Computers and support for uncompressed sound channels

[HighBomber]

Hey,

Is there any way to test whether a computer can support 5.1 uncompressed sound channels?

My laptop has an HDMI output which I know supports 5.1 audio with DVD's and downloaded movies. I know Blu-Ray movies with Dolby Digital TrueHD or dts Master Audio channels support lossless compression schemes but I don't have a Blu-Ray drive.

Is there any website or audio source that I can test uncompressed sound channels in 5.1?

Thanks,

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Unless your laptop has AMD Radeon 5xxx video card - you can forget about outputting native Dolby HD or DTS HD,
However you should be able to convert the signal to multichannel LPCM -which is also uncompressed signal, just RAW over HDMI cable.
You probably will need newer version of PowerDVD or WinDVD to do this.

Regarding samples - there you go http://tinyurl.com/5vh8b7h

 

[HighBomber]

It is actually the video game, StarCraft2, that sends uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1 channels to the receiver. I guess I am out of luck.

Thanks!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It is actually the video game, StarCraft2, that sends uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1 channels to the receiver. I guess I am out of luck.

Thanks!

Per this website: http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/939643-starcraft-ii-wings-of-liberty/55783873
No Game I know could utilize lossless HD codecs. Games work differently than movies - You know since the sound in game is interactive and depends on your actions.
SC2 have some sort of bug with 7.1 sound. They suggest to change it to 5.1
btw: I could pretty much guarantee with high degree of confidence that blizzard DID compress SC2 game sound with lossy compression.
Make sure to configure your sound setup as this Blizzard guide shows:
http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_US&articleId=21526

btw: I don't know it's changed, but back in the day - you HAD to have EAX support on your sound card to have multichannel audio in game, unless game converts all it's sounds to Dolby Digital - and this is very rare.

In my opinion your best chance to get 5.1 or 7.1 sound in games you need proper external sound card, not just dac interface.
http://us.store.creative.com/Sound-Blaster-XFi-Surround-5.1-Pro/M/B0044DEDCA.htm

 

[krzywica]

Per this website: http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/939643-starcraft-ii-wings-of-liberty/55783873
No Game I know could utilize lossless HD codecs. Games work differently than movies - You know since the sound in game is interactive and depends on your actions.
SC2 have some sort of bug with 7.1 sound. They suggest to change it to 5.1
btw: I could pretty much guarantee with high degree of confidence that blizzard DID compress SC2 game sound with lossy compression.
Make sure to configure your sound setup as this Blizzard guide shows:
http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_US&articleId=21526

btw: I don't know it's changed, but back in the day - you HAD to have EAX support on your sound card to have multichannel audio in game, unless game converts all it's sounds to Dolby Digital - and this is very rare.

In my opinion your best chance to get 5.1 or 7.1 sound in games you need proper external sound card, not just dac interface.
http://us.store.creative.com/Sound-Blaster-XFi-Surround-5.1-Pro/M/B0044DEDCA.htm

Times have changed and most games offer 5.1 or greater audio from onboard audio. However onboard audio on a laptop is usually a different story and rarely has digital audio out (toslink or digital rca). Some games have discrete surround channels but most do not, I'm sure SC2 is one of the games that does not.

 

[HighBomber]

The thing is that my computer does have a digital audio out via HDMI, and I use it all the time.

I have a Denon AVR-989 receiver and it is more than capable of almost all digital signals.

I am unsure whether my laptop can send uncompressed audio but if StarCraft 2 doesn't use that technology than I am unsure what is stopping me.

Here is the StarCraft 2 forum link.

EDIT:

I also looked up EAX it isn't supported anymore. OpenAL is taking over for legacy games from what I read.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Hmm, Does your laptop output any sound thru hdmi port at all ??
If I were you, instead for chasing SC2 forums or AHer, I'd try to mess with Drivers and/or setting of your on-board video card - 8400GS as you mentioned.
If I'm not mistaken - 8400 doesn't have it's own "real" digital sound codec, but it connects to your sound card to pass-thru the sound.
I'd start with simple things as getting the lattes drivers for both onboard and video card.
There are few forums online mentioning the issues with 8400gs hdmi and no sound. I couldn't find solid solution, but i think its strong lead to start looking

 

[HighBomber]

Thanks!

I am not going to give up on this until I can find a solution or narrow down the exact issue preventing me.

I can get sound through my HDMI port. Actually when I get home it is how I play all my music, and watch videos. All my movies and videos that support 5.1 are picked up by my receiver as 5.1.

I just checked my drivers, which were up to date before the new year. There is an update for my video card as of January 18th and an update for the Realtek sound card as of January 4th. Kinda embarrassing...

I will see what these can do.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I see... Try emailing SC2 support directly to find out what exactly they mean by "uncompressed 5.1"

 

[HighBomber]

Will do. I will call them tomorrow or Saturday.

I have also posted on the Nvidia Forums. I am curious if they will point the finger back at Blizzard.

The drivers have been installed and they didn't make any difference.

I have had enough for today. I will post more info when it comes along.

Thanks again!

 

[audit13]

Thanks!

I am not going to give up on this until I can find a solution or narrow down the exact issue preventing me.

I can get sound through my HDMI port. Actually when I get home it is how I play all my music, and watch videos. All my movies and videos that support 5.1 are picked up by my receiver as 5.1.

I just checked my drivers, which were up to date before the new year. There is an update for my video card as of January 18th and an update for the Realtek sound card as of January 4th. Kinda embarrassing...

I will see what these can do.

When playing 5.1 audio, does your receiver say Dolby Digital or DTS? If it doesn, your receiver is receiving lossy audio. In order to obtain HD audio, your laptop needs to have a protected auio path (PAP) in order to pass raw DTS-HD and TrueHD audio to your receivier for decoding.

If your laptop can pass uncompressed lpcm, your receiver would probably display Multi Ch 5.1.