Hey, all.
Recently I hooked up my computer to my HT system so I could stream such things as Netflix and Pandora, and of course do some gaming on the big screen. One thing I was expecting was being able to get 5.1 surround when gaming. I'm not
I suspect it's just the Realtek on board audio that isn't able to do this. Maybe somebody confirm or possibly shed some light on the mater.
Here's my setup and what I've tried so far. My complete computer specs are in my profile.
It's an Abit IP35-pro motherboard with a Realtek 7.1 HD audio.
The HD audio is enable in the BIOS.
I have the latest Realtek driver.
My OS is Vista Ultimate 64 bit.
The game I used was COD4 which has an option to send 5.1 audio.
For the Video I have a DVI to HDMI cable going from my 8800GT to my receiver and for the audio I have an optical cable going from the output on the back panel to the input on my receiver. Funny thing is when I play a DVD I get a 5.1 signal. I just tested it with War of the Worlds and my receiver, when set on "auto" was getting an actual DTS input and not PCM. Anyone who has watched this movie on a HT system with a decent sub knows what a good LFE signal can do to your room. Anyway, I was surprised to see the DTS light up on the receiver. I really didn't think it would decode it.
So that's where I get lost.
Is is the hardware?
A. The sound card is not compatible with 5.1 audio and gaming.
B. It might do 5.1 gaming, but not through the optical output. Just the speaker outputs.
Or is it the software?
The game?
Realtek driver issue?
Vista issue?
I'd really like to get some help before I go and put down the cash on a decent sound card.
Thanks in advance.
Recently I hooked up my computer to my HT system so I could stream such things as Netflix and Pandora, and of course do some gaming on the big screen. One thing I was expecting was being able to get 5.1 surround when gaming. I'm not
I suspect it's just the Realtek on board audio that isn't able to do this. Maybe somebody confirm or possibly shed some light on the mater.
Here's my setup and what I've tried so far. My complete computer specs are in my profile.
It's an Abit IP35-pro motherboard with a Realtek 7.1 HD audio.
The HD audio is enable in the BIOS.
I have the latest Realtek driver.
My OS is Vista Ultimate 64 bit.
The game I used was COD4 which has an option to send 5.1 audio.
For the Video I have a DVI to HDMI cable going from my 8800GT to my receiver and for the audio I have an optical cable going from the output on the back panel to the input on my receiver. Funny thing is when I play a DVD I get a 5.1 signal. I just tested it with War of the Worlds and my receiver, when set on "auto" was getting an actual DTS input and not PCM. Anyone who has watched this movie on a HT system with a decent sub knows what a good LFE signal can do to your room. Anyway, I was surprised to see the DTS light up on the receiver. I really didn't think it would decode it.
So that's where I get lost.
Is is the hardware?
A. The sound card is not compatible with 5.1 audio and gaming.
B. It might do 5.1 gaming, but not through the optical output. Just the speaker outputs.
Or is it the software?
The game?
Realtek driver issue?
Vista issue?
I'd really like to get some help before I go and put down the cash on a decent sound card.
Thanks in advance.