Surround sound confusion

So what's the story with surround sound?
I have recently bought a Samsung HT-E5500 surround system and have connected the BT Vision box (black one) to it using HDMI. (I have an optical cable at home but haven't connected it.)
I have set the output to 'surround sound' in the BTV menu but I only hear output from two front channels (left and right) when watching TV. I haven't yet tried On Demand films.
I am aware that Freeview HD broadcasts do contain the required data for surround sound, but as BT Vision does not output Freeview HD, only SD, does BTV output the surround channels?
So the questions are:
(give me the answers in simple terms)
Do TV programmes and films (i.e. On Demand films) watched through BT Vision support 5.1 surround sound output?
If not all channels/films are broadcast in surround, how do I know which ones ARE in surround and which ones are stereo only?
As I currently only have two channels working while watching BTV, what do I need to do to activate the other audio channels? ( I have already set up the option in the BTV menu). Do I need to use the optical cable from BTV box to surround system? Do I need to enable anything on the surround system?
Thanks!
Bob

Only HD movies contain a full 5.1 soundtrack depending on how long ago they were made. Note that the new software doesn't yet support 5.1, but if you have a setting I'm guessing you're still using the old software.
Most SD content, whether that's movies or just standard Freeview, has surround sound encoded into the stereo soundtrack. This doesn't have the full range of proper 5.1, but it's not bad. In order to hear it you will need to enable the Prologic decoder on your surround system (assuming it has one, but it would be a rare beast that hasn't).
In terms of cabling, for full 5.1 you will need the optical, but Prologic surround can be sent over anything.

Similar Messages

Is it even possible to edit surround sound on a Mac Pro?!?!?!

Hello,
I've just been reading this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2924869?
Which among many things discusses the fact that Mac Pros, even through an optical cable, are not capable of exporting live 5.1 audio - they can only playback already encoded 5.1 dolby audio from DVD's for example. Apparently the optical out is a purely stereo affair otherwise. I've finally received my Logitech 5450 speakers (took weeks and weeks) and hooked them up. They can indeed playback 5.1 from a DVD, which is splendid. However, one of the things I was most looking forward to was working on surround mixes in Soundtrack Pro. However, firstly STP doesn't want to convert stereo files into surround (like the video online showed), but only means that the surround panner pans between the two front speakers. (I know there's another thread about that, but the proposed solution of adjusting the collapse slider does nothing).
Secondly, and perhaps more confusingly, if I load an actual 5.1 file from the STP content, it still doesn't play in proper surround - the centre speaker kind of works and I think something's rumbling through the subwoofer, but both of the left speakers and right speakers are 'compressed' into the front one alone - nothing comes out of the rear speakers (they are perfectly connected I assure you!). In other words, f I move the puck in the surround panner so it's solely on the front right, and then over to the rear right, it's exactly the same (coming out the front).
I'm sure there must be a solution. Why would Apple advertise the ease with which one can now mix surround if the Mac Pro (I'm not exactly talking about a mac mini here) cannot export live 5.1?
Something which I'm sure is related, but which I can't solve, is that if I go into Audio MIDI setup in Utilities, and try and 'Configure Speakers', only two channels are recognised, and it won't let me select any of the multichannel options (such as 5.1, which is greyed out.)
Anyone know what I'm going on about? I'm totally lost - not really an audio person in general, but hoping to enrich my short films with some surround magic.
Any help greatly appreciated!
Steve
Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)
Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Typically 5.1 is mixed, and monitored on a 5.1 monitoring system, which means you need an audio interface and setup capable of outputting six channels of audio.
So of course the Mac Pro is capable, but not without additional multi-channel playback and monitoring hardware.
Encoded surround sound, which you hear on playback from things like a DVD, is entirely different story and the encoding is done at the end of the mixing/mastering process. Sometimes you will encode a mix in a variety of formats, Dolby Pro Logic, DTS etc.

