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    R2 and 5.1 over HDMI

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Byshop, Aug 23, 2011.

  1. Byshop

    Byshop Notebook Geek

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    I found a thread on this but I didn't find a definitive answer:

    Can the R2 output 5.1 channel audio over HDMI for Blu-ray movies and/or games? Mine only seems to want to output in Stereo. I loaded the Realtek ATI HDMI Audio Driver and that allows me to now select 5.1 in the HDMI Configuration but when I attempt to do the channel test it doesn't seem to be working.

    -Byshop
     
    Byshop, Aug 23, 2011
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  2. Byshop

    Byshop Notebook Geek

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    The driver I downloaded was from here:

    Realtek

    ATI HDMI Audio Device

    -Byshop
     
    Byshop, Aug 24, 2011
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  3. Byshop

    Byshop Notebook Geek

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    No ideas? Has anyone else successfully gotten 5.1 channel sound over HDMI?

    Thanks.

    -Byshop
     
    Byshop, Aug 26, 2011
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  4. livid

    livid Notebook Consultant

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    Channel test won't do anything in this regard. The signal gets passed from your HDMI audio codec directly to your receiver or TV. If the receiving device only accepts stereo input, that's all the HDMI will deliver. Treating the HDMI audio like a sound card won't work.

    Either of the following is applicable:

    1. Your receiving device is not configured correctly.
    2. Your playback software is not configured correctly. (PowerDVD trial does not support 5.1)
    3. Your movies don't have 5.1 audio.
     
    livid, Aug 26, 2011
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  5. Byshop

    Byshop Notebook Geek

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    I think you misunderstood my inquiry. I have a 5.1 system that the hdmi is running to. Using default drivers, the hdmi output doesn't let me select than higher stereo. Only after loading the realtek hdmi driver I listed above was I able to select a 5.1 speaker setup in the hdmi out config. My question was is this laptop capable of 5.1 output over hdmi for movies AND games. I figure 5.1 audio off of a bluray will work fine but my bigger concern is game audio.

    Thanks

    -Byshop
     
    Byshop, Aug 27, 2011
    #5