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    TM8204 - Anyone able to get multiple audio outputs?

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by Greenwell, Aug 14, 2006.

  1. Greenwell

    Greenwell Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,
    I own a TM8204. According to all the research I've done, it's supposed to support multiple audio outputs through Realtek's ALC883 High Definition Audio. Yet in the Realtek utility, I cannot select 4CH or 6CH output, only 2CH!

    I've looked around quite a bit and there is supposed to be a menu option under the mixer tab in that says "Enable multi streaming" and I've even seen screenshots with this option, but it doesn't appear on my laptop!

    I have the latest drivers installed that were released just last week.

    Any ideas? I really need this feature and have looked everywhere for a solution.
     
    Greenwell, Aug 14, 2006
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  2. Mr.Pigeon

    Mr.Pigeon Notebook Evangelist

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    Hey Greenwell,

    What type of cables are you using ? I believe the TM8204 requires a toslink optical cable with mini-plug adapter. That's what my AS5672 uses, and it works like a charm.

    Cheers.
     
    Mr.Pigeon, Aug 14, 2006
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  3. Greenwell

    Greenwell Notebook Enthusiast

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    No cables yet..

    on my desktop with Realtek AC'97 I could get it to create two audio channels, one that would come out of the regular line out, and one that would come out of the line in.. Then I would connect one source with an RCA cable to a stereo, and plug headphones into anothe (I'm a DJ, so I need hearphones and regular audio out).

    I assumed I could do the same with this laptop... I guess it might work with some cables.. Can you explain how, and which cables I would need?

    Thanks, Greenwell
     
    Greenwell, Aug 14, 2006
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  4. Mr.Pigeon

    Mr.Pigeon Notebook Evangelist

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    So if I understand correctly, you want to have two stereo outputs: (1) external line to a mixer and (2) headphones. I'm quite certain the Realtek HD Sound Manager is not capable of doing this. However, you can try installing the latest drivers from Realtek if you haven't done that yet.

    The latest version on the Acer website is v1.34, but v1.43 is available from the Realtek website (released August 9 2006).

    Good luck.
     
    Mr.Pigeon, Aug 14, 2006
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  5. Greenwell

    Greenwell Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well I've done some further reading and it turns out you're right.. I was under the impression that with SPDIF you could compress two channels and then have two outputs, but in reality you can only use multiple channels if they come precompressed (such as DVD audio). I guess I will have to get a PCMCIA audio card for ~60$ for multiple audio outputs.

    Thanks anyway! .
     
    Greenwell, Aug 14, 2006
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  6. k3l0

    k3l0 Notebook Consultant

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    you need the alc883d to do this for all sources.

    there are DirectShow filters that can encode audio to ac3 in realtime in software.
     
    k3l0, Aug 14, 2006
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