5.1 Surround Sound back two and centre speakers suddently stopped working in VIS

Hello,
In January I installed Windows Vista onto my pc. I didn't have any issues with the sound card at all. All of my speakers were working correctly.
The sound card I have is the Creative Soundblaster Li've 24bit internal. I installed the drivers for it which were out at that time and I had no problems with my speakers.
Yesterday though I noticed that my speakers were not sounding correct. I soon realised that no sound was coming from my back speakers and my centre speaker when I played music in Media Player. So I done the usual audio tweaking and checked my box on my speakers to see if anything was wrong, but it was all ok. So then I went to sound settings in vista. I then configured my settings and noticed everything seemed to be ok. When I done a sound check all the correct beeps came from the correct speakers. That told me that at least the speakers were not broken. Windows has noticed they are there. The 5. settings were correct also.
The CD that came with my sound card I seem to have lost. I know that has software where you can tweak the sound setup but I actually noticed that my speakers were louder and clearer then when the software was installed on xp. So I doubt that if I install that software again it will fix the problem.
I was really confused at this stage so I started to do some research on Google and noticed it's not just me who's having this problem. Quite a few other guys seem to be getting exactly the same as me.
The links for the posts are here:
http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=270722&SiteID=
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archi've.cfm/680777.html
Granted that the systems are using different soundcards then mine but it's a little bit of a coincidence don't you think?
Luckily for me I had quite a few restore points to go back to. I tried a couple of days ago, then a week and then a month before. Same thing though - no sound?
I then removed the drivers from my computer and then installed the new vista drivers. But guess what, nothing happened.
I doubt this is a soundcard problem and I think it's something to do with vista and the few bugs? she?s still got.
Any suggestions on what might be the problem?
Oh by the way, I?ve not installed any new software which could have caused this problem. Not in the past few days anyway. Like I said I restored my pc at multiple dates just to make sure.

Well I'm not using Vista I'm using XP SP2 and I have the same problem.
On the windows sound control panel there is a button called speaker volume. when you click on it you get a bunch of sliders with channels -8. Ive discovered that if I move the master sound control in any of the Creative Sound modes software Entertainment/Audio Creation or Gaming the channel sliders in the windows control panel numbered 3-7 all go to zero which stops the surround sound working. It leaves channels and 2 and 8 alone which can be changed with the sound control in the creative software.
Even checking move all the slides together option on the windows control panel is cancelled as soon as I twitch the main sound control. It's driving me nuts. I keep thinking I must be missing something really obvious here but alas I can't think what.
Ive tried lots of different solutions to no avail. Interestingly when I tried to use the autodriver update thing on the creative web site it said that i am using Vista and you'll have to download manually. Which I did and still didnt resolve my problem.
Sorry no solutions just more problems lets hope someone can help!
Edit - Just discovered - I have XFi Pro if I use the I/O Console volume dial it works fine, but if I use the software volume control it all goes wrong. Think I posted in the wrong thread as well as this is vista but it just seemed so relevant.
Message Edited by Gramuldy on 04-29-2008 :45 PM

Odd surround sound probl

To my knowledge I have a 5. surround sound Logitech sound system. I have a green, orange and black jack plugs on the Logitech system to go into my sound card, and in that card I have a green, orange, black, blue and white jack plug receivers (lack of a better work) I am unable to toggle the center and sub woofer volumes from the Creative software that I have, namely Audigy Advanced MB. I thought it was a problem with the orange socket, so I did a test. I put all the plugs in their sockets Green with green, orange with orange and black with black: The Front left controls the front and rear left and sub woofer Front center does nothing Front left controls front left, rear left and sub woofer Rear left and right and the subwoofer do nothing. Is this a problem with the sound card or Creatives software? Or is it a problem with the actual speaker system its self? EDIT: Oddly, All the speakers can be independently controlled via the windows speaker volume in the volume control although all the sliders seem to have an effect on the subwoofer. I know, that all seems so confusing, and it is. Does anyone have any idea whats up?

Hi this might sound stupid, but have you set your sound card to 5.. I dont have a X-fi, so cant comment on where the option?is, but id assume it would be under some speeker settings. Regards?Pabs

Outputting 5.1 Channel Surround Sound from your Mac

How to output 5.1 Channel Surround Sound from you Mac...

