5.1 and Vista: help please!

[Slythe]

I have just recently installed windows vista business on my pc and now my 5.1 system won't work properly

On windows XP all my tracks played just fine on all 6 speakers, but with vista i had a few problems - i fixed the problem of the sub-woofer not working however some of my tracks will only work in 3.1 (rear speakers don't work) plus those that do the rear speakers seem to have voice cancellation enabled and the sound is rather disappointing... please help!

1) How to get all tracks to play in 5.1
2) How to get annoying tinny sound off rear speakers

I love my music and if going back to XP will make it sound normal then so be it!

[Slythe]

Oh another thing is i have the same problems in windows media player as well. I am using a realtek ac'97 onboard soundcard.

[DJ Egg]

Windows Vista doesn't support DirectSound Hardware Acceleration by default.

Check the motherboard/soundchip manufacturer's site for updated Vista drivers:
http://www.realtek.com*****downloads/...&GetDown=false


After installing the updated drivers, see here:

Multi-speaker output / surround sound support
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=66049

[JonnyMac]

At a guess, that may be related to Windows Vista not supporting DirectSound hardware acceleration. Many companies are updating sound drivers to compensate for the issue, so try updating the sound drivers.

Some info...
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread....hreadid=265568
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread....hreadid=264997

[edit] Blah, late | Hello DJ Egg

[Slythe]

I've already downloaded the newest sound drivers because the old ones wouldn't install properly in the first place.
This only works for some tracks however but what i would still like to know is why do some tracks which worked perfectly on XP now sddenly not work on the rear speakers. Other tracks work fine though (apart from eerie voice cancellation in rear)

[Slythe]

Could it maybe be "Realtek Room Correction" - some people are telling me its that but i tinkered for a while and all that does is adjust the volume louder/softer according to placement of speakers in the room.... Unless i'm missing something...

[Slythe]

Please anyone help! I really like Apocalyptica and Slayer to not echo!

[DJ Egg]

Originally posted by DJ Egg
After installing the updated drivers, see here:

Multi-speaker output / surround sound support
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread....id=66049#vista

I've updated the above link to point directly to the Vista-specific section of that FAQ.

[Slythe]

OKay to everyone reading this its been confirmed to me by microsoft that this voice-cancellation thing is in fact a new feature built into vista, i will report later once they provide me with a solution...

[Slythe]

I found a workaround:
Enable "environment" and set as "room"
Enable "speaker fill"
Enable "room correction" but leave all distances as 0
Enable "bass management".

All of this allows vocal frequencies in rear speakers but there is still a very slight (but still annoying) delay (echo)

Thanks for all your help. I have been told by MS engineer people that in Vista SP1 (Early Q3) the bug will be fixed.

[Griking]

Slythe, where exactly do we find this "enviroment" setting? Is it a setting in Vista or a sound Blaster app?

[Slythe]

Uhm I'm not sure if the setting is specific to my onboard Realtek AC'97 card but here are the steps I follow to get to it:

1) Right click on sound taskbar icon and go to playback devices
2) Click on Speakers and the Properties button
3) Then click on the Enhancements tab
The first check box should be environment...

If it isn't check your settings application that came with your card for any option that has room/ environment settings such as generic, concert hall, bathroom, walkway etc etc and set it to Room.

I know X-Fi's with new Vista drivers installed by default include that setting in the shell.

[SCHEUERMAN2]

my speaker setting in vista doesnt have a Enhancements tab... what should i do? i have the newest vista drivers for my card, they also had to install something called "digital audio interface" it mostly worked fine after that update

[Slythe]

Unfortunately I only got instructions that apply for Realtek AC '97 and X-Fi's, sorry.

Well, being sick and tired of annoying little problems like these in Vista, I reverted back to good 'ol XP! Counted the R 1300.00 I payed for Vista as a loss, but hey - My sound is back to normal without any hassles!

Try doing the same, Vista sucks RAM and blocks the few programs that are fully compatible with it with it's over-protective firewall...

[cazutdincer]

I have a P5KPL / 1600 Asus motherboard, with VIA HD audio cipset on a Vista ultimate 64 platform.

what you have to do?
1. Go to you're audio cipset manufacture, and download you're appropriate driver.
2. After you have install the newest driver, go to start - control panel - sound
3. click on speakers - configure (and chose 5.1)
4. with your speakers selected click on Properties, and then the Enhancements Tab, and choice the fallowing options:

5. After those step, apply every change you've made. Now open your Winamp and fallow the next steps:
6. Go to Options - Preference, or you can use CTRL + p combination to open the preference meniu.
7. Chose Plug-ins - Output - DirectSound Output - Configure
8. From the drop down menu, chose you're main audio device in my case

9. the last step you have to make is to chose the "Allow Hardware acceleration" option.
10. Restart winamp, and you're done, or at least, in my case it worked just fine.