking issues.  

For a general performance improvement suggestions, click here.

Connectivity issues and recommended solutions

Sometimes connectivity issues on your Wi-Fi network can cause problems with the performance of Play-Fi products.  These include dropouts, when audio playback is interrupted in one or more rooms during a song, stuttering, when a song has small skips while you are listening to it, and lost connections, where a speaker is completely disconnected from the streaming group.

In most instances, these issues are each caused by your Wi-Fi set up, and can be easily fixed with a simple upgrade to your network.  Not only will your Play-Fi products work better, your overall experience with Wi-Fi at home should improve quite a bit. 

Here are some specific conditions to check for if you are experiencing connectivity issues:

Older routers; crowded network conditions:

We recommend upgrading to a new router/access point, with 802.11n dual band wireless.  The upgrade will improve the performance of all of your streaming activities, not just Play-Fi.  Click here for a list of specifications and routers we recommend.

Large streaming range or difficult streaming environment:

Be sure you have a top quality router, as suggested above.  Plus, we recommend adding one or more additional wireless access points to your network.  This will extend the range and reliability of your Wi-Fi at home.

Building materials that hinder Wi-Fi:

These materials may be interfering with the Wi-Fi signal getting to the speaker, causing dropouts.  Try moving the speaker a few feet away from the area.

Wireless network extenders aren’t working:

We recommend wiring the extended access points to your main router. 

Competing audio products disrupting the network:  

We recommend disconnecting or unplugging it when your Play-Fi products are in use.   Some of these products (like those from Sonos and Samsung) use hubs and network extenders that are not Wi-Fi certified. These products may disrupt normal Wi-Fi traffic even when they are not active. 

If you are curious about why these conditions cause problems for your Wi-Fi performance, click here for more details.  You can also reach out to customer support for help.