Can't get 5.1 sound working correctly on pc

chriso132 · 27 Nov 2014 at 18:58

I have my pc connected to my to through the wall as I use it to watch Netflix and play games in the living room as well as my bedroom. The pc is connected to the Pioneer amp via HDMI. I have set up the speakers in windows as 5.1 and they all register just fine but when I try to watch a film or play games, it isn't really 5.1. I didn't notice this till my pal brough over his ps4 and connected it to my amp. The sound was amazing, and was real 5.1. I've not heard anything like this from my pc. I also tried to connect it via optical but that doesn't even give me the option to set it up as 5.1. Games don't have Dolby or anything according to the amp. Everything has to be stereo or "PCM"

Anyone got any idea if I'm doing something wrong ?

Thanks

wazza300 · 27 Nov 2014 at 19:01

in windows sound icon/playback devices/hdmi does it give you the option for 5.1 sound? or to convert stereo source to 5.1? not sure as I havnt used hdmi just normal pc speakers

chriso132 · 27 Nov 2014 at 19:04

wazza300 said:
in windows sound icon/playback devices/hdmi does it give you the option for 5.1 sound? or to convert stereo source to 5.1? not sure as I havnt used hdmi just normal pc speakers

Yeah it does. Trying optical now and it's giving me more options on the amp for Dolby and such but playing tomb raider just doesn't use the back speakers

wazza300 · 27 Nov 2014 at 19:06

try setting to 7.1 sound option and disable the side speakers in windows (if it lets you) that usually gives you 5.1 sound

chriso132 · 27 Nov 2014 at 19:11

I'll give it a go. Thanks

chriso132 · 27 Nov 2014 at 19:13

still nothing. The speakers are working with the pc but no application seems to be using them.

Marsman · 27 Nov 2014 at 23:40

chriso132 said:
Yeah it does. Trying optical now and it's giving me more options on the amp for Dolby and such but playing tomb raider just doesn't use the back speakers

Not sure why you're not getting proper 5.1 from your Nvidia card. Could be something to do with the Nvidia audio drivers. Try reinstalling maybe?

What I do know is that the reason you weren't getting proper 5.1 when using optical is because in order to get 5.1 via SPDIF (optical and coaxial), the audio needs to be encoded with Dolby Digital or DTS. As the majority of PC games do not have DD/DTS the audio needs to be encoded to 5.1 in real time with either Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect.

Normally, using HDMI is the better option, as it supports multi channel PCM which is uncompressed and you don't have to bother with a sound card if the motherboard doesn't have DDL or DTSC.

chriso132 · 28 Nov 2014 at 10:42

Marsman said:
Not sure why you're not getting proper 5.1 from your Nvidia card. Could be something to do with the Nvidia audio drivers. Try reinstalling maybe?

What I do know is that the reason you weren't getting proper 5.1 when using optical is because in order to get 5.1 via SPDIF (optical and coaxial), the audio needs to be encoded with Dolby Digital or DTS. As the majority of PC games do not have DD/DTS the audio needs to be encoded to 5.1 in real time with either Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect.

Normally, using HDMI is the better option, as it supports multi channel PCM which is uncompressed and you don't have to bother with a sound card if the motherboard doesn't have DDL or DTSC.

Thanks for the reply. When I'm using HDMI, it says PCM on the amplifier when it surround mode. It just doesn't sounds very "surroundy" The back speakers are being used but not very well. Doesn't sound any better than using stereo.

Marine-RX179 · 28 Nov 2014 at 11:39

chriso132 said:
Thanks for the reply. When I'm using HDMI, it says PCM on the amplifier when it surround mode. It just doesn't sounds very "surroundy" The back speakers are being used but not very well. Doesn't sound any better than using stereo.

I think the issue is already as Marsman pointed out for you that you have nothing on your PC that's doing the job of encoding with Dolby Digital or DTS, thus this is probably the reason why you can't get surround to work for games.