I have been using my MacBook Pro via HDMI into my pioneer av amp which is set up for 5.1.
I have been able to output 5.1 audio with Logic Pro and FCPX no issues at all after you setup the audio midi utility for 5.1. This setup is via PCM 5.1 audio not to be confused with Dolby 5.1.
It works great. If you want to play your edited exported movies from Final Cut Pro x in surround then it gets a bit tricky. I export the movie with FCPX as master video with the 5.1 audio then use HandBreak set to atv3 to encode / compress the video. This is great because handbreak folds the 5.1 into a stereo AAC track and also encodes the 5.1 mix into Dolby 5.1 AC3 track so both stereo and surround tracks are embedded in the movie file. So if you have an Apple TV it will play the movie with its surround track. If you play the same HandBreak compressed movie out of your Mac via hdmi to your surround amp it will only play the stereo track if you are using iTunes or QuickTime and I believe this is because of copy protect and Dolby license issues. iTunes will play a purchased movie from the itunes store in surround via your Macs hdmi to receiver setup but will only play the stereo track of the movie you exported from HandBreak even though it is set up just like an iTunes movie. To get your HandBreak movie to play in Dolby surround from your Mac all you need is VLC player, then you have to go in and select the Dolby track and the output in VLCs audio settings and bingo your HandBreaked movie then plays out of your Mac in Dolby surround. Once you set your Mac up for 5.1 mixing your amp will show your outputting 5.1 via the mac but again this is PCM audio 5.1 and apps like FCPX, Soundtrack Pro, Logic Pro will work.

Sony Surround Sound Query

Hello People,
I've read a few posts already submitted on here, but cannot fathom out the answer, so I'll reinvent the wheel with my question now...
I have a Sony Surround sound 5.1 system with floor speakers, base tube and under tv speaker (not sure that's totally relevent). At the rear of the surround sound unit there are the audio cables, white, yellow and red. These were plugged into the respective three ports in the Sony DVd Recorder which I also have.
So.... I've unplugged the white and red cables from the dvd recorder and plugged into the back of the BTV Box. I have surround sound, but I cannot get a digital picture.
It all seems a little clunky and cumbersome, kind of wished I'd kept my original set up of the Sony system as it was easy, although I wanted the Vision packages.
Confused??? I am!!!
Ta for your help

Guilobo is correct, the yellow is the video out. You need a scart to composite audio phono cable or adaptor such as these examples:
http://goo.gl/8c6YE
http://goo.gl/RtTNW
I've seen them in pound shops and they come with XBoxes etc.

Creating 5.1 surround sound out of stereo audio

Hi,
I'm new to surround sound editing, so for the past few weeks I've been searching through internet how to create suround sound for my movie. I have a whole movie already done in Premiere Pro 5 (every scene in it's own squence). In these sequences I have stereo audio clips that create a complete stereo sound, but since this movie is going to go on film festivals I have to create surround sound.
Through my reasearch I came across many explanations of how to create it, but the more I read the more it confused me so I decidet to ask for help on this forum.
1. Is it posible to create surroundsound directly out of stereo audio (I know that the sequences that you are working in has to be set to surround sound) that I have in first, second and third chanel, that have surround sound controls above them in Audio mixer?
2. I know that in 5.1 chanels you can only inport 5.1 surround sound tracks. My question is, do I have to take each stereo clip, transform it in mono clip and then create a stereo clip out of that mono clip?
3. Did I completly miss the whole concept of creating surround sound and that I would have to do it diferently?
Thanks for helping out, Jaggarjack

To output to DD 5.1 SS, you will need an Encoder, like the Minnetonka Audio SurCode DD5.1 SS plug-in.
You can also use Audition (do not know about SB) to create 6-channel files (usually WMA w/ either 5, or 6 discrete channels, depending on how you handle the LFE). Still, to use such a set of files with Audio-Visual material, you will need an Encoder. Minnetonka Audio has others, like the SurCode DD 5.1 SS stand-alone and the DTS stand-alone.
If you have disassembled the original audio streams into mono sources, you can create faux 5.1 SS, and with a little work, it can be quite convincing. The 5.1 controls in a 5.1 Master Project, can be very useful for "creating" your sound stage. You can also use those to feed certain frequencies from other sources to the LFE, and to the Center channel. With good stereo in the Front speakers, you should already have a decent phantom Center, and can punch that up even more.
I would recommend starting with the Help File for "Surrond Sound," to get the basics down, plus the mechanics in PrPro. HERE is a little sample. You might also want to see the links in this PrPro-Wiki Search for more material.
The Recording Academy's Producers & Engineers' Recommendations for Surround Sound Production is useful paper.
I recommend three books:
Surround Sound, Second Edition: Up and Running, Tomlinson Holman (cannot find my copy for ISBN)
Instant Surround Sound, Jeffery Fisher, CMP Books ISBN 1-57820-246-9
Basics of Video Sound, Des Lyver, Focal Press ISBN 0-240-51561-7
That would be a good start.
Happy reading, and up-mixing,
Hunt

