ATI 4870 - unable to get 5.1 audio from HDMI

17512 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by slowpokex2, Oct 15, 2009

TSur

Discussion Starter · Nov 13, 2008

I am trying to use the HDMI adaptor that comes with the 4870 and connect my computer to my TV to watch movies. I am running into the problem that it only will only give me the option to play in stereo (2 speakers) and not 5.1.

So my wiring is this. HDMI from PC to TV then optical audio cable from TV to 5.1 receiver.

I tried to find any info on this issue and found someone that said to download ATI HDMI realtek drivers so that 5.1 would show up. But no such luck for me.

Am I stuck with just stereo sound or what can I do or try?

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TOCTRTU

· #2 · Dec 12, 2008

Wow thats kinda cool i've been checking into the problem myself and came across this and that is the EXACT thing over here.

The audio sounds allot better than when i had it set up before. it would actually let me choose 5.1 but the test only played left and right even though ac3 would let me control it all.. I want to run through hdmi now and it already sounds better as is but i want my 5.1

If i come across somthin ill be back to let you know or you the same or anyone else who can help ?

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stumped

· #3 · Dec 12, 2008

yeah i was watching a mvie last friday through hdmi and i noticed i wasn't getting 5.1 audio playback. i even googled and they said it's because "you haven't installed the hdmi realtek driver" which i had for a fact installed. And in the windows sound location, windows states that the hdmi is only 2 channel. and i don't know why.

off topic: i was just about to create a thread like this.... lol.

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TOCTRTU

· #4 · Dec 12, 2008

I think that the problem has somthing to do with my tv not allowing the HDMMI cable to pass anything more than stereo audio through..?

So you would probably need to run the hdmi into your receiver then tv? IDK Im buying Actual PC 5.1 then i dont have mess with the bs lol

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stumped

· #5 · Dec 12, 2008

no it's not the TV. i don't even have and HDMI cable hooked up right now and windows is still showing that the HDMI connector is only 2 channel audio. it's really strange.

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digitaldom

· #6 · Dec 25, 2008

This took a while for me to figure out.. First thing you HAVE to do is disable your onboard audio... They both use the Realtek driver.. and it screws things up.. Next reinstall the ATI HDMI realtek driver.. You have reinstall then reboot.

Deselect 48hz audio.. The standard does NOT support 7.1 or 5.1 at 48.. only at 44.1.. Yeah it's alot of hoops to get it to work.. but YES it does work..

Also your reciever must support LPCM 7.1 in order for it to all work.. I have an Onkyo 605 and it works great.. I am running Vista Home Premium 64 bit addition!

Thanx,
Dan

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stumped

· #7 · Dec 25, 2008

sweet! glad to hear you got it working. stupid how you have to disable things. i'll try to boot with only my hdmi first to see if that does anything. if not, i'll have to try this. +rep

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digitaldom

· #8 · Dec 26, 2008

Ohh as the other reader suggested most tv do NOT pass through more than 2 channel audio.. My samsung 46" LCD had that issue. The audio reciever should be controlling your switching.. Therefore make sure you run your HDMI cable to your Audio reciever first then onto your TV use the HDMI out from the reciever to the TV.

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stumped

· #9 · Dec 26, 2008

ahhh, then that would be my problem as my receiver is just old enough that it does not accept hdmi.

kinda weird though as it can send out 5.1 for digital channels but can't do a simple pass through of audio on hdmi.

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Danamal

· #10 · Feb 3, 2009

I have a similar problem. Were you able to get the problem resolved? I have a Radeon HD 4830 and am unable to do a Dolby Digital bitstream over HDMI to my TV and to an old Bose receiver. My laptop is able to do the bitstream just fine over HDMI, so it isn't my cable, TV, or receiver. I've tried it in XP, Vista, Windows 7, any suggestions?

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DEC_42

· #11 · Feb 3, 2009

What if your TV supports optical out? Would I carry 5.1 from HDMI through optical to the receiver?

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DEC_42

· #12 · Feb 3, 2009

Edit: Dp.

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slowpokex2

· #13 · Oct 15, 2009

I'm sorry if I'm reviving a thread long dead, but this thread should have an answer or at least point to another thread somewhere which solves this problem at least, and that answer can be found at this link, in a more fact filled thread. ATI Radeon HD 4600 & 4800 series support 7.1 channel HDMI audio!

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