I have a Sony 5.1 digital amp (STR DE 495)- not the best but a good enough for what I need.
It has an SPDIF input and plays audio from my Philips DVD player via this connection fine.
I have recently built a HTPC and included a Creative Soundblaster Live 5.1 card, the card has the facility to pass through SPDIF with a digital electrical connection. I have spent weeks (on and off) trying to get the two to talk to one another to no avail. The amp refuses to play anything except for the first 1/2 second of desktop sounds. When a sound is sent from the card to the amp, the amp displays a digital input icon on the displayand then comes up with a either a message stating "44.1 khz" or "unlock". I have tried changing all my settings in the Creative software (spdif passthrogh etc) but nothing seems to work.
The only thing it does do is play the first 1/2 second of sounds from my desktop, before coming up with one of the above error messages. I've checked digital passthrough in the windows sounds settings and this hasn't helped.
I have even considered resorting to buying an amp with an analogue 5.1 inputs (the Sony only has a choice of optical/digital electrical and stereo inputs). It just seems a waste of money if I can get it working right. I've tried the latest drivers and they haven't helped the situation any.
Has anybody got ANY ideas, I'm all out of them?
Full Version: SONY and SPDIF HELP!
Honestly I think it's that your sound card is so old.
I possible, try changing the frequency of the Creative card to something different - like 96K, 48K or 32K.
crease,
can you answer a couple of questions ?
1) how is the card physically connected to your receiver ? (coax or optical) (optical would require another piece of hardware on the Live 5.1 cards, usually included with the "platinum edition")... and i'll have to go and check my old Live 5.1 as it may not have a digital output at all... and absolutely require the digital output card. (actually I may have one to sell/give you if this turns out to be the problem...)
2) in the creative software (Creative AudioHQ > device controls) you have apparently set the decoder to "pass-thru", what are your settings in the "sampling rate" tab ? These must match the sampling rate of the receiver. The indication from your receiver seems like it is in a 44.1kHz sampling mode... you may need to change this on the receiver side if it does not automatically sense the incoming signal. Also check your receiver documentation to find out what sampling rates it accepts (generally found in the section of the manual about digital connections). You may have already been down this road, but it wasn't exactly clear by your message.
cheers,
gs
can you answer a couple of questions ?
1) how is the card physically connected to your receiver ? (coax or optical) (optical would require another piece of hardware on the Live 5.1 cards, usually included with the "platinum edition")... and i'll have to go and check my old Live 5.1 as it may not have a digital output at all... and absolutely require the digital output card. (actually I may have one to sell/give you if this turns out to be the problem...)
2) in the creative software (Creative AudioHQ > device controls) you have apparently set the decoder to "pass-thru", what are your settings in the "sampling rate" tab ? These must match the sampling rate of the receiver. The indication from your receiver seems like it is in a 44.1kHz sampling mode... you may need to change this on the receiver side if it does not automatically sense the incoming signal. Also check your receiver documentation to find out what sampling rates it accepts (generally found in the section of the manual about digital connections). You may have already been down this road, but it wasn't exactly clear by your message.
cheers,
gs
QUOTE (my crease @ Apr 17 2006, 03:54 PM) 
I have a Sony 5.1 digital amp (STR DE 495)- not the best but a good enough for what I need.
It has an SPDIF input and plays audio from my Philips DVD player via this connection fine.
I have recently built a HTPC and included a Creative Soundblaster Live 5.1 card, the card has the facility to pass through SPDIF with a digital electrical connection. I have spent weeks (on and off) trying to get the two to talk to one another to no avail. The amp refuses to play anything except for the first 1/2 second of desktop sounds. When a sound is sent from the card to the amp, the amp displays a digital input icon on the displayand then comes up with a either a message stating "44.1 khz" or "unlock". I have tried changing all my settings in the Creative software (spdif passthrogh etc) but nothing seems to work.
The only thing it does do is play the first 1/2 second of sounds from my desktop, before coming up with one of the above error messages. I've checked digital passthrough in the windows sounds settings and this hasn't helped.
I have even considered resorting to buying an amp with an analogue 5.1 inputs (the Sony only has a choice of optical/digital electrical and stereo inputs). It just seems a waste of money if I can get it working right. I've tried the latest drivers and they haven't helped the situation any.
Has anybody got ANY ideas, I'm all out of them?
It has an SPDIF input and plays audio from my Philips DVD player via this connection fine.
I have recently built a HTPC and included a Creative Soundblaster Live 5.1 card, the card has the facility to pass through SPDIF with a digital electrical connection. I have spent weeks (on and off) trying to get the two to talk to one another to no avail. The amp refuses to play anything except for the first 1/2 second of desktop sounds. When a sound is sent from the card to the amp, the amp displays a digital input icon on the displayand then comes up with a either a message stating "44.1 khz" or "unlock". I have tried changing all my settings in the Creative software (spdif passthrogh etc) but nothing seems to work.