No 5.1 surround sound on X-Fi Titanium (intern

I am trying to get my X-Fi Titanium card on a new Dell XPS 420 computer to play 5. surround sound. The setup is simple. Optical out from the sound card going into optical in of Onkyo HT-S400 receiver. First I want to make sure the couple of assumptions I have are correct:
. SPDIF out means the digital optical connection from the optical out in the sound card.
2. If CMSS 3D is enabled and a stereo mp3 is played on the computer, ALL 5 speakers should have sound (a replication of stereo sound but played on all 5 speakers).
I see two devices in the Sounds icon -> Playback devices from system tray. Creative SB x-Fi speakers (This is default device and going to properties, default is stereo speakers though it can be configured to make it 5. channel but doing a test on it, the fi've sounds (LR, Center, FR, RR, RL come out of only the front two speakers) and SPDIF out (configure option is disabled and going to Properties -> Advanced it shows different 6 and 24 bit combinations of 2 channels, NO 5. channels available). I have "Gi've applications exclusi've control of this device" checked for both.
After changing the properties to 5. on Creative SB X-Fi speakers, if I go to Creative Audio Console (blue colored app) and do a channel test, the 5 sounds again come out of only the front two speakers even though the set up says 5. channels since I changed to that in system tray).
The only way all 5 speakers work is when I am playing a BluRay disc using PowerDVD. I had to explicitly make the SPDIF Out the default device and then select SPDIF from the Audio Setting within PowerDVD. Even then though it does produce 5. sound for the prei'vews before the movie (and once for the movie itself), the 5. gets disabled right after the FBI anti piracy warning now just before the movie begins.
I don't see an option for SPDIF pass through in Audio Console (I think) mentioned in the forum posts. Can someone please shed some light on this? Is this a driver issue (since I don't see 5. by default on Creative SB X-Fi speakers as well as SPDIF out -> Advanced) or am I missing some other setting? . My goal is to get sound from all 5 speakers for regular mp3's/music through CMSS and true 5. digital surround sound consistently from Blu-Ray discs using PowerDVD/any other software I might try.
Thanks for reading and I'll look forward to hearing from the helpful forum members!

So if these aren't Dolby pro logic tracks I am a bit confused here. Also, according to your explanation: once I change the language track using the menu from atv2, how can I ever reactivate the ac3 track if it does not show up in the menu?
Dolby Pro Logic I (passive) and II (active) audio is encoded in stereo normally as AAC tracks which do show up in the TV2 Chapter/Audio menu while I have never seen any AC3 audio track show up in the TV2 Chapter/Audio menu. As to switching between AC3 (in the DD5.1 "Auto" or "On" mode) to any of the AAC language tracks, I simply set the DD5.1 mode switch to "Off" and the currently defaulted AAC language track automatically plays and can be switched to any other available AAC language track using the TV2 Chapter/Audio menu. Turning the DD5.1 option back "on" or to the "Auto" mode re-engages AC3 audio playback on my system.
However, I have read about "only one 5.1 track" elsewhere (can't remember where). Do you have more info on this?
Have only tested one multi-AC3 track test file with English as the first DD5.1 language. As soon as I finish posting this, will go back and create a test file with English and French AC3 DD5.1 audio tracks reversed to see I can get the French audio to play. (Had previously tried changing the default menu and audio language settings on the TV2 device to see if that would change the AC3 DD5.1 language being played but it had no effect. If changing the AC3 track order also has no effect, will try changing the settings on the iTunes computer to see if that may control which AC3 language track is streamed to the TV2 device.

Mixing 5.1 surround sound on MacBook Pro

I've recently connected my MacBook Pro (purchased August 2007) to my DVD player in order to play 5.1 surround sound through the DVD speakers.
This all works fine when I play a DVD on my Mac in surround sound.
However, the main purpose of setting up this connection was so that I could mix surround sound using Soundtrack Pro, and be able to preview the mix whilst mixing. Unfortunately, I've now realised that the Optical Out connection on the MacBook Pro does not support 5.1 mixing and that therefore I am going to need an external surround sound card.
I've read that products such as Griffin Firewave are good solutions to the problem, however, they only exist in America...
I was wondering if anyone knew of any UK products that they could recommend? So far I've only been able to find ones that connect through USB. Would this affect in any way what I am trying to achieve?
Thanks in advance for your help and support.
Harrison

Thanks jgourd,
So what do I need to do to be able to mix in surround sound? So far, the only advice I've had from people (including people at the Regent Street Apple store) is to connect optically to my surround sound speakers. I think, generally, people are confused about MacBook Pro's ability to work with 5.1...
What connection should I be using instead of optical?
By the way, I've found that the Griffin FireWave product I was talking about is available on ebay for a very reasonable price. It plugs into the MacBook Pro by firewire and has 3 3.5mm stereo-mini-jacks outputting 3x2 (= 6) channels line level - so one for L/R, one for C/S and one for LS/RS.
Obviously these need to amplify into 6 speakers. Could I feed these connections to my DVD player? Or would I need to connect directly to a set of speakers?
I appologise if I'm asking stupid questions. But video editing is my "field" - the sound side is something I'm still aiming to get to grips with!
Thanks again for your help =]

Surround sound through HDMI?

