HDMI sound output problems

[AdeonC]

HDMI sound output problems (channels & unwanted system deactivation)

I am astonished by how primitive the Windows 7 sound system is.

The setup:
An HDMI cable connects a Radeon HD 6870 to my Samsung TV.
I use the TV for both video and audio output.

Windows seems to detect whether the output device supports audio and how many audio channels it has. The problem is, it does that in a very unwise way.

If I turn my TV on, and then start Windows, things work fine.

Now, if I start Windows, and THEN turn my TV on, I get no audio. The only "fix" is to logoff and login again so that it re-checks the TV (now turned on), and sees it supports stereo audio output.

Even worse: if I turn my TV on, start Windows and for some reason turn the TV off, the sound gets disabled as well!

I have never seen a problem like this surface from the order of turning things on.

Sometimes I like to plug my PC into my Blu-Ray Home Theater. The wiring is very similar:
HDMI cable from the Radeon into a Sony BDV-E280 Home Theater.

It supports 5.1 audio. My card supports up to 7.1 channels output through HDMI, and I have tested two different HDMI cables.

However, added to the previously specified audio problems, for some reason Windows thinks the output source (the 5.1 home theater) has only two channels, so all I get is STEREO.

I have tried updating drivers, even downloading different drivers, searching for some hacks that could solve it at all...

I found a thread once of a guy who had the exact same problem and got it to work on Linux with some fancy console code.

Given this is primary an OS issue, the solution would be to force Windows 7 to output all the 6 channels uninterruptedly.

Any Windows 7 experts or hackers could give me a lift on this?

Thanks.

 

[AdeonC]

Just to add to the drama: today I left my TV on the whole evening, uselessly wasting its capacitors and shortening the screen lifetime, while I was out so that I wouldn't have to deal with the sound problem when I get back home.

That's a major OS design flaw and I haven't seen anyone that had any of these problems ever finding a solution.
Your help may help many others as well.

Thanks!

 

[carwiz]

By specification, HDMI is two channel audio. If you want more, you need to use S/PDIF out and a decoder capable audio device. Some devices with HDMI input "fudge" the extra channels by delay or frequency changes but PC HDMI output is Stereo. It has nothing to do with the OS. If your PC audio output device and drivers will allow it, you can get up to a combined 10.1 channels through the output jacks on most PCs. Even with Windows.

As for your sound disappearing, it could be that you have selected the display device to be the default audio output. If you disable the device, Windows will disable the output since it no longer exists. You should review your setup and determine the best options for your needs but I would suggest that you change the default output to the system speakers. When you want the video device (TV) to be the primary audio output device, change it back. It takes all of one right click and a few left clicks to accomplish this.

 

[AdeonC]

Hello carwiz!

Strangely enough, if I play a movie (say, from a DVD) with 5.1 audio on Windows Media Player it outputs all 6 channels to the home theater. I think we can safely assume that my hardware does supports surround sound, so the problem must be caused by faulty software (which I think has to do with the Windows sound system).

I guess it works on WMP because of some specific configuration of the player that overrides the system audio output.
The problem is, I want not only to watch movies but also to play games and use sound editing software with surround sound, and they fail to detect my surround system if the OS wrongly specifies my output as STEREO.

As for the other problem, let me illustrate what goes on

This is my system working as it should:

Then I turn my TV off/on (it's instantaneous, notice the difference of 1 minute in the clock) and my HDMI Output gets permanently disabled until I go to the logon screen or reboot.

(on a side note: the default "Digital Audio (HDMI)" never worked for me, so I just disabled it)

I don't use speakers, there's nothing connected to the mobo 3.5mm jack. My primary and only sound device is my TV through a HDMI cable.

Thanks.

 

[rgmmm]

Same here, after recent update

I have a Zotac ZBox PC with an AMD fusion e-350 processor hooked up to a tv via hdmi. This same problem just started happening to me recently - I have to sign off and log back in to fix the audio every time the tv shuts off. I think it started with the Catalyst Control Center 12.3 update about a week ago, but it's unclear because I also installed a bunch of windows updates then too. Catalyst 12.4 is out now, I'll let you know how that goes.