The only thing it does do is play the first 1/2 second of sounds from my desktop, before coming up with one of the above error messages. I've checked digital passthrough in the windows sounds settings and this hasn't helped.
I have even considered resorting to buying an amp with an analogue 5.1 inputs (the Sony only has a choice of optical/digital electrical and stereo inputs). It just seems a waste of money if I can get it working right. I've tried the latest drivers and they haven't helped the situation any.
Has anybody got ANY ideas, I'm all out of them?
The Sony SPDIF connection wants its input at 48K not 44.1. go into your properties for your digital output and change it to 48k. Then it should work fine. I had a similar issue with mine. You may also have to make sure that your have switched over the input to coaxial setting. Mine hates the auto switch. But if I switch it manually it works fine. Make sure your speaker configuration is set to 2 speakers in windows as well. Let the REC sort the signal out.
PS. I have this card on my HTPC and it does work. So its probably just a settings issue.
SJ
I had same issue with intel on board soundmax chip.
with the help of SJ, I was able toresolve it last week.
you have to match the sampling rate on both side and speaker configuration on PC.
good luck.
with the help of SJ, I was able toresolve it last week.
you have to match the sampling rate on both side and speaker configuration on PC.
good luck.
It sounds like you have a software issue with your HTPC. It is most likely the fault of your SoundBlaster Live! card(I've had nothing but problems with these cards for Digital Surround). In my case I tried 3 different SBLive cards and ALL required different driver sets(even though they were labeled the same product). It turns out that each Family(5.1 Live!, Live! Value, etc.) have MANY models AND driver packages, and I'm strictly speaking of XP drivers. My SBLive! issues were solved(until I replace the card with a high quality card) by hunting down an OLD DRIVER(the one included with Windows XP resulted in dropped audio periodically and the one from the Creative website lead to poor clocking variable video rates and video stutters). Also, make sure you have the "Digital Output Only" box checked in your SBLive settings. I also have a Sony receiver(STRDE1075) and it doesn't care if the digital input is 44.1khz or 48khz.
I just realized you are probably hooking your HTPC up via S/PDIF COAXIAL versus OPTICAL... this is a HORRIBLE thing to do because the SBLive! cards output much too high a voltage from their coaxial connectors(they were designed for Creatives own speakers and NOT standard S/PDIF inputs). I modified an optical output module from a mother board(one of those ones designed to connect to the board and then sit in an expansion card bracket on the back of the computer) and connected it to the expansion pins on PCB of the SBLive in order to achieve electrical isolation between the machines. You could also use an external coaxial to optical conversion box.
If all of this sounds like too much, do the best thing and replace that SB card with something better. Entry level recording cards are a good choice because most have S/PDIF and MUCH more stable timing clocks(this makes video run more smoothly). Hope this helps.
I just realized you are probably hooking your HTPC up via S/PDIF COAXIAL versus OPTICAL... this is a HORRIBLE thing to do because the SBLive! cards output much too high a voltage from their coaxial connectors(they were designed for Creatives own speakers and NOT standard S/PDIF inputs). I modified an optical output module from a mother board(one of those ones designed to connect to the board and then sit in an expansion card bracket on the back of the computer) and connected it to the expansion pins on PCB of the SBLive in order to achieve electrical isolation between the machines. You could also use an external coaxial to optical conversion box.
If all of this sounds like too much, do the best thing and replace that SB card with something better. Entry level recording cards are a good choice because most have S/PDIF and MUCH more stable timing clocks(this makes video run more smoothly). Hope this helps.
QUOTE (Loki669 @ Apr 18 2006, 12:55 AM)
It sounds like you have a software issue with your HTPC. It is most likely the fault of your SoundBlaster Live! card(I've had nothing but problems with these cards for Digital Surround). In my case I tried 3 different SBLive cards and ALL required different driver sets(even though they were labeled the same product). It turns out that each Family(5.1 Live!, Live! Value, etc.) have MANY models AND driver packages, and I'm strictly speaking of XP drivers. My SBLive! issues were solved(until I replace the card with a high quality card) by hunting down an OLD DRIVER(the one included with Windows XP resulted in dropped audio periodically and the one from the Creative website lead to poor clocking variable video rates and video stutters). Also, make sure you have the "Digital Output Only" box checked in your SBLive settings. I also have a Sony receiver(STRDE1075) and it doesn't care if the digital input is 44.1khz or 48khz.
