5.1 Surround Sound from PC

df13 · May 21, 2014

Hello,

I am looking for a solution to my PC audio problem. I have a custom-built HTPC running Windows 7 x64 and I'm trying to get 5.1 surround sound from it. My current setup is:
PC --> HDMI --> TV --> TV Digital Out --> AV Receiver
As of right now, I'm only getting Stereo sound from my PC. I'm trying to get 5.1 surround sound for movies that I have on XBMC. I have included some pictures to see if that can help. I don't really need it for gaming, but my main priority is 5.1 movies. On my LG TV, I have 3 options for Digital Sound Out: Auto, PCM, Mixed Dolby Digital. It is currently setup under Mixed Dolby Digital, but on my PC it still shows only 2 channels. It is also worth mentioning that my AV Receiver does not have HDMI in because it is a couple years old, but it does have digital in. If anyone could help me out, it would really be appreciated. Thanks!

Photos:

thee_prisoner · May 22, 2014

Just because it saves time in the long run, please post specs/links to all the products you're using, the computer, TV, AVR and etc.

Ok, I'm guessing your TV can't handle the digital sound information, which is common. The only way around that problem(or another TV) is not to go from PC> TV but to an AVR or surround processor that has HDMI in, then to the TV.

OF course your AVR doesn't have HDMI, so the next best option if you want true discreet 5.1 surround is go analog if your sound chip on your mobo has it and the AVR has it. Only analog, HDMI and Display port can send true/discrete channels. I'm guessing the AVR doesn't have the required 5.1 analog inputs, most cheap or newer AVRs don't.

The next option is going SPDIF(optical) from mobo (if it has the connection) to AVR and then TV. The problem with SPDIF is that it can only do discrete/true 2.1 all other digital channels only send compressed digital information, which is ok for gaming but not good movies or music recorded for 5.1 or above. You could buy a sound card to get an optical output but it won't be really doing much except for just a pass through to the AVR. Like this sound card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102023 Just notice that this sound card and others are just a pass through for SPDIF, some will only send 2.0 but this sends 7.1 but it's still limited because of it being SPDIF.

In closing, if you want to use HDMI and want true/discrete is to buy a new/used AVR or surround sound processor pre amp.

Be seeing you, the Prisoner...

Edit: Even though this probably fix your problem with EDID and ect, still an interesting read. http://www.avsforum.com/t/1227161/edid-overrides-to-solve-bitstreaming-issues-for-ati-5xxxs

df13 · May 23, 2014

thee_prisoner :

Just because it saves time in the long run, please post specs/links to all the products you're using, the computer, TV, AVR and etc.

Ok, I'm guessing your TV can't handle the digital sound information, which is common. The only way around that problem(or another TV) is not to go from PC> TV but to an AVR or surround processor that has HDMI in, then to the TV.

OF course your AVR doesn't have HDMI, so the next best option if you want true discreet 5.1 surround is go analog if your sound chip on your mobo has it and the AVR has it. Only analog, HDMI and Display port can send true/discrete channels. I'm guessing the AVR doesn't have the required 5.1 analog inputs, most cheap or newer AVRs don't.

The next option is going SPDIF(optical) from mobo (if it has the connection) to AVR and then TV. The problem with SPDIF is that it can only do discrete/true 2.1 all other digital channels only send compressed digital information, which is ok for gaming but not good movies or music recorded for 5.1 or above. You could buy a sound card to get an optical output but it won't be really doing much except for just a pass through to the AVR. Like this sound card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102023 Just notice that this sound card and others are just a pass through for SPDIF, some will only send 2.0 but this sends 7.1 but it's still limited because of it being SPDIF.

In closing, if you want to use HDMI and want true/discrete is to buy a new/used AVR or surround sound processor pre amp.

Be seeing you, the Prisoner...

Edit: Even though this probably fix your problem with EDID and ect, still an interesting read. http://www.avsforum.com/t/1227161/edid-overrides-to-solve-bitstreaming-issues-for-ati-5xxxs

Thank you for the reply. I think I am going to purchase a new AVR, seeing as that would be the easiest. Thanks again for your help!

iam2thecrowe · May 23, 2014

df13 :

thee_prisoner :

Thank you for the reply. I think I am going to purchase a new AVR, seeing as that would be the easiest. Thanks again for your help!

you could buy something like a sound blaster Z that converts any discrete audio in games or movies on the fly back to digital signal for your receiver to decode.
http

/au.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-z
That would be cheaper. Just run an optical or coax digital cable from it to your receiver and your set.

df13 · May 24, 2014

iam2thecrowe :

df13 :

you could buy something like a sound blaster Z that converts any discrete audio in games or movies on the fly back to digital signal for your receiver to decode.
http

/au.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-z
That would be cheaper. Just run an optical or coax digital cable from it to your receiver and your set.

Oh that's nice. I'll think about it..Thanks!

thee_prisoner · May 25, 2014

I think you might be better off with the receiver you listed just because it won't be much more money then the Creative Z card(which has very good, drivers, software and mic are top notch). S/PDIF has it's limits like stated above.

Games don't use discrete sound, they can't or the audio files would be huge. Movies can use discrete audio because the sound effects/dialogue is always the same since you're not moving through an ever changing environment, like a PC game. What games do is send audio clues that are programmed into the game. Creative works a lot with gaming companies to help with these audio clues.

Be seeing you, the Prisoner...

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