I think the cheapest solution for you is probably just to grab a cheapo Asus DG/DGX to do the job of encoding to Dolby Digital Live, and connect to via SPDIF (optical or coaxial) to your amp/receiver.

Might want to wait for Marsman to confirm if that would work.

Marsman · 28 Nov 2014 at 23:58

You shouldn't need to use Dolby Digital or DTS though, at least not if you can use HDMI. The only reason to have DD/DTS real time 5.1 encoding is if you are using SPDIF.

SPDIF has limited bandwidth, so the audio needs to be compressed so it can take more than two channels. That's why it can only support stereo PCM. HDMI isn't limited by bandwidth so can support multi channel (5/6/7.1) PCM.

I'm not sure not sure why it isn't working, but it's certainly not because the PC is not encoding to DD/DTS. If you have to use SPDIF, then yes a sound card would be needed with Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect in order to encode in real time.

Which Pioneer do you have?

Was the PS4 connected to the receiver with HDMI, or was the sound connected via optical to the receiver?

chriso132 · 29 Nov 2014 at 23:14

Marsman said:
You shouldn't need to use Dolby Digital or DTS though, at least not if you can use HDMI. The only reason to have DD/DTS real time 5.1 encoding is if you are using SPDIF.

SPDIF has limited bandwidth, so the audio needs to be compressed so it can take more than two channels. That's why it can only support stereo PCM. HDMI isn't limited by bandwidth so can support multi channel (5/6/7.1) PCM.

I'm not sure not sure why it isn't working, but it's certainly not because the PC is not encoding to DD/DTS. If you have to use SPDIF, then yes a sound card would be needed with Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect in order to encode in real time.

Which Pioneer do you have?

Was the PS4 connected to the receiver with HDMI, or was the sound connected via optical to the receiver?

Its the amp/subwoofer that came with the HTP-FS510 2.1 System. I have added Speakers to make it 5.1. Yeah the ps4 was connected via HDMI.

Marsman · 29 Nov 2014 at 23:49

I am wondering whether it can receive multi channel PCM. I assumed you were using an AV receiver, rather than an all in one type unit. Although it does have most things you would normally find on most AV receivers, sometimes they do cut in an area or two.

Although you see PCM showing, maybe it can only receive stereo PCM, and relies on Dolby Digital or DTS encoded audio for surround sound. I don't know that, it's just a thought really. Looking at the manual on Pioneer's site, I can't see any mention of PCM functions.

Although an audio stream is not required to be encoded with either Dolby or DTS in order for 5/6/7.1 audio to sent via HDMI, the PS4 may be outputting Dolby. If it is, and the receiver in the HTP-FS510 cannot accept multi channel PCM, that would explain why you are getting better audio from the PS4. Audio from the PC would be stereo PCM upmixed.

Just thoughts though, as I don't know for sure whether or not the Pioneer does support multi channel PCM or not.

chriso132 · 1 Dec 2014 at 14:19

Marsman said:
I am wondering whether it can receive multi channel PCM. I assumed you were using an AV receiver, rather than an all in one type unit. Although it does have most things you would normally find on most AV receivers, sometimes they do cut in an area or two.

Although you see PCM showing, maybe it can only receive stereo PCM, and relies on Dolby Digital or DTS encoded audio for surround sound. I don't know that, it's just a thought really. Looking at the manual on Pioneer's site, I can't see any mention of PCM functions.

Although an audio stream is not required to be encoded with either Dolby or DTS in order for 5/6/7.1 audio to sent via HDMI, the PS4 may be outputting Dolby. If it is, and the receiver in the HTP-FS510 cannot accept multi channel PCM, that would explain why you are getting better audio from the PS4. Audio from the PC would be stereo PCM upmixed.

Just thoughts though, as I don't know for sure whether or not the Pioneer does support multi channel PCM or not.

I don't think I'm going to get it working without a sound card. I have. Z77mpower motherboard with two 680's in sli giving me hardly any room for a card on the bottom slot. I may get away with it but I'm not sure until I get home and have a look. Are there any external sound cards with Dolby live and optical out ?