I just realized you are probably hooking your HTPC up via S/PDIF COAXIAL versus OPTICAL... this is a HORRIBLE thing to do because the SBLive! cards output much too high a voltage from their coaxial connectors(they were designed for Creatives own speakers and NOT standard S/PDIF inputs). I modified an optical output module from a mother board(one of those ones designed to connect to the board and then sit in an expansion card bracket on the back of the computer) and connected it to the expansion pins on PCB of the SBLive in order to achieve electrical isolation between the machines. You could also use an external coaxial to optical conversion box.
If all of this sounds like too much, do the best thing and replace that SB card with something better. Entry level recording cards are a good choice because most have S/PDIF and MUCH more stable timing clocks(this makes video run more smoothly). Hope this helps.
I just realized you are probably hooking your HTPC up via S/PDIF COAXIAL versus OPTICAL... this is a HORRIBLE thing to do because the SBLive! cards output much too high a voltage from their coaxial connectors(they were designed for Creatives own speakers and NOT standard S/PDIF inputs). I modified an optical output module from a mother board(one of those ones designed to connect to the board and then sit in an expansion card bracket on the back of the computer) and connected it to the expansion pins on PCB of the SBLive in order to achieve electrical isolation between the machines. You could also use an external coaxial to optical conversion box.
If all of this sounds like too much, do the best thing and replace that SB card with something better. Entry level recording cards are a good choice because most have S/PDIF and MUCH more stable timing clocks(this makes video run more smoothly). Hope this helps.
I think Loki is right on most counts. SoundBlaster has always flew in the face of standards and they have had several problems in the past. One card that is making a lot of HTPC enthusiasts happy is this little card. Its inexpensive and a favorite among HTPC users. The drivers are economical as far as CPU usage and it has an optical output. I checked my SONY manual and it has auto setings for incoming audio signal. Perhaps yours does not?
SJ
Thankyou everyone for your input. I have been on holiday last week and so I have not managed to try it out. I bought a chapo 5.1 trust card before I went away. It came with an optical output but the secondary expansion plate wouldn't fit (pci issues cards in the wrong place etc) it wouldn't fit iin my htpc. I hope to try the sample rate adjustment fix this week, and failing that, I might try the optical/coax conversion or swapping the trust card in and moving the video card.
. Thanks again everyone for your help, this forum has to be the friendliest one I have ever visited!!!!
Thanks again and I'll post an update as soon as I try it....
. Thanks again everyone for your help, this forum has to be the friendliest one I have ever visited!!!!
Thanks again and I'll post an update as soon as I try it....
Unfortunately, this forum cannot be held responsible for the actions of the terminally stupid......ie ME.
It seems that he reason my amp was not recognising the spdif signal was that I failed to plug it in in the little hole marked "digital out", instead I had put it in one of the black surround output plugs. I amaze myself sometimes just how thick I can actually be and remember to breathe.
The amp works fine and detects a 48khz stream from the htpc.
HOWEVER!! When I play a dvd it only outputs a stereo spdif signal when I am playing 5.1 soundtracks (dvd, WMV hd, DTS all the same). It outputs full stereo including a voice soundtrack, so I am assuming it is playing in 2.1 rather than only playing the left and right channels of a 5.1 soundtrack. I have showshifter installed, which includes nvidia dvd codecs, I then tried installing AC3 filter to no avail and finally I have downloded and installed windvd7, (uninstalling AC3 filter prior toinstalling windvd). As per intefvideo's website this is not crippleware. It is allegedly the full version of windvd and is only time limited, so I assumed it would have 5.1 passthrough functionality.
SO,
1. Is anyone still willing to talk to me after disclosing such an inane mistake?
2. If so, what else can I so to get glorious 5.1, or do I go back to analogue stereo from my htpc and my £19.99 ASDA DVD player with its spdif output?
It seems that he reason my amp was not recognising the spdif signal was that I failed to plug it in in the little hole marked "digital out", instead I had put it in one of the black surround output plugs. I amaze myself sometimes just how thick I can actually be and remember to breathe.
The amp works fine and detects a 48khz stream from the htpc.
HOWEVER!! When I play a dvd it only outputs a stereo spdif signal when I am playing 5.1 soundtracks (dvd, WMV hd, DTS all the same). It outputs full stereo including a voice soundtrack, so I am assuming it is playing in 2.1 rather than only playing the left and right channels of a 5.1 soundtrack. I have showshifter installed, which includes nvidia dvd codecs, I then tried installing AC3 filter to no avail and finally I have downloded and installed windvd7, (uninstalling AC3 filter prior toinstalling windvd). As per intefvideo's website this is not crippleware. It is allegedly the full version of windvd and is only time limited, so I assumed it would have 5.1 passthrough functionality.
