strange problem with surround 5.1

skidude88

Hi got a strange problem with surround 5.1 - if anyone could help?

SB0102 5.1.
KX 3537.
XP Sp2

Running the kx speaker "test" the 5 channels & sub work correct.

Running DVD application windvd & powerdvd - I wasn't getting any sound.

I've uninstalled/reinstalled kx - didn't seem to help.

Reinstalled the Creative drivers to prove H/W OK - all channels worked fine.

Reinstalled kx & I've reset gobal & device settings.

Im now getting front channel through what should be the center/sub (orange - analogue/digital out)

(I know that the front and rear get swapped!!!)

The kx speaker "test" still works 100% correct. ie if I just plug 1 set of speakers into the center, I get front sound channel on any dvd movie, running the kx speaker test, I get the ding only when the center speaker test runs.

control panel > sounds & devices > audio playback is 0/1 & set to 5.1 speakers.

And DVD software is set to 5.1 also.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Cheers,

james.

Russ

Make sure that Surrounder (Speaker Setup in kX) is set to 5.1, and that the default audio device for Windows is set to kX Wave 0/1 (and/or in your DVD software, if it allows you to choose which device to use, etc).

skidude88

setting....

[KX]
KX speaker setup is : 5:1 & surround on.

[XP]
Contol panel > sounds & devices > speaker settings = 5:1
cont. pan. > sounds & devices > audio > default device = kx wave SB0102 5.1 (9000) 0.1

(also "use only defaults devices" = ticked.) it wasn't and thought that that might crack it .... it didn't

Using numerous dvd software progs, windvd5, windvd7, powerdvd5

[windv5] (as an example ...)

setup > audio > audio output = analogue soundcard
setup > audio > speaker config = 6 channel (5.1 home theater)

I can plug 1 single set of speakers into front, rear & center in turn on the sound card - each plays the windvd built in "white noise" test (though it doesn't indicate which channel its testing)

With speakers left plugged in to orange - center/sub woof (I only get one output - so guessing center, and no sub/woof as you would expect).

When I stop the test and continue viewing the dvd, this is the only channel with dialogue

Also as stated previously, running the KX speaker test - plays the channels correctly

I've run out of ideas!? - dont really wanna go back to creative drivers.

info from windvd -

Version:
5.0 B26.007
Navigation:
Type: DVD
Region: 2
Drive: F:
TV System: PAL.
Video:
Hardware:
Vendor: ATI
Stream:
Type: Encrypted MPEG2
Bitrate: 7.500 Mbps
Framerate: 25.000 Hz
Resolution: 720x576
Aspect ratio: 16x9
Audio:
Hardware:
Audio Device: directsound
S/PDIF: Present
Number of speakers: 6
Stream:
Type: Dolby Digital (AC3)
Bitrate: 384 Kbps
Number of main channels: 5
LFE Channel: Present
Sampling Frequency: Not available
Bits Per Sample: 16
Output:
Sample Rate: 48 KHz
Bits per Sample: 16
CPU:
Name: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 1800+
Family:6(Gen:7) Model:8 Stepping:1
Standard Feature: 0x0383fbff
Hyper-Threading: Not supported, Not enabled
Instruction support:
Intel MMX: Enabled
Intel SSE: Enabled
Intel SSE2: Not enabled
AMD 3DNow!: Enabled
AMD Enh 3DNow!: Enabled
AMD 3DNow! Pro: Enabled

skidude88

In windvd - setting audio render from "auto" to "waveout" I now get movie sound from the front channel (though a bit quiet.)

Is this likely to be the problem or just a work around? (no idea what these setting are)

Playing dvds in mediaplayer and powerdvd obviously still doesn't work.

If this should be set somewhere in KX so the default is waveout - I'm at a loss where this should be set?

Maddogg6

I wonder if your system got changed (GraphEdit'ed decoder/filters etc.. config)

Did you try VLC - Its what I use mostly - and can at least offer some more specific assistance with it...

I *think* - its not so much where to set kX - as kX is capable of WaveOut OR DiresctSound (in Winamp it is anyway) This setting should be in the media player application/program.

Ok - here goes - Im gonna ask the #1 syupid question - Are you certain it was a DVD encoded with 5.1/surround - I see plenty DVD's that only offer stereo sound.

skidude88

Cheers I'll give VLC a go.

DVDs tried are all genuine..... "band of bothers" and "farscape"....

and it used to work!

I've no idea whats been loaded that could cause the problem since I last used the PC to watch DVDs.

The creative drives worked fine when I tried them the other day.

And the frustrating thing is the "test" works fine!

Maddogg6

Ok I did some looking - Band of Brothers is in stereo only
RE: http://store.hbo.com/sm-band-of-brot...i-1888667.html

I bet Farscape is also (many TV series I found are not in 5.1)

So - you have been (most likely) troubleshooting a stereo only encoded DVD.

In VLC - in the AUDIO drop down menu - if the option for '5.1' - is not available - the disc is not encoded for it. But it may not show up in the dvd menus - and only when the actual movie is playing.

Try it with an action/adventure movie they are almost always in 5.1