Guide: 8800GT/9800GT/9800GTX Sound over HDMI (Now including Creative cards)
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As promised... this is a guide on how to get sound working on HDMI connection from the 8800GT/9800GT/9800GTX to LCD tv. Many people say that this feature is not supported, and as yet there is a lot of misleading info online. So even if you have one of the many graphics cards that have this feature you may not even know it's there.
First having had a good look around, there seems to be a discrepancy on which cards have this feature or not. I have noticed that most, if not all, non-reference 8800GT/9800GT boards HAVE IT and all 9800GTX's. If you are not sure whether your card has it or not just look next to the SLI Link on your board or in the case of the 9800GTX it should be between the SLI Link and the 6 pin power connectors. Here are a few examples:
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Next: Q:I have that connector but no extra cables came with my card?
1. It's easy... I used some redundant case headers. The type that you use to connect case LED's or USB ports to your motherboard.
Example:
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Cut 4 of these as long as possbile, then join 2 sets of 2 together at the middle and insulate them with tape, and now you have connectors.
If you are using onboard sound go to step 2. Otherwise step 3 for Creative labs cards with an SPDIF IO connection on the card.
2. Onboard Souncards:
Now you need to dig up your motherboard manual or download it from the manufacturers website. You are looking for the page that gives you information about the SPDIF "OUT" on your motherboard (assuming you are using onboard audio). I have used my motherboard as an example. you need to look at the specifics of the one you are using.
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Now that you know what to look for... Find it and connect only the SPDIF_O Jumper. For the time being.
SKIP TO STEP 4.
3. CREATIVE LABS CARDS WITH SPDIF-IO CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS
Find the header labeled: SPDIF I/O (I have used Soundblaster Audigy as an Example)
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(Thanks DEC_42 for the pic) Assuming your Creative card is in a tower and upside down it will have a row of 5 pins on top and a bottom row of 3/4 pins depending on which model Creative you have. Connect the header to the first two pins on the left top row. (Shown in red box the DIAGRAM)
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Now assuming you were to use the wires on that motherboard header in the same orientation... Green on the left and white on the right you need to disconnect the white one at the point where you joined it to the other header that goes to the graphics card. That is the ground! Once you establish which pin is the sound then you connect that white one back up.
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4. Connect the SPDIF OUT from your source (soundcard/onboard sound) to either of these pins (On the graphics card) and test in windows
(MAKE SURE YOU DO STEP 5 OTHERWISE YOU WILL GET NO SOUND)
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Test both till you get sound, then connect the SPDIF GRND to the other pin.
(WARNiNG:
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Don't forget to shut down before messing with stuff inside your case. I will not be held responsible for your new hairstyle.)
5. Now power up your system and go into your sound control and find the checkbox to enable digital I/O and enable it.
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Hope that helped a few more of you.
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Voila you have audio over HDMI.
First having had a good look around, there seems to be a discrepancy on which cards have this feature or not. I have noticed that most, if not all, non-reference 8800GT/9800GT boards HAVE IT and all 9800GTX's. If you are not sure whether your card has it or not just look next to the SLI Link on your board or in the case of the 9800GTX it should be between the SLI Link and the 6 pin power connectors. Here are a few examples:
Next: Q:I have that connector but no extra cables came with my card?
1. It's easy... I used some redundant case headers. The type that you use to connect case LED's or USB ports to your motherboard.
Example:
Cut 4 of these as long as possbile, then join 2 sets of 2 together at the middle and insulate them with tape, and now you have connectors.
If you are using onboard sound go to step 2. Otherwise step 3 for Creative labs cards with an SPDIF IO connection on the card.
2. Onboard Souncards:
Now you need to dig up your motherboard manual or download it from the manufacturers website. You are looking for the page that gives you information about the SPDIF "OUT" on your motherboard (assuming you are using onboard audio). I have used my motherboard as an example. you need to look at the specifics of the one you are using.
Now that you know what to look for... Find it and connect only the SPDIF_O Jumper. For the time being.
SKIP TO STEP 4.
3. CREATIVE LABS CARDS WITH SPDIF-IO CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS
Find the header labeled: SPDIF I/O (I have used Soundblaster Audigy as an Example)
(Thanks DEC_42 for the pic) Assuming your Creative card is in a tower and upside down it will have a row of 5 pins on top and a bottom row of 3/4 pins depending on which model Creative you have. Connect the header to the first two pins on the left top row. (Shown in red box the DIAGRAM)
Now assuming you were to use the wires on that motherboard header in the same orientation... Green on the left and white on the right you need to disconnect the white one at the point where you joined it to the other header that goes to the graphics card. That is the ground! Once you establish which pin is the sound then you connect that white one back up.
4. Connect the SPDIF OUT from your source (soundcard/onboard sound) to either of these pins (On the graphics card) and test in windows
(MAKE SURE YOU DO STEP 5 OTHERWISE YOU WILL GET NO SOUND)
Test both till you get sound, then connect the SPDIF GRND to the other pin.
(WARNiNG:
5. Now power up your system and go into your sound control and find the checkbox to enable digital I/O and enable it.
Hope that helped a few more of you.
