Audio output via Nvidia GPU's HDMI connection.
Audio output via Nvidia GPU's HDMI connection.
I’m trying to configure a home theater system with 5.1 and eventually 7.1 surround sound using my PC. My main connection is via HDMI through the GPU straight to an AV receiver that supports 7.1. I also have a sound card installed, which might be interfering. Disabling it doesn’t seem to resolve the problem. I’ve tested various arrangements, but nothing has worked. Here’s the equipment I’m using:
AV Receiver: Pioneer VSX-LX101
GPU: RTX 2080 Ti
Sound Card: STRIX SOAR (believing this is the only model)
I’ve looked into creating an edited EDID file, though instructions are unclear. Below is a summary of my attempts:
- Display Port to HDMI via GPU. Audio set to 5.1 in both Windows and STRIX app.
- HDMI to HDMI through GPU. Still using STRIX.
- HDMI to HDMI with STRIX disabled.
- HDMI to HDMI with STRIX enabled, Nvidia sound turned off.
- Display Port to HDMI via Integrated Graphics with STRIX sound.
- All audio devices except built-in HD audio have been disabled.
Nothing has functioned properly. I’m facing a serious issue and need guidance.
Typically it's straightforward. I've used an Nvidia 1080Ti with Yamaha Rx1800 7.1 amplifier.
In Windows playback devices, do you have the Nvidia high definition audio device with a TV icon to set as the default?
When installing the Geforce driver, there are audio components—often by default they're ticked off. You might want to reinstall and verify.
The correct audio device is chosen in the Windows settings.
It’s important to note that I’m receiving audio, but it remains in stereo only. The surround sound speakers aren’t being used at all. I can hear everything clearly, yet the surround sound feature isn’t working.
I recently performed a fresh installation of the newest "game ready" drivers, but that didn’t resolve the issue.
Oh ok. So the speaker configure window for Nvidia High Def entry in playback devices doesn't give surround sound 5.1/7.1 options? Or it does and your Amp is picking it up? If it's the latter, Windows side of things should be working if surround channels are selectable, means Amp side a setting like surround decode. On my Amp remote has surround decode button which puts it into PCM mode.
Launch the old Control Panel Sound application. Choose the Default Device and click the Properties button. Go to the Supported Formats tab and examine the Encoded Formats dialog box. You should notice a list of Dolby and DTS formats, possibly up to nine. If this list isn't visible, it may indicate a Windows issue. Additionally, you might need to completely remove your Strix card from the motherboard to prevent interference during the process.
The audio configuration is configured for 5.1 across both windows and the soundcard. The same settings appear correct in the AV Receiver. With alternative inputs like Bluetooth, all speakers function properly.
During sound tests in playback devices, do you receive separate speaker outputs? After choosing 5.1, clicking a speaker in the image indicates this setup.
With Nvidia selected as the default playback device set to 5.1 or is this the sound card? That sound card only provides virtual surround, while the AVR can only detect native 2.1 channels from it. Sound cards using Dolby Digital Live, where channels are encoded and compressed on the fly, would cause the AVR to pick up and decode multiple channels over optical, which is too bandwidth-limited—only 2.1 uncompressed can be handled. This situation seems unavoidable.
Nvidia surround should function if set as default playback. A surround test should succeed and capture all channels without additional adjustments. If it does, actual surround sound from the content will depend on the source; games typically support it, but YouTube does not. Netflix does?