PC to AVR via HDMI 5.1 audio

[KatoKruz78]

My PC is connected to a Sherwood AVR via HDMI. Other devices Xbox, Blu-Ray player play audio in 5.1 audio perfectly Through AVR however PC not so much.

Windows 10 only recognises AVR as a 2 channel HDMI connection, here is where it gets very confusing, Netflix App plays 5.1 audio perfectly on titles that are 5.1.

My system
OS Windows 10 Pro
i7 8700K, 16GB RAM, GTX 1080ti, 1TB M.2, 4TB HDD

All drivers Windows and Nvidia are up to date. So I’m very stumped.

Connection combinations
GPU —> HDMI —> AVR —> HDMI —> TV

iGPU —> HDMI —> AVR —> HDMI —> TV

GPU —> HDMI —> TV —> HDMI —> AVR (ARC)

GPU —> HDMI —> TV
PLUS
GPU —> HDMI —> AVR

and then did a variation of these combos.

Currently have
GPU —> HDMI —> AVR
GPU —> HDMI —> TV
GPU —> DP —> Monitor

It didn’t matter what combination I ran with all got the same result except for ARC setup. Netflix App runs true 5.1 and don’t have any other Apps that can run 5.1 audio from Games, iTunes etc as they rely on Windows audio set up. Netflix App seems to override this when I select to have App to control device.

Any help to fix this would be great, still talking with Nvidia to see if they can shed some light on this.

 

[Wolfie]

Hi KatoKruz78,

what are your defaults in Control Panel > Sound?:

 

[KatoKruz78]

Default output is my AVR
https://www.dropbox.com/s/clw4ua77yaqn7um/IMG_0841.JPG?dl=0

 

[Wolfie]

Have you checked the properties of your default?, you might need to dig a little deeper in there!.

 

[KatoKruz78]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bqsu23tikdf42o2/IMG_0848.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xmyonarfu2v1o9r/IMG_0849.JPG?dl=0

Properties indicate only show max 2 channel, support for DTS and Dolby Digital. Which still doesn’t really explain why 5.1 Audio still works with Netflix App.

Bit of a downer because I have a massive Movie and TV show library on iTunes that can only be watched in stereo instead of its intended 5.1 because Windows only recognises a LR HDMI Digital Jack

 

[Saltgrass]

You know we cannot see your attachments, right? Please attach directly into the forum.

My first thought would be a Digital Rights situation. Music should be available as 5.1, will it work?

I assume AVR is Audio Visual Recorder? AVC is what?

What is an LR HDMI Digital Jack?

 

[KatoKruz78]

I tried attaching pics but they couldn’t said it was too big thought pic links would have worked.

Yes AVR Audio Visual Reciever. Not sure what AVC?

“LR HDMI Digital Jack” is the description Windows 10 has in the Properties of AVR under General tab. Above it has the Controller information which is NVIDIA High Definition Audio. Would make more sense if it actually allowed me to attach the pics..

 

[KatoKruz78]

so I've downsized the pics and and attached. Hopefully you will be able to see what I'm talking about.....

 

[Saltgrass]

Could you give us the model of the AVR?

You are running at sound quality of 24 bit 96000Hz, could you lower that to 44.1 or 44 KHz?

Could you unplug some of the other devices you are not using?

Netflix may use some type of compression which allows the 5.1 sound or fake 5.1 sound.

 

[KatoKruz78]

It’s a Sherwood RD-6506

I’ve tried at all frequencies that was just shot from last attempt. Same result at lowest 32KHz to 96KHz with the only difference being the sound is clearer with more depth.

Netflix App is playing proper 5.1 audio as individual sounds from surround left or right match visual for example, bird chirping in the rain. Rain can be heard from all speakers while chirp coming from only one surround speakers or sound of traffic and emergency vehicle passing on right emit sound only from right surround to front right

AVR set to Auto. Stereo audio only play through front speakers. Netflix App, Blu-Ray player(not on PC) will play at 5.1 if title is 5.1 DTS or 5.1 DOLBY DIGITAL. When AVR is set to surround, stereo audio plays like quadraphonics or fake 5.1 like when pro-logic first came out and 5.1 titles still play as it is intended.

 

[Saltgrass]

I checked the owners manual and it never mentions a computer HDMI input. Maybe it should work but all I can suggest is check the properties on the Nvidia sound output device and see if it is set for 5.1 0r 7.1.

The manual does mention the sound quality may be set by the source device.

 

[KatoKruz78]

That’s the problem, I can’t set 5.1 or 7.1 only gives me option for stereo

 

[Wolfie]

This might help???:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/776909/Sherwood-Rd-6506.html

 

[KatoKruz78]

This might help???:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/776909/Sherwood-Rd-6506.html

Thanks Wolfie. I have already been consulting the manual while trying to sort this out. Might just see if it here is a difference with Vid 1 and Vid 2 input. Can’t imagine there would be as I tried the CD HDMI input and it works the same as Video 1 HDMI with the exception of no video signal out.

 

[Wolfie]

Hi KatoKruz78,

I really don't have another option for you sorry.

 

[KatoKruz78]

I’ve done some trouble shooting with NVIDIA and they are still trying to get back to me. Like I’ve mentioned previously, I do find it very bizarre that Netflix App is the only application/program that will play in proper 5.1 not a pseudo surround or quadraphonics.

I was hoping someone from Windows 10 developement could shed some light in here. If there was a way to get other applications like iTunes to override windows config like Netflix App does, I would do that instead of battling the sound configuration and properties....

Would be super to get 5.1 working for immersive games like shadow of tomb raider, battlefield, black ops and other similar titles but I can settle with stereo for now until I pick up an Atmos Reciever. Windows 10 actually have a Dolby Atmos App. I watched a demo clip for WOW BFA on a Friend Atmos set up and sounds amazing! Until then I shall dream

 

[Wolfie]

Just a thought, you can try switching the HDMI cable around with a different one, it might be faulty or of low quality???.

 

[KatoKruz78]

Yeah I’ve tried $50 cables vs $5 ones, old cables and new, same result

 

[Wolfie]

Hi KatoKruz78,

have you thought about asking them directly?:

https://www.sherwood-av.com.au/products/