Voila you have audio over HDMI.
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4,865 Posts
Nice guide
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2,833 Posts
What's the point of doing that?
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4,148 Posts
Quote:
audio over HDMI? for an HTPC and such
Originally Posted by nitrousflash  What's the point of doing that? |
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2,833 Posts
Im clueless about all this htpc stuff, I need to back into computers...can someone fill me in ,or just tell me to google it.
Quote:
Lets see... HDTV with no sound... or HDTV WITH my 7.1 Bose surround sound system attached?
Hand face moment.
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Edit: Doesn't even need to be a HTPC setup... What if I just feel like gaming on my 32" LCDtv with sound coming from the excellent speakers built into it?
Edit 2: The ATI boys have held the alleged lack of this feature against us for too long...
Originally Posted by nitrousflash What's the point of doing that? |
Hand face moment.
Edit: Doesn't even need to be a HTPC setup... What if I just feel like gaming on my 32" LCDtv with sound coming from the excellent speakers built into it?
Edit 2: The ATI boys have held the alleged lack of this feature against us for too long...
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5,994 Posts
So...you can't just hook up a DVI to HDMI adapter and select the Digital Output Device (HDMI) in Sound properties of Control Panel? Because...this sounds like a bit of work compared to what ATi folks do.
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2,679 Posts
Quote:
It's because Nvidia didn't include audio codecs in their graphics cards I believe.
Originally Posted by RallyMaster So...you can't just hook up a DVI to HDMI adapter and select the Digital Output Device (HDMI) in Sound properties of Control Panel? Because...this sounds like a bit of work compared to what ATi folks do. |
Quote:
5 minutes work
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None the less, I get your point. BUT ATLEAST NOW WE CAN SAY WE HAVE IT TOO. after 5 minutes of work
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Originally Posted by RallyMaster So...you can't just hook up a DVI to HDMI adapter and select the Digital Output Device (HDMI) in Sound properties of Control Panel? Because...this sounds like a bit of work compared to what ATi folks do. |
my MSi 9800gt is set up just like this, the wire came with the card.
after i hooked it all up, i had sound coming from my speakers on my hdtv.
now that i installed a sound card. no sound from my hdtv.
and to top it off my sound card does not support s/pdif out.
my hdtv is silent again.
after i hooked it all up, i had sound coming from my speakers on my hdtv.
now that i installed a sound card. no sound from my hdtv.
and to top it off my sound card does not support s/pdif out.
my hdtv is silent again.
@PappyDan
What is the exact model of your soundcard?
@itachi182:
I used black insulation tape. But tbh you could use normal tape just as long as the wires are sealed. About the LEDs... The only shame is that I never look at mine anyway.
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What is the exact model of your soundcard?
@itachi182:
I used black insulation tape. But tbh you could use normal tape just as long as the wires are sealed. About the LEDs... The only shame is that I never look at mine anyway.
Quote:
You have PM *9099 says in the AOL woman's voice.
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Well, it's one of those things... Non-reference usually have better cooling and such but are ugly as azz. Thankfully I don't have to look at my card otherwise I would have changed it.
Originally Posted by DEC_42 Is there a special type of DVI-HDMI cable I need? One with a full array of pins? So far this isn't working... I'm running SPDIF from my sound card to the Video card, so that *might* be it, but I honestly doubt it. |
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Originally Posted by Swiftes Nice Guide! Cant stand the non reference cooled XFX 8800GT; the Half Sized HSF reminds me of an 8600GT/S |
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Quote:
You both have Creative Soundcards so this should work for both of you.
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Find the header labeled: SPDIF I/O (Thanks DEC_42 for the pic) Assuming your Creative card is in a tower and upside down it will have a row of 5 pins on top and a row of 3/4 pins depending on which model Creative you have.
![]()
Now assuming you were to use the wires on that mobo header in the same orientation... Green on the left and white on the right you need to disconnect the white one at the point where you joined it to the other header that goes to the GFX card. That is the ground! Once you establish which pin is the sound then you connect that white one back up. ;-)
Hope that helped a few more of you.
Originally Posted by PappyDan my MSi 9800gt is set up just like this, the wire came with the card. after i hooked it all up, i had sound coming from my speakers on my hdtv. now that i installed a sound card. no sound from my hdtv. and to top it off my sound card does not support s/pdif out. my hdtv is silent again. |
Quote:
Originally Posted by DEC_42 Is there a special type of DVI-HDMI cable I need? One with a full array of pins? So far this isn't working... I'm running SPDIF from my sound card to the Video card, so that *might* be it, but I honestly doubt it. |
Find the header labeled: SPDIF I/O (Thanks DEC_42 for the pic) Assuming your Creative card is in a tower and upside down it will have a row of 5 pins on top and a row of 3/4 pins depending on which model Creative you have.
Now assuming you were to use the wires on that mobo header in the same orientation... Green on the left and white on the right you need to disconnect the white one at the point where you joined it to the other header that goes to the GFX card. That is the ground! Once you establish which pin is the sound then you connect that white one back up. ;-)
Hope that helped a few more of you.
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