HTPC HDMI crackling audio and no 7.1 HELP!

Velocitydreamer
Velocitydreamer Posts: 252
edited March 2012 in Troubleshooting
First off, thank you to anyone who can lend a hand... all helps appreciated, whether the advice works or not.
I am currently using Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit and I have an ASUS p5q and am running a power color hd4870 1gb. I installed the HDMI 2.67 Realtek audio driver and the latest ati catalyst 12.2. I am currently using the dvi-to-hdmi adapter and running it directly into my 7.1 receiver, and then out to my tv. There are two problems I run into. First, after a short bit, I start getting a random/sporatic popping/crackling sound that happens about once every 2 seconds throughout every speaker in the system. I've heard of such an issue, but never really found any resolution that worked. Second, I CANNOT get an HDMI driver that will show 7.1... I've found 5.1 through the ati audio driver, but everytime I go into the windows speaker configure (and the realtek driver, though the realtek driver doesn't actually work and only shows stereo in configure speakers) I only have the "stereo, quadrophonic, and 5.1" options... this system is perfectly setup for 7.1, speakers and all... there's no reason for it not to work. So, when I set it to 5.1, I click next and the side speakers are greyed (might be rears... SHOULD be rears)... so yeah, objectives: get rid of crackling sound and enable 7.1. If I can remedy these two problems, I will be in heaven :D All help is greatly appreciate guys & ladies. I really want to find a resolution...
LivingRoom
Source: HTPC
Display: GT720 (on the wall)
Receiver: HK AVR1700
L/R: RS850 Signature
Center: RSC200 Signature
SS: Onix Rocket ELT DPA
Sub: SVS PB1-ISD

2 Channel (in the making)
Source: TBA
Amplification: TBA (Integra 2.1 interim)
Speakers: AV123 Onix Rocket Strata Mini
Post edited by Velocitydreamer on
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Comments

  • unclebiskabobka
    unclebiskabobka Posts: 109
    edited March 2012
    I'm not entirely sure how you would go about changing the settings on the video card to accommodate what you're wanting, but one thing you might consider is getting a 7.1 sound card that has an optical out port. Something like this could work, I believe. Bypassing the audio port on the video card might take away some of the problem. Also, in all likelihood, having a dedicated sound card would give you better audio quality, and could alleviate the popping/crackling sound. Also that might solve the problem of it not registering as a 7.1 device. You could simply run the video through the HDMI cable, and then the sound through the optical.

    If you do go with that route, then be sure you find a sound card that is compatible with 7-64 bit, it's pretty hard to find one. I don't think even the one I linked to is compatible, I'm just using it as a reference.
    TV - LG 42" LED
    Receiver - Pioneer VSX-521
    Front speakers - Polk Monitor 40's Series II
    Center - Polk Monitor CS1 Series II
    Surround - Polk Audio OWM3
    Subwoofer - JBL L8400P


    "I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me-like food or water."
    ~Ray Charles~
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  • Tbone289
    Tbone289 Posts: 661
    edited March 2012
    It sounds like something is screwy with your drivers. I know you're up to date on the drivers, but the first thing I would try is uninstall and reinstall the realtek and ATI audio drivers. I believe the hd4870 will bitstream AC3 and DTS audio, so adding a sound card should really only benefit you for the lossless codecs. That is, if you're bitstreaming and using your receiver for decoding the audio tracks, rather than the video card.
    2.1: PC>Schiit Gungnir MB>Schiit Freya Noval>NAD C-270>Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1, HSU STF-2 5.1: HDMI Bitstream>Denon AVR-1910>polkaudio RTE55, CS350-LS, RT3, HSU STF-2, Visio M55-F0
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  • Velocitydreamer
    Velocitydreamer Posts: 252
    edited March 2012
    Tbone289 wrote: »
    It sounds like something is screwy with your drivers. I know you're up to date on the drivers, but the first thing I would try is uninstall and reinstall the realtek and ATI audio drivers. I believe the hd4870 will bitstream AC3 and DTS audio, so adding a sound card should really only benefit you for the lossless codecs. That is, if you're bitstreaming and using your receiver for decoding the audio tracks, rather than the video card.