All the new Mac models released in the past 12 months are supposed to be able to output multichannel audio through an HDMI connector. I have recently purchased a new MiniMac with an HDMI connector and was really looking forward to playing multichannel sound through one of my two Onkyo home theatre amplifiers. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. For one of the amplifiers (Onkyo TR SX576), the Audio Midi Setup application found an 8-channel device and named it TR SX576, but I was unable to get any sound played through the system.
For the other one, a slightly older model (TR SX506), which has a Samsung LCD attached, the Audio Midi Setup just reports HMDI (0in/2out) with "SAMSUNG" as the name. I can't output via the amplifier... it seems to just pass the audio though.
So, here's a simple question. Is there anyone who has succeeding in outputting multichannel sound via an HDMI cable to a home theatre amplifier? If so, what Mac, what amplifier? What is missing to allow Macs to talk with all home theatre amps via HDMI??

Hi levelg
levelg wrote:
Great. The only problem is that when I define 8channel sound, the amplifier doesn't do any surround sound processing, and so virtually everything that I can play on the Mac only comes out of two speakers . To get surround sound effects (Pro Dolby etc), I have to revert to 2ch-24bit and allow the amp to do the surround effects.
This reminds me of another question. Why on earth can't the Mac's Audio allow you to add surround sound processing directly?
I think the answer to your question is that using the HDMI would require the Mac to have an AC3 codec, which would take up to 6 channels of audio and then compress them into a Pro Dolby data stream which your amp could then decode. (This is actually the reverse of the "AC3 Codecs" that you might find available for download on the web). I believe that this software component would require a separate licence fee, and also might not work sufficiently fast in real time to avoid lip sync problems. It could also result in severe quality degradation in certain channels due to the amount of compression. You can't squeeze 6 channels into 2 and then back again without losing some quality along the way.
The result of this is that HDMI and TOSLINK connections from the Mac can play prerecorded surround sound from a DVD, etc, since this can be passed to the external decoder unchanged, but can't play audio generated on the fly by applications. (At least, that's what I've found - someone else might know differently)
I know from personal experience that it IS possible to buy an external USB 5.1 sound card to connect to a 5.1 audio system, and this will enable on the fly audio generation from applications. The same setup will also play surround sound DVDs, provided you use the alternative VLC DVD player.
All in all, the whole area of surround sound on Macs is extremely confusing! I'm worried that many users either buy the wrong equipment, or they buy the right equipment but then can't figure out the correct way to configure it. Such users inevitably end up frustrated and disappointed.
Bob

Apple TV and 5.1 surround sound

I have just bought an Apple TV and love it. I want to have 5.1 surround sound though and do not have a clue what to buy! I have done my usual research and am even more confused than I was several hours ago.
As I have a Sony TV/Blueray player (and hate remotes) I want a system I can control from my current remote (this would use Bravia Sync).
My issues are
1. The output I'd use on the Apple TV (I guess the optical?) and would the Sony receiver be able to decode it?
2. Does Apple TV decode its own 5.1 audio?
3. If it does do I need a full receiver and could it work with a set of computer 5.1 speakers?
4. If it doesn't which decoding system must the receiver have?
Oh and did I mention I'm a cheap-skate and don't want to pay much for the system! Although I will if I have to.

appletv will output 5.1 audio via HDMI or optical.
ideally you would connect the appletv to a suitable 5.1 amp (with suitable speakers).
the bluray player would also connect to the amp.
for me, i have all my devices connected to amp via HDMI and then have one HDMi cable running from the amp to the TV.

