Calibrating 5.1 surround sound (no software)?

[stevie555]

I just got my 5.1 surround sound setup, but the problem is I can't calibrate it correctly because I don't have the software on my computer that allows me to adjust the volumes of each indivudal speaker, or put a delay on the speakers. How can I get this software so I can calibrate my speakers (Soundcard is realtek AC '97)?

 

[Ethan Winer]

Stevie,

> How can I get this software so I can calibrate my speakers <

I'm not aware of any software solution to give a computer those capabilities that all modern receivers have. Not saying it doesn't exist! Just that I don't know of any. One solution is to buy an inexpensive receiver, then pipe your sound card's digital output (assuming it has one) to the receiver. I've seen capable receivers at Costco for $149.99 and one like that would be fine.

--Ethan

 

[stevie555]

My sound card doesn't have digital output, is that the only way you can correctly calibrate a set of 5.1 computer speakers? The program I run my DVDs with, PowerDVD, has a feature that allows you to set the front speakers, middle speaker, rear speakers, and sub at -Db values (which lets me calibrate them for movies), but this doesn't work for playing music.

 

[Ethan Winer]

> My sound card doesn't have digital output, is that the only way you can correctly calibrate a set of 5.1 computer speakers? <

Without knowing more about your setup I can only guess. But it sounds like you've looked through all the sound card settings etc and found nothing. Does your sound card have six separate (5.1) outputs, but not digital? Maybe a newer sound card is in order? They're pretty inexpensive these days.

--Ethan

 

[sploo]

I presume you've got three jack sockets on the soundcard, and have some sort of powered sub + satellite computer speakers?

What you could do is put together a set of variable resistors (potentiometers), one on each of the six audio lines going to the speaker set.

This would allow you to independantly trim the level of each channel (a bit like the inline 'volume' controls on some headphones).

The downside is that you'd have to make your own leads, and, well, it's pretty nasty.

My receiver has analogue inputs for each channel (in addition to digital), but I don't know if cheaper units have them. Also, if you've got a HTIB type speaker setup, then a receiver probably wouldn't help you - I guess you want a processor, or at least a receiver with pre-outs, but they tend to be the more expensive units.

 

[majorloser]

I have a Biostar T-Force 6100-969 mobo with a Realtek ALC655 '97 on-board. The 5.1 audio output is through a SPDIF digital output. The software and audio drivers do not have any controls for the individual channels. My Altec computer speakers also have no controls for the rear channel levels.

Might be able to check either Realtek's site or mobo manfacturer's site for new drivers.

 

[stevie555]

My setup is a logitech X-530 speakers with 2 front, 2 rear, 1 middle, and 1 subwoofer. It is connected using the standard 3 jack setup. It has SPDIF coaxial out/in and SPDIF optical out/in, but everything is connected through the 3 jacks and it didn't come with anything else for connection. Anything I can do?

 

[sploo]

My nVidia based motherboard (with on-board sound) has a fairly extensive volume control app, which I believe allows the volume of every line to be adjusted (not using that PC right now, so can't check).

I know it's also got options for various 'fancy' sound modes, so probably could be made to add delays. These settings apply system wide, so would affect both DVD and music playback.

As majorloser notes - you could look to see if there are newer drivers for your motherboard; I downloaded a new set for the mobo and found a massively upgraded volume control app (basically what I've described above). Alternatively, an email to your mobo manufacturer might get some success.

Thinking about it... I can't believe there's no way of setting the volume levels independently. Does the standard Windows volume control just show one level control for line out, or does it have controls for front/surround/center/sub?

 

[stevie555]

The standard volume control for XP has a master volume, Wave, SW Synth, CD Player, Line in, and microphone; but no controls for independent speakers. My motherboard is this model: K8M C51GLF, I'll check and see if I can find anything for it.

 

[ChrisARN]

It looks like the K8M is an MSI board so you may want to try the drivers listed here- http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/download/dld/spt_dld_detail.php?UID=624&kind=1

I think all boards in that series use the same audio chipset.


These also- http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/dlac97-2.aspx?lineid=5&famid=12&series=8&Software=True

 

[Ethan Winer]

> It has SPDIF coaxial out/in and SPDIF optical out/in <

That's what I asked you - you do have digital outputs!

So buy a cheap receiver and then you'll be able to decode Dolby 5.1, DTS, and all the other formats.

--Ethan

 

[stevie555]

Thanks for helping me out, but the link you gave says its for the "K8MM-ILSR." Don't I need to find one for the K8M C51GLF, manufacted by First International Computer, Inc (Bios: Phoenix Technologies)? I tried to find out the motherboard's website but didn't have any luck. Also, I checked the realtek website to see if there was anything, but it didn't look like they had an update or addon to allow front/rear/center/sub speaker controls. I'll keep looking though.

 

[ChrisARN]

Thanks for helping me out, but the link you gave says its for the "K8MM-ILSR." Don't I need to find one for the K8M C51GLF, manufacted by First International Computer, Inc (Bios: Phoenix Technologies)? I tried to find out the motherboard's website but didn't have any luck. Also, I checked the realtek website to see if there was anything, but it didn't look like they had an update or addon to allow front/rear/center/sub speaker controls. I'll keep looking though.

Ok, if at first you don't succeed... ftp://ftp.fic.com.tw/motherboard/driver/1stUtilities_v1.27/AUDIO