    I got the crackling to stop.... I uninstalled the ati driver, my audigy sound card driver, and the realtek driver, reinstalled the Realtek 2.67 hdmi driver, rebooted into bios, disabled onboard audio entirely, booted, and now I have crystal clear audio via.... 5.1 -.- WHERE is it where I can configure 7.1 (it is entirely possible, I believe it's PCM) it's driving me crazy... cracking down, 7.1 now the obstacle. 7.1 Audio over HDMI would have better quality in this situation correct being that the source is digital and stays digital through the entire process? Sorry, I'm new to a lot of this...
    LivingRoom
    Source: HTPC
    Display: GT720 (on the wall)
    Receiver: HK AVR1700
    L/R: RS850 Signature
    Center: RSC200 Signature
    SS: Onix Rocket ELT DPA
    Sub: SVS PB1-ISD

    2 Channel (in the making)
    Source: TBA
    Amplification: TBA (Integra 2.1 interim)
    Speakers: AV123 Onix Rocket Strata Mini
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  • Tbone289
    Tbone289 Posts: 661
    edited March 2012
    Well done disabling the onboard sound!

    Yes, the ideal situation is to have the 7.1 digital audio bitstream through HDMI to your receiver, then your receiver decodes the audio. You should have a screen like this when you configure your ATI audio playback device:

    Capture.JPG
    2.1: PC>Schiit Gungnir MB>Schiit Freya Noval>NAD C-270>Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1, HSU STF-2 5.1: HDMI Bitstream>Denon AVR-1910>polkaudio RTE55, CS350-LS, RT3, HSU STF-2, Visio M55-F0
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  • Velocitydreamer
    Velocitydreamer Posts: 252
    edited March 2012
    mine only goes to 5.1 which is so aggrivating lol... I ended up doing 8ch direct via motherboard... i just COULDN'T seem to get 7.1 through the hdmi... if ANYONE has advice on how i can, let me know... I'm going crazy, I want it through the hdmi badly and am considering a newer card... pisses me off, the 4870 CLAIMS 7.1 buut yeah, idk... looking at pioneer's vsx-1121-k and maybe a HD5xxx-7xxx... is Master Audio / True HD best decoded by the computer's gfx card or by the receiver is better? need accurate answer on that question as I think it'll make a major difference on my purchasing... and if I get a gfx card that does it, will the receiver pass the info on as uncompressed or? show as pcm?
    LivingRoom
    Source: HTPC
    Display: GT720 (on the wall)
    Receiver: HK AVR1700
    L/R: RS850 Signature
    Center: RSC200 Signature
    SS: Onix Rocket ELT DPA
    Sub: SVS PB1-ISD

    2 Channel (in the making)
    Source: TBA
    Amplification: TBA (Integra 2.1 interim)
    Speakers: AV123 Onix Rocket Strata Mini
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  • Velocitydreamer
    Velocitydreamer Posts: 252
    edited March 2012
    and btw, how do you like the psw505? I just bought a klipsch rw-12, and seem to like it, but was also considering the psw505, and maybe still the psw505 for the parent's surround sound I'm building. Is it veneer or solid wood? any polk subs with solid wood like the normal Rti's?
    LivingRoom
    Source: HTPC
    Display: GT720 (on the wall)
    Receiver: HK AVR1700
    L/R: RS850 Signature
    Center: RSC200 Signature
    SS: Onix Rocket ELT DPA
    Sub: SVS PB1-ISD

    2 Channel (in the making)
    Source: TBA
    Amplification: TBA (Integra 2.1 interim)
    Speakers: AV123 Onix Rocket Strata Mini
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter