How do I configure 5.1 surround on s3480a?

[JimT]

Hello,

I am unable to configure 5.1 sound options on my s3480a - i have the (COAX) digital spdif connected from PC to 5.1 surround sound reciever but all I can get is 2 channel stereo only.  Do I need to install a drvier or some 3rd party software plug-in to Windows Media Player in order to use 5.1? What's the deal?

thanks in advance...

[JimT]

i should also add that i do not see in the speaker configuration 5.1 option, just stereo...

For example here is a link in showing how to configure 5.1 speaker configuration, but i don't see any 5.1 speaker configuration.  Also when I choose the SPDIF the speaker configuration is disabled (greyed out)...

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/e4eb55ef-84ea-4172-91cf-7401d607cffe1033.mspx

In this article, the last statement mentions the following note:

Note - Your sound card determines which options you see in Sound in Control Panel.

So I suspect the driver is not enabling all the features of the sound card, how can I request that the driver be fixed to enable its full capabilities as per the specification sheet on the s3480a?

Sound/Audio

High Definition 6-channel audio

• ALC 888S chipset

Message Edited by JimT on 02-23-2009 11:03 PM

Message Edited by JimT on 02-23-2009 11:03 PM

[c0rnel]

If this is Vista, then on the botoom right of your screen next to your clock, there's a white speaker icon. Right-click on it, click Playback Devices, make sure Realtek High Definition Audio is selected with the green check mark (if it's not right-click on it and choose "set of default device") and then right click on it go to Configure Speakers, and choose the appropriate option.

This is the way it should be done as far as I know.

[RasterBlaster]

JimT,

Have you already gone into the Audio Properties (from Control Panel) selected SPDIF as the default playback device? If you do, from the same window you should be able to select Properties and then click the Advanced tab (for SPDIF properties). On the Advanced tab you should see many speaker configurations - 5.1 should be in the list. If not, update your HD Codec from realtek.tw.

[JimT]

Ok thanks - I just tried r216 driver version and do see a slight difference from what i had and that was r207.  But still I see for the SPDIF out - the configure speaker is still greyed out, and for the hdmi it is enabled but still only see the 2 speaker stereo option and no 5.1....

SPDIF Screenshot...

And for the HDMI, you see here only stereo is available...

[RasterBlaster]

Make SPDIF the default device, select Properties, click the Advanced tab, what default formats are there? Select the one you want if it is available.

Also should check out what is listed on the supported formats tab. I would think that only Dolby Digital would need to be selected - but you should probably match it to what your receiver requires (including the Hz).

Message Edited by RasterBlaster on 02-24-2009 03:29 PM

[JimT]

ok here is the advanced tab - i have a sony dg510 can support max 96000Hz which is selected.

Here are the supported formats

But most interesting is after installing the updated realtek driver from their web site, the hidefinition driver used now is Microsoft's!!!!!  It wasn't like this before...

[JimT]

ok i just tried re-installing r216 again (typo in my previous post) and this time the driver installed properly and do see the realtek driver is now driving the sound card - but still only get stereo and no other option to configure speakers for 5.1

[JimT]

ok! I think I have made some progress although I still am unable to configure the speakers....

If i test the realtek digital output device (connected to the orange RCA COAX on the back of the unit), and test the Digital Dolby option from the Supported Formats, the receiver then sends test to all 6 speakers (5.1), the console on the receiver displays all 6 speakers active and displays scrolling text "DIGITAL DOLBY 3/2.1"...

So now, how do I configure Windows Media Player to play movies and music in 5.1?

And still why can't I choose to configure the speaker options, why is it greyed out?

[JimT]

ok so now i search for plug-ins in the hope that I am able to choose the type of sound format to produce or to some how configure WMP to play in 5.1.   I search the plug-in downloads and find something that may help from SRS Labs, has a 14 day trial period fully functional.

So i download it and install it - there was some red cross through my 5.1 sound in one of its detection tools it ran with some mention that could be resolved by pressing some resolve tool, but didn't resolve anything.

So I proceed and finish the install and load up some Music.  When I try to configure SRS to use 5.1 surround I get this error message/warning displayed...

So I suspect the driver still is not doing its thing and simply will not allow 5.1, only somehow in the test on digital dolby it runs in 5.1......