Not able to get the sound from my tv to come through my surround sound speakers

I have a new Samsung 46" tv and a new yamaha receiver also a new Samsung blu-ray player. I currently have an HDMI cable going from my tv to my receiver and a short HDMI cable going to my Blu-ray player and the old style red and white rca cables from my tv to my receiver. The surround sound works great when playing the blu-ray but no luck when watching regular tv. I have tried to change the tv speakers to external speakers but all is silent when i do that. I have read on the other post of similiar problems and the solution seemed to be using an optical digital cable. I have also read on prior post that i should be able to accomplish this with just the HDMI cable. I do not have a cable box only a cable line coming into the house and straight to the tv. Do i even need the rca cables?

When i purchased the equipment from best buy i told them what all i was trying to accomplish and this is the exact way i was told to make the connections keep in mind i know nothing when it comes to electronics so i wrote the instructions from the salesrep word for word. Here is what I have. My tv is located on one side of the room and receiver and blu-ray on the other about 25' from each other. I have regular cable coming to the tv and I have an HDMI cable coming from HDMI (DVI- IN) on the tv to HDMI(OUT) on my RX-V367 receiver. the i have a short HDMI cable going from my receiver (HDMI/DVD) to my blu-ray (HDMI out). My RCA cables came into play when I told the rep. that I wanted my tv sound to come through my surround sound. He said they did not have a digital optical cable with a length of 25' to reach from tv to receiver so I would have to use RCA cables and to connect them from (audio component IN) on my tv to (AV OUT) on my tv. The input on my receiver when watching tv in on HDMI 1.