 

[AdeonC]

I have a Zotac ZBox PC with an AMD fusion e-350 processor hooked up to a tv via hdmi. This same problem just started happening to me recently - I have to sign off and log back in to fix the audio every time the tv shuts off. I think it started with the Catalyst Control Center 12.3 update about a week ago, but it's unclear because I also installed a bunch of windows updates then too. Catalyst 12.4 is out now, I'll let you know how that goes.

Hello! I too have catalyst. I updated it as well and the problem still occurs.

Could it be it's being caused by amd drivers?

 

[rgmmm]

Where to point the blame

I don't know whether the problem is due to AMD drivers or Windows itself. I've also seen people blame the "hdmi handshake" from the TV itself, but because this is a new problem to me, I don't believe it's the TV's fault. I'll try to restore a System Restore point from last month tonight. Upgrading to Catalyst 12.4 made no difference. I didn't see any options in the BIOS related to HDMI audio.

If that doesn't work, then I'm going to use this as an excuse to purchase a digital audio receiver and some speakers and just use the SPDIF connection. But I *really* wish I could get this fixed.

 

[rgmmm]

I restored a May 8th system restore point and now hdmi audio works fine again for me. I'll try updates a little at a time over the next few days. I'm running Catalyst 12.3 now, which is the same as when i was having the problem, so I now believe this is a Windows Update problem.

 

[AdeonC]

Thanks for the testing. I'd love to hear from you when you find out what caused this problem.
Also, glad to hear it's not an AMD driver problem.

 

[Rob A]

This is the exact same problem I have

 

[ManOwar2]

I have an Radeon HD 6870 double fan, XFX Black Edition. When I switched to 12.4 I had to problems :

1) the CCC does not detect correctly that I am on 12.4 and keep showing it is 12.3 asking for an update, tried to install it 3-4 times but it dont matter the problem is recurrent. However, my system detect 12.4 and is functionnaly normally, or almost...(see number 2)

2) I lose HDMI audio everytime I boot my computer. I have to unplug and replug the hdmi cable on my video card. Pretty annoying.

The only solution is either to do that trick, or to revert to 12.3

Apparently 12.4 also have problem running Diablo 3. 12.4 is not a reliable driver.

The best solution is : Revert to 12.3 or wait 12.5 for the problem to be fixed. (the 12.5 beta have been leaked on the internet, google it)

 

[supergokougt]

This was driving me crazy since I want my family to be able to use this without having to change settings.

My setup:
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
AMD Radeon HD 5450
HDMI going from my AMD card to my Vizio TV

What I did to finally fix this:

1. First I followed this link - How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows 7 / Vista

2. Opened device manager, went to sounds, uninstalled all drivers for each sound option I had.

3. Downloaded CCC 12.3 - AMD Catalyst 12.3 pre WHQL driver download from Guru3D.com

I didnt check with 12.4 but I bet it would work.

4. Opened it and did an uninstall of AMD software.

5. After reboot; went back to this link: How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows 7 / Vista

and did the opposite. at this point windows didn't try to install any drivers. You can check this by going to device manager and looking for the warning symbols.

6. Installed CCC 12.3

This fixed my problem of losing sound when I would turn the tv on and off.

7. I then went back into device manager and installed the drivers for my other sound features that were not part of AMD.

 

[supergokougt]

By specification, HDMI is two channel audio. If you want more, you need to use S/PDIF out and a decoder capable audio device. Some devices with HDMI input "fudge" the extra channels by delay or frequency changes but PC HDMI output is Stereo. It has nothing to do with the OS. If your PC audio output device and drivers will allow it, you can get up to a combined 10.1 channels through the output jacks on most PCs. Even with Windows.

