new update AC'97 audio Vista driver 2007/5/10

[Guest]

Just notice that Realtek release a new update for AC'97 audio Vista Driver.
Just want let anyone know about it. anyone know if this is digitally sign?

 

[Grae]

Thanks, I installed it on Vista64 Ultimate, but it still does nothing for
surround sound output via spdif / digital coax jacks. Best I can get is PCM
stereo sound only.

Graeme

 

[George]

Did you ever use XP and did the surround sound work? Do you get
surround sound playing Dolby Digital DVD movies?

I assume you are connecting your computer to a AV receiver with the
spdif / digital coax output. I have a computer connected to my AV
receiver using spdif / digital optical output. I get surround sound
with DVDs encoded with Dolby Digital or DTS. I do NOT get surround
sound with PC games. This is a limitation of the sound card. In
order to get surround sound from games via a spdif output, the sound
card would have to encode the sound to Dolby Digital or a simular
format a reciever can handle. What I did was to connect my PC's
analog sound output to my reciever's mutichannel analog input. I use
the analog connection for sorround sound games and the spdif for
everything else. Alternatively, there are sound cards that will
encoded PC surround sound into Dolby Digital. However they may not
work with Vista yet.

 

[Grae]

Thanks, I'm using the setup to play DVDs and HD-DVDs with Dolby Digital or
DTS via Cyberlink Powerdvd or Nero Showtime, and can put the sound thru
Boston (digital) desktop speakers or A/V receiver. The Realtek onboard
(ALC850) sound works fine if I boot my old XP MCE, but is totally screwed if
I boot Vista64 ultimate. Using 6 analog cables isn't an option for me, as
those inputs on the AVR are already taken for sacd.

I tried contacting Realtek Support and got a response of:

The Audio driver doesn't support "Dolby Digital" function for your
motherboard .
Because this is required by your motherboard manufacturer .
This function was supported by Dolby licence .
You can try to play sound with PowerDVD or WinDVD ( support Dolby
digital ) .

This response you'll appreciate was quite helpful (not). Cruzing the
bulletin boards etc, I get the idea the problem is pretty much common to
most sound drivers including Realtek and Creative. I'm keen to hear of any
cards that work. It seems Microsoft possibly made a late change for
improved content protection on Vista64, caught everyone out, and no-one
wants to talk about it yet.

Graeme

 

[Guest]

I *may* have gotten Dolby Digital working with my motherboard audio on my
Asus P5B. I can't play DVDs with Windows Media player because it claims I
don't have the right drivers for HDCP (which is crap because I have the
latest Nvidia drivers), but I tried VLC, and it did output a Dolby Digital
5.1 signal. Unfortunately there was a bug and the audio would just loop a
small sample over and over, but at least it was looping a small sample in
5.1. :-D

-Matt

 

[Grae]

Thanks Matt,

I retested after the first time I read your latest msg. Good for you if
your setup is working for you now.

I tried with the latest VLC player, set to 'spdif out', and got soumd out my
front L and R speakers, but my AV receiver says its PCM stereo, not DD.
I'll get by with dual booting XP for the time being, and eventually get a
soundcard if Realtek don't get it together with their ac'97 drivers.

I got the hdcp message a few times too. I assumed it has nothing to do with
the video drivers or HW, and is just another symptom of the spdif stuff-up.

Graeme