Guide : Getting 5.1 surround sound. Audigy 2

Hi all
I thought I would write up a really quick but effecti've and simple guide for owners of the Audigy2 ZS and seeing how its Xmas time, I can assume a few lucky boys and girls may have this awesome card under the tree.
Most of whats covered should work with all creative products.
(Sorry, but I WILL NOT cover any info regarding encoding media or the like that will conflict with copyright laws)
This guide is for setting up your Creative Audigy 2 ZS for surround sound 5. reproduction and information in regards to required Filters/Codecs. I have not included any advanced set up options or the like as the ZS with the set ups I have incluced here will cover it out of the box.
One of the most common issues people may have with 5. not fuctioning correctly while playing a DVD movie ( Mpeg ) or any multi channel media that is 5. encoded, has to do with Codecs/Filters.
Most media players will not decode all AC3filters/Mpeg, thus require extra filters/codecs/plugins to be installed.
Ok , the first thing to do is ensure your sound card and speakers are set up correctly.
Most common speaker sets have 3 plugs that go in the back of your card .
EG, Logitech X-530. Pink = Front Centre.Black = Rear left and right. Green = Front left and right.
Ensure they are in the correct place and are tightly fitted.Ensure your sound card is secure and tightly in place.Make sure your speaker cables are tidy and not a big tangled mess.
Ensure in device audio controls that SPDIF passthrough is NOT ticked as this is for optical output ( the ZS pro with rack fuction )
Update to the latest drivers an media source ap
ps.
A few little things to set up first in Creative Mixer Control Panel to ensure cleaner sound:
Lower Master and Wav volume in Creative mixer to about 90% as to avoid any over dri've disstortion.Lower Master Bass Volume to about 90% to avoid over powering the bass.Ensure that your speaker settings Windows control panel and Creative speaker settings match your speaker set up..
Also run the THX Speaker Callibration test in basic mode.
YOU SHOULD DISSABLE CMSS IN EAX CP IN ORDER TO GET 5. TO FUCTION AS IT SHOULD.
CMSS is to be use only for a MONO or STEREO source/signal. It is for sending the stereo/mono signal ( left and right) to all speakers. This is not 5., mearly it is the same signal sent to all speakers to give you a more rich and vivid sound reproduction of an other wise flat source.
Turn off any EAX FX.
Things you want to do to ensure stable use:
SHUT DOWN CTHELPER:
A background task that is a plug-in manager for Creative drivers. A 3rd party manufacturer can use the CTHELPER plug-in interface to produce drivers, add-on features, and fixes that will integrate with a tighter fit with Creative?s sound drivers and utilities. Gi'ven its purpose CTHELPER would normally be classified as a "leave alone" background task. It also allows Creative speaker setup to be synchronized with Windows Control Panel speaker setting. Without it running that check box in Creative speaker setting is not functional (settings are not in sync). Unfortunately there are often problems with CTHELPER, most notably that it can use 00% of CPU time so it's best left disabled unless you REALLY need it .
Type in run "msconfig" and shut down all Creative Start up entries. Infact its proberly best to shut everything down.
NOTE: Any essentinal Software for the proper fuction of devices ,Eg: Razer mouse utils should be left on.
Simple Bios settings to help improve audio and stablity:
Dissable Pallette Snoop.ANY AND ALL shadows for devices, EG VGA BIOS and system bios should be dissabled. If you have the setting for PCI latency in your bios ( AGP boards only ) set it to 64, if its already at 64 try 32 .
Shut down ( remove, reconmended ) any 3rd party tweak apps that run in the background.
EG, Cache Man and any monitoring software.
Ok, now for Filters/Codecs and Plugins.
A major required Filter is AC3. (ac3filter__0a_rc5)
AC3Filter - it is DirectShow filter for AC3 decoding to play AVI with AC3 audio tracks and MPEG2 (DVD). Required for WMP.
NOTE: If you have DVD software that should play encoded 5. then make sure you have any updates/patches for the player installed and go through the tools/options for the player and ensure its setup correctly to decode AC3filters in the applictions tools menu.
If you use Cyberlink Power DVD you may need to pay an extra fee to get the required AC3filter/MPEG2 decoders to fuction as all 5. sound settings may be greyed out on some dated versions.
InterVideo WIN DVD ( this software suit comes with most "Asus" if not all makes of Mainboards. This suit comes complete with the required codecs/filters so get full surrport for 5. - 6. - 7. out of the box. Note: you must set it up first under audio options as it defualts to 2..
If you use WMP0 you should download and install the AC3filter or get the latest XP codec/filters packs. With out these filters you may not get 5. sound and/or poor reproduction.
Supported file types:
The following table lists the file types (formats) supported by Windows Media Player .(For files type played by Power DVD or WIN DVD please refer to the makers website or read me file for a detailed list).
File type (format) File name extension .
Music CD Playback (CD audio) .cda Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF) .aif, .aifc, and .aiff Windows Media audio and video files .asf, .asx, .wax, .wm, .wma, .wmd, .wmp, .wmv, .wmx, .wpl, and .wvx Windows audio and video files .avi and .wav Windows Media Player skins .wmz Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) .mpeg, .mpg, .mv, .mp2, .mpa, .mpe, .mp2v*, and .mpv2 Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) .mid, .midi, and .rmi AU (UNIX) .au and .snd MP3 .mp3 and .m3u DVD video .vob Macromedia Flash .swf Microsoft Recorded TV Show .dvr-ms*
NOTE: WMP defualts to 2.. To enable 5. run WMP0. Click on tools then point to options. Navigate to DVD then open up the advanced window. In here is everything you need to set things up.
NOTE: If you mess things up simply return to defult settings and start over.
Some common errors you may encounter with WMP.
Error messages are identified by numerical IDs, such as C00D0BC2 and 800704CF. You can determine the ID of a specific error message by clicking the More Information or Web Help button on the error message when you encounter it. The resulting page will indicate the error ID.
: Error's C00D6A and C00D9A while playing DVD's or MPEG-2 content.
This is directly related to either your current video card drivers or the MPEG-2/DVD decoder you have installed (EG: PowerDVD, Win DVD etc ). Reinstalling and/or uninstalling the MPEG-2/DVD decoder (PowerDVD, Win DVD ) and/or video drivers should fix the problem for you.
You should now be able to re-install you decoder ( Power DVD etc ) and continue its use.
Erro : C00DAC:
Cannot play the file Windows Media Player cannot play the protected file because there is a problem with your sound device, such as a sound card or sound controller. You might encounter this error message for one of the following reasons.
Your sound device requires an updated driver. ( update driver )
The selected sound device does not support Secure Audio Path (SAP).
If you have multiple sound devices installed on your computer, try using a different one.
To use a different sound device, on the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Devices tab. Double-click Speakers, audio device to use, click a different device.
Error : "divide error in module IVIAUDIO.AX at".
Only exists in systems that have various Sound Blaster Li've sound cards and WinDVD installed.
This is infact a compatibility problem between these products. The problem is realized when MP3 oriented applications call upon certain sound card services making it look as though the error was raised from within the application in question.
FIX:Uninstall WIN DVD. Reinstall WMP and AC3 filter and then reinstall DVD WIN.
A simple but rare issue.
ModName.Win DVD "msvcrt.dll" and/or Win DVD MFC application error.
FIX:
Uninstall any java filters. Macromedia and Macromedia Acti'veX.
( to remove Acti'veX go to C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files and delete the Acti'veX )
What are codecs Codecs/Filters.
Codec stands for Coder/Decoder. Basically it is a piece of software or a driver that adds a support for certain video/audio format for your operating system. With codec, your system recognizes the format the codec is built for and allows you to play the audio/video file (=decode) or in some cases, to change another audio/video file into that format (=(en)code).
For example, when you install Windows to your home computer, Windows installs automatically most commonly used codecs into the system, so you don't have to download them separately from their vendors. However there are some codecs that are widely used, but not installed by Windows. Most notably DivX , MPEG-2.
Get all the Codecs/Filters/Plugins you could ever need from:
http://www.free-codecs.com/AC3_Filter_download.htm (ac3filter__0a_rc5)
http://www.free-codecs.com/
NOTE: ( XviD-.0.3-2022004 for Divx ) Stand alone codec for playing Divx instead of the Divx full install.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...0/default.aspx
Ok, you now should be all set.
However Codecs/Filters/Plugins are like any other kind of software installed and things can go wrong. If things are not working as they should try the following.
Download and install "Gspot"
http://gspot.headbands.com/download.htmlBuild 0307 - 23 KB Run the programme and simply point to system and select "List Codecs and other Filters"
Its a no brainer really to know whats what here and how to use it to find out the source of the issue, if you have one. If its red, its bad so you then need to trace the Filter/Codec to its source and remove it.
Here is just one very simple excample you may encounter and how it was fixed.
If you have ffdshow file is missing error pop up while running a player application, first go to C:\WINDOWS\system32 and search for ffdshow.en. Its proberly not here though. If it is just leave it be.
NOTE: ffdshow is used for AVI/Xvid enc/dec source.
To fix this "ffdshow Video Codec file is missing " error Simply uninstall your Xvid codec or your entire DivX programme, or any other Filter/Codec you have installed for playback of DivX files and AVI Video Files.
(Some times it seems a few Codecs/Filters dont get along so you must be aware of what you install).
Cheak "Gspot" again and Filter should be removed from the list.
Now you can reinstall the Xvid filter "XviD-.0.3-2022004" or your desired DivX programme.
Now go back toC:\WINDOWS\system32 and search for ffdshow.en. It should be there if it was not before. If the issue is back try a different version of required Filter.
So, thats just excample of a simple fix that got everything working again. Its not to hard to find out what the problem Codec/Filter is and then its just a case of uninstalling it. You can re-install the Codec/Filter but you should double cheak with "Gspot" and ensure the issue has not repeated itself .
If it has you can try and find out if the issue is related to another type filter causing a conflict or use an alternate Filter/Codec that will perform the same task .
Search for an updated version of required the Codec/Filter also.
Ok, thats pretty much the basics in getting correct and stable 5. sound working the way it should with your new Creative Audigy 2 ZS sound card.
I hope this has been of help.
Regards,xmn.
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 08:02 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 08:04 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 08:05 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 08:05 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 08:09 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 09:29 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-26-2005 03:07 PM