As for your sound disappearing, it could be that you have selected the display device to be the default audio output. If you disable the device, Windows will disable the output since it no longer exists. You should review your setup and determine the best options for your needs but I would suggest that you change the default output to the system speakers. When you want the video device (TV) to be the primary audio output device, change it back. It takes all of one right click and a few left clicks to accomplish this.[/QUOTE

I have read people get theirs working with hdmi and 7.1

The problem I think people have is there TV is in-between their surround sound device; computer, TV then receiver. The TV itself only has two speakers and the computer reads that info and will only deliver 2 channels.

Trying to sell my old stuff with no hdmi. Then try going to my receiver first and tv second. Probably run into a video problem.

 

[AdeonC]

The problem I think people have is there TV is in-between their surround sound device; computer, TV then receiver. The TV itself only has two speakers and the computer reads that info and will only deliver 2 channels.

Not my case. My setup is PC -> Home Theater -> TV.

It's directly connected to my HT, which is 5.1. Even so, stupid Windows outputs only two channels. Still haven't figured out how to fix this :sa:

I'm sick and tired of having to deal with lame problems daily because of Windows bad engineering.
[/whining]

 

[Rob A]

Just installed the 12.6 beta version and it fixed the problem of losing the audio
on the HDMI output when the TV is turned off and on.

AMD Catalyst

 

[TheoViset]

Audio output changed

Hiall,

I have a similar problem, although i am not sure whether this is the right thread.

I have Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and an AMD graphics card with HDMI connection for sound and graphics.

HDMI is connected to my Marantz amplifier, just as my tv decoder and my BD player. A single HDMI cable is connected to my TV, so my amp decides which source is displayed on the TV.

Since a while, when I switch on my PC, the audio output is automatically set to the onboard Realtek audio output. However, this is audio only, so I need the AMD Audio on the video board, to which the HDMI is connected. Windows Sounds in the Control Panel indicates that the AMD output is not connected. When I unplug and plug the HDMI cable it selects the correct output. This happens every time I switch on the PC. I already updated the drivers and Catalyst, no luck.

A friend of mine uses the onboard HDMI connection with Intel Display Audio driver, and has exactly the same problem.

Anyone?

 

[eduede]

I now need to join this thread. Here's my problem (since it will also act as a bump we might get some fresh input).

My set up PC->Vizio Sound Bar -> Vizio TV - >

The PC output is an amd radeon HD card. HDMI out. This is carrying both video and audio.

So, say I open win media player and play a song. Now, if I turn off my tv (as all I want is to listen to music), it cuts the sound. when I turn the tv back on to see what happened, windows has disabled the audio (and rescaled the video)... What I want to do is be able to turn off the TV when listening to music (since the HDMI cable is connected directly to the sound bar I don't see what the tv has to do with it). Nevertheless, if I turn off the tv, my audio get's disabled (even though the sound bar is still on).

I have all the latest radeon drivers and catalyst control center...

Please help... US!

 

[paddymaxson]

Step 1.
Uninstall all current drivers graphics, including the realtek HDMI one. In programs and features you can click "change" on ATI install manager and it'll have an option to get rid of all of it.

Step 1. Update to the latest drivers (I couldn't recommend 12.6 or the 12.7 Beta at all but the just out in the last few days 12.8 has been fantastic for me graphically speaking)
AMD Support & Drivers

Step 2. Follow this guide on how to set your minimum clock speeds (where the guide shows you 30000, you want roughly 50%-60% of your maximum clock speed set as the minimum, the figure there is 300.00 mhz (not 30,000) In my case this was 500 MhZ for my 7970, your mileage may vary).
[Updated]AMD/ATi 2D Clock Guide - techPowerUp! Forums

That should fix it. The problem seems to be that the card is going into a sort of "inactive" move when the clocks drop too low, so setting the minimum clock higher stops this. You should only need to do this on the card the HDMI is attached to if you're using crossfire. This doesn't happen in some older driver versions because the way these clocks set is different in some of them, apparently.