HDMI sound issue from newer Blu-Ray's [ Edited ]

[nodakjoe]

Whenever I play a newer blu-ray disc with the Mediasmart DVD application, I only get sound through my laptop speakers even though my tv is plugged into the HDMI port and I can tell that the port is the current output device by holding the mouse cursor over the sound icon on the taskbar.  I've updated the Mediasmart program and sound driver as much as I could.  If I play an older blu-ray or a DVD the sound comes out of the TV just fine.  Also, any other application that uses sound works just fine also.

I did try HP's suggestion in  FAQ where they tell me to  set the "SPDIF (Digital out via HP dock)" as the default device in the windows sound control panel.  But I don't get any sound for any application doing that.  I did notice that the SPDIF device uses the IDT High definition audio codec which is the only sound driver that I can update.  The NVIDIA HDMI output device thats located under it in the control panel uses the  NVIDIA High Definition audio instead and I'm not sure how to update that if needed.  Any suggestions?

Btw, I'm using an HP HDX 16 laptop with Vista home premium 64 bit.

Message Edited by nodakjoe on 08-24-2009 10:34 PM

Message Edited by nodakjoe on 08-24-2009 10:35 PM

[hd1 · Accepted solution]

I was having the same problem.  Here's what worked for me:

Remove the blueray disc from the player.

Reboot the laptop.

Turn on the TV and select it's HDMI input.

Connect the HDMI cable from the TV to the laptop.

The display should transfer to the TV (laptop goes black)

Open the Mediasmart player.

Select DVD

Open "Settings" (the gear symbol)

Click "Audio" tab

Select "HDMI passthrough" and apply.

NOW, put the blueray disc into the  drive.

Give it some time to start on it's own.

(Note; If you try to adjust the "settings" with a disc in the drive, or without having the HDMI cable attached, the "HDMI passthrough" will not be shown as an option.)

Now that I follow this procedure, I haven't had any further trouble. The TV plays the audio, not the laptop, and I can use my home theater sound system by taking the "audio out" from the TV and inputting it into my decoder (and turn the TV volume all the way down).

I hope this helps. I was pulling out my hair till I discovered this. Let us know if it works for you.

Message Edited by hd1 on 08-25-2009 09:39 AM

[nodakjoe]

Thanks! It works now!

[fabian_atl]

I did everything you said but when I insert the bluray the "HDMI passthrough" goes back to analog.  My computer is a DV7 with a ATI radeon.  Any ideas please!

[ArizonaTraveler]

I have a similar problem with DV7-1264NR.  Previously, I needed to use QuickPlay to view a Blu-Ray disc with HDMI out to my television.  I haven't tried watching a Blu-Ray title for about 8 months since the audio would only come out of the TV speakers, which are pretty lousy.

My old A/V receiver recently died, so I now have an Onkyo receiver that has all the HDMI inputs I need, including an auxillary HDMI input on the front panel (very handy) and HDMI out to the TV.  All my other audio and video sources work perfectly with the new receiver, except the laptop Blu-Ray player.

I can get HD picture, but only simulated surround sound playing the BD title with QuickPlay.  When I saw that there was an update for MediaSmart that supposedly addresses Blu-Ray playback, I installed it, but had to remove QuickPlay 3.7 to do so.  All I got with MediaSmart was a green screen on the TV and sound out of the laptop speakers.  I tried the HDMI PCM and HDMI Passthrough settings, but neither makes a difference.

Does anyone know if the IDT audio hardware and codecs can output true Dolby 5.1 surround through HDMI?  I can play standard DVDs through MediaSmart and get realy Dolby 5.1 surround, but not with Blu-Ray or using QuickPlay.  It's odd that the previous version of QuickPlay (3.2 I think) had settings for choosing Dolby 5.1 surround, but the 3.7 version has no obvious way to change any settings.  I've done what I can with the IDT settings for HDMI output, that isn't solving the problem either.

-ArizonaTraveler

[buyakabond]

I am having the same issue as OP, but that solution hasn't helped out unfortunately.  I'm using a pavilion dv7 notebook with 64 bit windows vista. 

When I change the sound from analog to hdmi-pass through the laptop starts playing the disc for a couple seconds than just hangs and I have to exit the player. (Im using HP mediasmart)

Any other input would be a big help since i bought this laptop mainly for a blue ray player!!

Message Edited by buyakabond on 11-08-2009 09:26 PM

[CoMiGa]

I have the same exact problem as buyakabond. I have spoken to HP support about the problem and they suggested it was a Windows 7 issue. I used the Windows 7 upgrade from HP. I have an HDX16 and I too bought this laptop as a blu-ray player (I actually bought two, one to use as a blu-ray player and one to use as a workstation, both have the issue.)

[mcsalame]

My problem is identical to the two previous replys. My system is dv7 with Vista Home Premium SP2, Mediasmart DVD version 2.2.2.3309.

So I don't think it is a Windows 7 problem...

Help, anyone?

[HaggisCat]

I am having the same problem after upgrading the Media Smart Blu-ray player. I have always used HDMI Pass through for surround sound and after the update, as soon as there is audio Media Smart Freezes up and I have to shut it down from the task manager. This happens on my new dv8 with Windows 7 and my old HDX18 with Vista. The new updated software is at fault not any of the operating systems.

 I have an LG Blu-ray burner that came with some Cyberlink Blu-ray software and that works flawlessly when I install it, and that's great, but that's not fair to all the people that have to buy new software from Cyberlink just to have surround sound.

 What gives with HP !!  My new dv8 cost 2,700.00 $ Can. and HP can't supply me (us) with descent software. I wonder if I could go to a lawyer and threaten HP with a law suit in small claims court to give its customers some functional software.

 That's how to get some action is to hit them in the pocket book.

I am tired of hearing " we're working on it" !!

[flipcup]

I was having problems with HDMI and sound as well, the sound for the previews would come out of the TV speakers, but once the movie started the sound would come out of the laptop speakers. 

Here is my solution.  With the HDMI cable already connected to the TV i go to Control Panel, Sound, then click on Speakers and Dual Headphones, Properties and toggle to Do Not Use This Device.

then start HP Mediasmart and play the Blu-Ray

of course, when i want to start using the laptop again, i have to enable the speakers again.