Windows 7: Audio Left/Right Channel

Hi guys,

I'm new here and I need some help with Windows 7. I have a HP Pavilion dv5-1234ca. I'm using IDT High Definition Audio CODEC. But if I go Properties > Levels > Speakers > Balance, when I want to listen to only the left channel, even if I turn down R channel, the audio i get from the left channel is a mix of left and right audio.

Sorry if it's really confusing, here's a scenario:
When one turns down right channel, you should be hearing 100% left audio on the left speaker.
but when I turn down right channel, I hear 50% left and 50% right audio on the left speaker.
I hope you guys get what i mean.



I want it to work because, for example, I want to listen to karaoke videos (this is a chinese karaoke video YouTube - ??? - ?? ktv)that has a left channel of music only, and a right channel of music + vocal.
right now it isn't working for me because no matter which channel i choose, it plays a mixed audio of both channels ):

please help me thanks!

It sounds like your driver/software isn't able to differentiate from left and right channel sound. Are you sure that you have your speakers set up for this? You may want to check for the newest drivers via the HP website.

This driver is from September of 2009, it's version 6.10.6225.0
IDT High-Definition Audio CODEC Driver HP Pavilion dv5-1234ca Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Here's a check list.

-Make sure you're set to output stereo and not 5.1 os 7.1 surround.
-Make sure your speaker plug is in all the way, the green jack is stereo output.
-Check your "Enhancements" make sure no special effects are on, reverb can

(Right click the microsoft speaker icon, select "playback devices", select your default playback device (Speakers), click on the properties button, look at the enhancements tab. Also if you have a custom audio panel, make sure no environments are active.

Ap

First question ... is the sound source you're listening to stereo?

Next ... are you using any special effects like "expand stereo" or "room compensation"... these things use phase change tricks to fool your hearing essentially placing both channels of stereo in both speakers but slightly out of phase.

Finally... in your Control Panel -> Sound -> Configure dialog are you set to setereo speakers?

So... first thing, turn off all special effects. Now pick a stereo source where you can clearly hear the difference between left and right channels... Two people talking one in each speaker would be ideal but lots of music has lead guitar on one side and rhythm guitar on the other (for example)... ALL music has things in common to both channels... drums, bass, organ, choral effects etc.

Try it again...

Thank you for all your help.

@notsograymatter
I already have the latest driver installed, but I think it's the driver that's causing one speaker to play both channels.

@Aphelion
1. how to I change to stereo output? I'm running windows 7
2. I'm using a laptop so I can't plug or unplug ):

@CommonTater
I dont think i'm using any effects and that's exactly what i'm trying to do: play a music video with different channels

1. (From Previous post) "Right click the microsoft speaker icon, select "playback devices", select your default playback device (Speakers), click on the **properties button."

**Same as above but you should see a configure button on the left. Make sure it's set to stereo and not one of the other options. If your audio driver has a custom configuration panel, look there as well.

2. This is why it helps to fill in your system specs... otherwise we have to look up the model.

I'm assuming this worked correctly before installing Win-7?
Some laptops use stereo hi-freq drivers and a single common low-frequency driver, this can mess up the stereo image. You can always check this by plugging in a set of headphones.

Ap

Thank you,

From the configuration menu, Stereo option is chosen as it's the only option available.
Sorry, I should've posted that in the first place. When I first bought the computer, it was windows vista and Left Right Channels worked correctly, after i installed the windows 7 upgrade (and it's HP OEM Genuine Upgrade), left and right channels started blending together. When I plug in a pair of headphones, left/right channels do work properly (l/r do not mix together)

and where can i find my system specs?

Headphones DO work correctly??

Indeed... unless your audio configuration has a mono speaker setting it sounds like a driver issue. Since 95% (most) of all Vista drivers are Windows 7 compatible I think I'd try an older driver.

You should have "System Information" in a folder named System Tools.

Ap

Yes, headphones do work correctly, it's only the laptop built in speakers that's causing this problem. Where can I find older drivers?

Here's a screenshot of my system information:
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/2379/captureifx.jpg

Thank you so much!

There's no guarantee Vista audio drivers will fix the situation, but might be worth a try.

Select your operating system HP Pavilion dv5-1234ca Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)


Ap