No option for 5.1 audio - Only 2 channel available?

[DarylJones97]

Hi everyone, I've just recently built my first pc and i'm having some audio issues.

My problem is this;

When i go into my computers audio settings, i only have the option to select 2 channel audio, not 5.1? I am currently running an S/PDIF cable from my pc to my receiver. The strange thing is this. When i run an audio test in the 'supported levels' tab, i hear all of my speakers and the sub working fine. So why does windows not give me the option to select something other than 2 channel? I cannot run a hdmi cable from my pc to my receiver and from my receiver to the monitor as my monitor is 21:9 and the receiver i have does not support this resolution, so hdmi from the receiver only displays in a maximum on 1920x1080.

Is there any way that i can have 5.1 audio without the need to get a soundcard? It is frustrating as i know from the test that surround sound is possible with my setup, i just don't know why windows won't let me select it as an option in my sound settings. My motherboard supposedly supports 7.1 audio too. (Z97 Gaming 7)

If anyone could help me out, i would massively appreciate it! Thanks

 

[modernwar99]

In the Realtek HD Audio Manager, under the "Speaker Configuration" tab, see if you can select the 5.1 speaker option.

 

[DarylJones97]

In the Realtek HD Audio Manager, under the "Speaker Configuration" tab, see if you can select the 5.1 speaker option.

Hi Modernwar99, thanks for the help - When i open up the Realtek HD Audio Manager, i don't have a "speaker configuration" tab? I've uploaded an image of what i can see http://imgur.com/zncWiC8

 

[DarylJones97]

Anyone out there that can help?

 

[ComputerCurious21]

This thread is very old, But are you still having this problem? If you are i think i can help you.

 

[Lunchbox1984]

This thread is very old, But are you still having this problem? If you are i think i can help you.

using a Sony receiver with Digital Out cord running from computer to the receiver. Sound comes out but only out of 2 speakers.

Realtek wont give me any options to be able to change the settings for setting this as 5.1, windows only sees it as a 2 channel, unless im testing something and then all 5 speakers work.

Really want to be able to use my system, but this is killing me

 

[ComputerCurious21]

Okay, When i had the same problem what i did was install "Dolby Home Theater v4" you can find download links to this on youtube.

Before you start make sure you disable "driver signature enforcement" or you wont be able to overwrite the Realtek drivers. You can
Google search how to disable this on your operating system. Make sure while you follow instructions below you always select DHT in
install menu.

After you disabled driver signature enforcement Install PCEE drivers and these will overwrite your current audio drivers to support DHT Or Dolby Home Theater. Then install Dolby Home Theater, And after that you should have Dolby running in the background in
your taskbar.

After that right click on the audio icon in the taskbar "Not the Dolby one" and press "Playback Devices" go into there and click your
spdif output and press Properties, You should see a new bar that says Dolby click that and make sure a small menu comes up with
Dolby options. If that's working go to advanced tab.

In here you will see "Default Format" open that dropdown menu and select "Dolby Digital" all the way at the bottom. This will change
your primary output channels from 2 channels to 5.1, Also make sure you have both check boxes at the bottom enabled.

To ensure this is working properly press apply, Then go to Levels tab and click Balance. In here you should see all 6 channels at the
same volume ensuring that windows will now output 5.1 out your spdif connection.

After all this make sure the content your watching is outputting 5.1 channel audio to your spdif. If the content your watching doesn't have 5.1 channel audio outputting to the spdif driver you wont get 5.1. So make sure whatever your watching is 5.1.