I can't get surround sound out of my computer

[zahc]

I ran an optical cable from my computer to my surround processor, and it works, but the processor won't switch to surround.

I'm using Media Player Classic with CCCP. MPC says audio is "English AC3 48000 bits 6 channels" but my surround processor doesn't think so.

I set control panel to '5.1 surround speakers', and set the CCCP audio output to 'same as input'. I'm not sure at what level the problem is.

I have a DFI RS482 mATX motherboard, using the SPDIF output. The cable I found is really sketchy, with a loose plug, but it works on stereo right now, is it possible that it's not switching to DD because of some transmission errors?

[Racehorse]

What kind of sound are you trying to output? Usually the only thing that will work is a dvd movie. You have to go into the audio chip settings and set it to SPDIF pass-through. If you're trying to output sound from games or music in surround sound, it won't work without a specialized sound card.

[zahc]

I'm testing it with movies right now, and it won't work.

[Marnoot]

As Racehorse said, see if you can find the setting for "SPDIF Pass-through," either in your sound settings in Control Panel, or in your sound card's software. Otherwise, your external processor won't be getting the signal it's expecting. Rather your sound card (or your motherboard's on-board sound processor) will first decode the Dolby/etc signal, rather than just passing it on through the SPDIF connection.

[zahc]

I have a DFI RS482 motherboard, so it's not really a sound card. I downloaded short DD and DTS test tracks in WAV format, and neither one play, they play static which I'm told means that my computer isn't outputting correctly. I can't find any useful options in the control panel.

[Brad Johnson]

they play static which I'm told means that my computer isn't outputting correctly. I can't find any useful options in the control panel.

Are you sure your sound card and/or surround-sound unit is capable of decoding a DTS track?

Brad

[zahc]

It shouldn't have to decode them, just output them. Decoding is what my reciever should be doing. The test tracks are supposed to be such that if one's digital output is bit-perfect, the surround reciever will pick it up and decode it. At least that's the way I understand it.

[Brad Johnson]

It shouldn't have to decode them, just output them. Decoding is what my reciever should be doing. The test tracks are supposed to be such that if one's digital output is bit-perfect, the surround reciever will pick it up and decode it. At least that's the way I understand it.

Does the receiver/surround unit have a built-in DTS decoder, or is it one of the "Fooled Ya!" DTS-labeled surround receivers that actually depends on having the decoding done by another piece of equipment?

Brad

[zahc]

It decodes DTS from the DVD player just fine. And the DD test track has the same result.

[Brad Johnson]

It decodes DTS from the DVD player just fine. And the DD test track has the same result.

Hmmm... still sounds like there is a decoding issue in the receiver.  When you said that all you get is a hiss that's usually the indicator for a non-decoder receiver trying to handle a DTS signal.

What are the make and model of your DVD player and receiver?

Brad

[Bogie]

My DAC doesn't do DTS.

[Gewehr98]

Usually the only thing that will work is a dvd movie.

Actually, you'd be surprised.  I know I was.

I have a DAC between my Hitachi Plasma HDTVs optical output and my analog Yamaha DSP1 surround field processor, which then sends the signal to a 2-channel JoLida pentode vacuum tube amp and a 4-channel Yamaha surround amp.  The HDTV accepts all my inputs, from Charter Hi-Def cable box, to Zenith DVD player, to Linksys WMP-11 Ethernet media (mp3) player. I also have the Zenith DVD player's second pair of audio outputs feeding the inputs of the JoLida pentode amp directly, bypassing the whole HDTV/DAC/DSP loop. 

I was running plain old music CDs in the Zenith, but had forgotten to switch the JoLida from TAPE to CD. So the music CDs were fed through the DAC and into the Yamaha DSP1.  I'll be darned if I didn't get Dolby surround out of my U2 Unforgettable Fire CD!  It so flabbergasted me, I started going through more of my CD collection, trying to find a copyright date when Dolby Surround was first encoded into music CDs.  I haven't quite nailed it down yet, but there's a lot more surround tracks recorded than one would initially think!  Give it a try sometime, y'all will be in for a surprise... 

[zahc]

Hmmm... still sounds like there is a decoding issue in the receiver.  When you said that all you get is a hiss that's usually the indicator for a non-decoder receiver trying to handle a DTS signal.

What are the make and model of your DVD player and receiver?

Bottom line is it works and plays fine with either the DVD player or PS2. It picks up the surround track and switches to DD or DTS. Put the same DVD in the computer and it doesn't work, it just stays on pro-logic. But it does make sound.

DTS isn't even the big issue, I only have like 1 DTS DVD. I'm concerned with DD 5.1 for the most part. If DTS doesn't work, that's fine, I'll just use the DD track.

My DVD player is a $30 Magnavox, and the 'reciever' is actually a Technics SH-AC500D surround processor that feeds my stereo system and a separate 'rear stereo system' for surround duty....ain't no way I'm hooking up myspeakers with no home theatre power...

[Racehorse]

It's definitely an issue with your computer, not the receiver. You need to find the SPDIF Pass-Through setting. That's the only way you'll get it to work. Sometimes you can find that by going to the control panel, then sounds and audio devices and looking through the various menus in the window that comes up. Sometimes it's one of the options in the utility that controls your audio. Sometimes there's an option whether to have your computer decode DD or not. That is often the same setting as the pass-through.

The AVS forums have a ton of information on this topic. You should try over there if the suggestions here dont work. www.avsforum.com