SO,
1. Is anyone still willing to talk to me after disclosing such an inane mistake?
2. If so, what else can I so to get glorious 5.1, or do I go back to analogue stereo from my htpc and my £19.99 ASDA DVD player with its spdif output?
QUOTE (my crease @ May 3 2006, 03:33 PM)
Unfortunately, this forum cannot be held responsible for the actions of the terminally stupid......ie ME.
It seems that he reason my amp was not recognising the spdif signal was that I failed to plug it in in the little hole marked "digital out", instead I had put it in one of the black surround output plugs. I amaze myself sometimes just how thick I can actually be and remember to breathe.
The amp works fine and detects a 48khz stream from the htpc.
HOWEVER!! When I play a dvd it only outputs a stereo spdif signal when I am playing 5.1 soundtracks (dvd, WMV hd, DTS all the same). It outputs full stereo including a voice soundtrack, so I am assuming it is playing in 2.1 rather than only playing the left and right channels of a 5.1 soundtrack. I have showshifter installed, which includes nvidia dvd codecs, I then tried installing AC3 filter to no avail and finally I have downloded and installed windvd7, (uninstalling AC3 filter prior toinstalling windvd). As per intefvideo's website this is not crippleware. It is allegedly the full version of windvd and is only time limited, so I assumed it would have 5.1 passthrough functionality.
SO,
1. Is anyone still willing to talk to me after disclosing such an inane mistake?
2. If so, what else can I so to get glorious 5.1, or do I go back to analogue stereo from my htpc and my £19.99 ASDA DVD player with its spdif output?
It seems that he reason my amp was not recognising the spdif signal was that I failed to plug it in in the little hole marked "digital out", instead I had put it in one of the black surround output plugs. I amaze myself sometimes just how thick I can actually be and remember to breathe.
The amp works fine and detects a 48khz stream from the htpc.
HOWEVER!! When I play a dvd it only outputs a stereo spdif signal when I am playing 5.1 soundtracks (dvd, WMV hd, DTS all the same). It outputs full stereo including a voice soundtrack, so I am assuming it is playing in 2.1 rather than only playing the left and right channels of a 5.1 soundtrack. I have showshifter installed, which includes nvidia dvd codecs, I then tried installing AC3 filter to no avail and finally I have downloded and installed windvd7, (uninstalling AC3 filter prior toinstalling windvd). As per intefvideo's website this is not crippleware. It is allegedly the full version of windvd and is only time limited, so I assumed it would have 5.1 passthrough functionality.
SO,
1. Is anyone still willing to talk to me after disclosing such an inane mistake?
2. If so, what else can I so to get glorious 5.1, or do I go back to analogue stereo from my htpc and my £19.99 ASDA DVD player with its spdif output?
Try going into your properties and setting your output to Desktop Stereo Speakers, then check digital output only box. Let the receiver try to decode the signal. My card I have to use the "Normal Surrond Sound" setting, but it comes through pretty well. Im still looking at an optical card.
SJ
be sure to check what SJ suggested, you want your receiver doing the decoding.
I asked before, but the answer is not clear. How are you physically connecting the sound card to your receiver ?
take a look at the attached pic... the connection I make with the SB digital out port is using a mono 1/8" mini-plug to RCA adapter, and a regular RCA cable (the gold one shown on the top). I've tried using the stereo 1/8" mini-plug to RCA adapter, but this will not output 5.1 sound, I need to use the 1/8" mono one for 5.1, 6.1, etc... to work properly... I don't know why, never bothered to figure it out...
Click to view attachment
Just my 2 cents.
cheers,
gs
I asked before, but the answer is not clear. How are you physically connecting the sound card to your receiver ?
take a look at the attached pic... the connection I make with the SB digital out port is using a mono 1/8" mini-plug to RCA adapter, and a regular RCA cable (the gold one shown on the top). I've tried using the stereo 1/8" mini-plug to RCA adapter, but this will not output 5.1 sound, I need to use the 1/8" mono one for 5.1, 6.1, etc... to work properly... I don't know why, never bothered to figure it out...
Click to view attachment
Just my 2 cents.
cheers,
gs
Well I'm using a mono rca adapter and have now managed to the computer to output the dolby digital stream. I now have 5.1 surround!!!! However i still don't get 5.1 suround when playing non-dvd type media ie WMV hd only plays the front two channels through the left nad right speakers, I get no centre channel. The only I have been able to correct this is to alter the settings in DVD to downmix to two channel stereo, which of defeats the object of 5.1. I can play ripped vob files off my hard dick with 5.1 digital and dts but anything else it doesn't seem to like very much.
It was all so much easier witha pair of beige tinny things that hummed and crackled when you started your pc!
It was all so much easier witha pair of beige tinny things that hummed and crackled when you started your pc!
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