Realtek HD-Audio Coaxial Output

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[Person264]

Hi,
I'll probably get told off for this but its sort of to do with ship simulator.
When I plug my computer via Optical or Coaxial to my sony surround sound system, all it ever transmits as is 2 or 2.1 speakers, and not the desired 5.1. Does anyone else have this problem or is it just me? DJM said he had the same sound card as me (a long time ago) so he might know. I wonder where he is, he hasn't been on for ages.

[mvsmith]

Hi Person264,
I’ve only used SB cards with digital out, but you should find a control panel that lets you set the conditions for digital SPDIF out. Realtek calls theirs “HD Audio Manager”.
Depending upon the source (theatrical DVD, for instance) the digital signal may be restricted to 2ch for copy protection purposes.
Regards,
Marty

[Person264]

I've tried pretty much every setting in the manager, 2ch 4ch 6ch 8ch, but whatever it is only 2 speakers are on. I've tried 44.1Khz, 48Khz, 96Khz but still the same 2 speakers &subwoofer work. When set to 6ch, it was very annoying to play racedriver grid and not hear the engine sounds, which I suspect were on the centre speaker channel.

[mvsmith]

Hi Person264,
OK, games: Do not expect multi-channel (5.1) sound from games over a digital link. Such bit streams are produced by either a Dolby (AC3), or a DTS encoder. The encoding would have to be done by the game—I know of none that do—or by the sound card. Off hand, I can’t think of any that include an AC3 encoder. The 5.1 SPDIF sound you get from a DVD is simply a pass-thru of the encoded bit-stream from the DVD.
Regards,
Marty

If your Sony receiver has multi-channel analog inputs—like my STR DE 485—you can connect the analog outputs from the Realtek that way. That’s what I do in my living room with the Media Center computer using the on-board Realtek because it lacks an empty slot for a sound card.  In that case any DSP, such as bass redirection, must be done by the Realtek because MC input bypasses the DSP in the Sony.

[TerryRussell]

Hi.

This isn't a Technical Support question, since it is not about SS2008. I'll move it to Small Talk, which is the appropriate place.