Thanks for all the help by the way.

Marsman · 1 Dec 2014 at 16:00

Both X-Fi Surround 5.1 and Xonar U3, support Dolby Digital Live.

Although the U3 looks as though it has no toslink connection; rather than the standard toslink that is used on the X-Fi, the U3 uses a 3.5mm mini toslink connection. A little adaptor is included so a standard toslink cable can be connected.

Only possible issue with the U3 is that you will really need a light optical cable, and not a thicker heavy one as that will pull on the USB socket that the U3 is plugged into.

As long as you have Dolby Digital Live, which both do, then the rest doesn't matter really. Although the X-Fi would be the better option should you want to use headphones or headset at any time.

chriso132 · 1 Dec 2014 at 17:27

Marsman said:
Both X-Fi Surround 5.1 and Xonar U3, support Dolby Digital Live.

Although the U3 looks as though it has no toslink connection; rather than the standard toslink that is used on the X-Fi, the U3 uses a 3.5mm mini toslink connection. A little adaptor is included so a standard toslink cable can be connected.

Only possible issue with the U3 is that you will really need a light optical cable, and not a thicker heavy one as that will pull on the USB socket that the U3 is plugged into.

As long as you have Dolby Digital Live, which both do, then the rest doesn't matter really. Although the X-Fi would be the better option should you want to use headphones or headset at any time.

I have room for one in my pc if it's small enough. Don't want to block off my fans. Would I be better with an internal one ?

chriso132 · 1 Dec 2014 at 18:14

Marsman said:
Both X-Fi Surround 5.1 and Xonar U3, support Dolby Digital Live.

Although the U3 looks as though it has no toslink connection; rather than the standard toslink that is used on the X-Fi, the U3 uses a 3.5mm mini toslink connection. A little adaptor is included so a standard toslink cable can be connected.

Only possible issue with the U3 is that you will really need a light optical cable, and not a thicker heavy one as that will pull on the USB socket that the U3 is plugged into.

As long as you have Dolby Digital Live, which both do, then the rest doesn't matter really. Although the X-Fi would be the better option should you want to use headphones or headset at any time.

Actually never mind. I'll stick to an external one. Would I better with the creative x-fi or the creative omni ?

Marsman · 1 Dec 2014 at 19:32

I'd forgotten about the Omni.

Well, if you only need Dolby Digital Live, then it doesn't matter really. The X-Fi is near £20 cheaper from what I can see.

chriso132 · 1 Dec 2014 at 20:10

Marsman said:
I'd forgotten about the Omni.

Well, if you only need Dolby Digital Live, then it doesn't matter really. The X-Fi is near £20 cheaper from what I can see.

I've went ahead of ordered the omni. Gives me the optical for my 5.1 and RCA for my audioengine speakers too. The mic feature seems nice and might use it as my Astros aren't in great condition.

Thanks for the help

ginjaninja · 2 Dec 2014 at 20:22

you did try, right click on speaker icon....playback devices....configure (win 7 instructions or similar..)

pcm is the correct setting for HDMI...
having windows configured for 5.1 sound along with playback of any windows sound (eg. change volume) is enough for the amp to receive 5.1 from pc...if it can switch to multichannel it will do...

the configure routine on windows sound will also play a sound through each speaker channel to confirm

chriso132 · 3 Dec 2014 at 21:31

ginjaninja said:
you did try, right click on speaker icon....playback devices....configure (win 7 instructions or similar..)

pcm is the correct setting for HDMI...
having windows configured for 5.1 sound along with playback of any windows sound (eg. change volume) is enough for the amp to receive 5.1 from pc...if it can switch to multichannel it will do...

the configure routine on windows sound will also play a sound through each speaker channel to confirm

Ive tried everything mate. My reciever is getting PCM but only outputting it in stereo even though all the settings are put to 5.1. When i do the test, all five speakers are registering as they should but i think i need dolby live to have games and such work in true 5.1