Realtek Stereo Mix...Can't record

[multielvi]

Suddenly I am no longer able to record audio with any programs. I have been using Cyberlink and/or AVS to record VHS and camcorder tapes for years. I have also used Audacity to record audio. Now all of a sudden I cannot.

I am not very tech savvy, but can usually figure things out eventually. This has me stumped. I haven't changed anything. My speakers work fine so it is an input problem. Stereo mix is enabled and is my default for recording. Properties shows that this device is working properly. I also have the latest driver version. I tried troubleshooter and was told the peripheral is not plugged in. I use a Kworld device to capture video. It is definitely plugged in. It captures video fine but not audio on either program. I do not use any peripherals with Audacity. It will not record audio whether streaming from the net or from a program such as Itunes.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am at a loss.

 

[fireberd]

Refresh the sound device. Go to the Device Manager, RIGHT click on the entry for your sound card (e.g. Realtek or whatever) and then LEFT click "Uninstall". DO NOT uninstall the driver. Then restart the PC and when windows starts it will detect and reinstall the sound. This usually corrects any Windows/Sound corruptions.

 

[multielvi]

@fireberd. I tried it. I saw that windows reinstalled the sound but nothing changed. I should note that all of the capturing programs recognize stereo mix as the audio input, but still no sound. Properties still advises that the device is working properly. One thing that I noticed is that under "levels" in the properties tab the speaker icon was muted. When I unmuted it I got a loud fluttering sound. When I again tried to capture some video, the only sound that recorded was the fluttering, nothing from the tape.

 

[fireberd]

Does this problem ONLY happen with the video capture program? How about if you try to record streaming audio from the Internet?

 

[multielvi]

Does this problem ONLY happen with the video capture program? How about if you try to record streaming audio from the Internet?

It also happens with streaming audio. That is why I am perplexed. If it was only the video I would have focused on the capture device. I have been recording both audio and video for years with no problem. All of a sudden I can't.

Thanks for your interest and assistance.

 

[fireberd]

This could even be a hardware problem with the sound chip.

Do a complete reinstall. First make sure you have the correct hardware sound driver for Win 7 (or Vista). Then Uninstall the sound driver and drivers in the Device Manager. Restart and Windows should install the generic High Definition Audio Device (Driver). Check operation with this driver. You won't have Stereo Mix but mic or line in should work. If that works OK, install the hardware sound driver and check for proper operation.

(I used to live in Laurel).

 

[multielvi]

This could even be a hardware problem with the sound chip.

Do a complete reinstall. First make sure you have the correct hardware sound driver for Win 7 (or Vista). Then Uninstall the sound driver and drivers in the Device Manager. Restart and Windows should install the generic High Definition Audio Device (Driver). Check operation with this driver. You won't have Stereo Mix but mic or line in should work. If that works OK, install the hardware sound driver and check for proper operation.

(I used to live in Laurel).

Unfortunately I have no microphone or analog device (line in) to test the reinstall. My video capture device has a USB connection. Do you recommend that I try the procedure (uninstall sound driver and drivers in device manager) anyway? Also how do I determine what is the correct hardware sound driver for stereo mix?

Thanks again

 

[fireberd]

You can determine/get the correct sound driver from HP for your specific model.

Is the video capture device totally USB? If it is then usually the PC's sound card is not used and it records directly to the hard drive, however if the monitor audio is bad, it could be a problem in the USB device.

As there seems to be several problems, I would still do the uninstall I mentioned. Let Windows install the generic driver and see how that acts and then install the correct sound hardware driver.

The Device Manager may list what you have. Here is mine for an example (I have Realtek for the sound).

 

[torchwood]

sound from line-in

you could try this, if youve got headphones, and a line in jack.

You should then get sound in your headphones, i use it on my lappy as my headphones jack is borked.
screenshot shot of audio manager
with jack unplugged/plugged.
right clicked top blue dot to open inset

That should check if your hardware is ok
Roy

 

[multielvi]

I tried everything that has been suggested. I am now able to successfully record audio when I capture video. Also I can now see sound levels for Stereo Mix on the "recording" tab. Previously there were no levels visible. I still have a problem with Audacity. When I click the record button the sound becomes terribly distorted. Like a mix of echo, tremelo and vibrato. Perhaps that is another issue.

My primary purpose for this post was to fix the video capture problem and you have helped me with that. Thanks to torchwood and especially firebird for your assistance and patience, I truly appreciate it.