BUMP, just incase its been missed by a new board member

How do I connect my Apple TV to my Philips surround sound DVD system?

I can't seem to get surround sound when watching Apple TV (or when watching live or recorded TV via my Virgin Tivo). I use a three-years old Philips DVD home surround system to get surround sound when I'm watching Blu-Ray (I have connected my Philips Blu-ray and my Philips DVD player without difficulty). But I can't figure out how to get surround sound whne watching Apple TV. I bought an optical cable with an audio jack on one end, to connect to the DVD player and the optical end clicks into the ATV. Still nothing. Any ideas?

The surround system seems to support digital audio - it has settings for HDMI audio and video (even though it doesn't actually have an HDMI port) I bought the optical/audio cable on the advice of a staff member in the Apple Store, but frankly, she didn't see, to understand my problem. She recommended I insert the cable into the "MP3 cable IN" port but that' not working.
I'm probably not explaining myself very well - bottom line: I have a DVD surround system and an Apple TV, so how do I connect them?

How can I connect my apple TV to my surround sound system without running any extra cables?

I have my Apple TV connected to my TV via HDMI. The TV is connected to an auxiliary box that outputs sound to house speakers. I don't want to run any additional wires because of the distance to my auxiliary box and the fact all my wires now run through the wall. Also the auxiliary box lacks any extra HDMI ports.
On cable, the TV sound plays surround sound, but on the Apple TV sound plays from the TV itself.
Is there any way to alter settings on the TV (LG LB6100 Smart TV) to change the sound source?

if you have a router and set it up for wifi and have ethernet plugged in then point your iPhone to that router and it will connect to the ATV.

Surround sound confusion

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