DVI-HDMI with analog sound (not working with Nvidia drivers)

[MperR]

OK quick update.

Decided I might as well eliminate as many sources of this problem as I could, so I installed XP to make sure that it wasn't an OS issue.

Result: As expected, same result. Before installation of Nvidia drivers (i.e. before OS realises that the video card is an 8600GT) the analog sound works fine. Once the drivers are installed, the sound goes again.

I used the latest drivers as well (163.67). So I'm pretty sure it isn't a driver issue as I've had the same problem from 158.18 to 163.67 (though I haven't tried every single iteration).

Might be time to contact Gigabyte about this.

Regards
MperR

[TiggerK]

For the record, using MCE2005, the Gigabyte 8400GS worked fine on a Panasonic LCD 32". DVI-HDMI cable (no adaptor) for the video, and analogue audio inputs into the TV's HDMI-1 Audio inputs. No problem. Used the nVidia 162 series drivers.

I suspect it's the nVidia Vista drivers, from what everyone has been saying in this post. Otherwise why would it only stop working once the driver is loaded??

Maybe fire nVidia an email and wait in hope... Can you use VGA in the meantime on that TV?? Borrow an ATI card for testing or something??

Cheers
TIggerK

[MperR]

Hi TiggerK

Good to know that at least an 8400GS works. I know someone over at DTVforum with an 8800 (to the same TV) has it working also.

It would be interesting to know if anyone else with an 8600GT (non Gigabyte) has the same problem. I just want to know if it is a problem inherent with the 8600GT GPU or the particular Gigabyte model. Or a driver issue as you've suggested.

I've always thought it was a hardware thing, as before the drivers are installed, the OS doesn't know that it is an 8600GT. But I don't enough about how all this works.

I don't really want to use VGA as it doesn't support a 1920 x 1080 resolution, so defeats the purpose of getting a 1080p screen in the first place.

I think I will just bite the bullet and get an HD2600 XT.

Regards
MperR

[jankena]

It seems that the chipset 8600 is capable of mixing SPDIF audio to HDMI output although graphics card vendors don't implement this feature. For example Zotac introduced new cards with 8600 that have SPDIF input and add audio to the DVI/HDMI output (http://www.zotac.com/gf8600GT.htm).
May be that the chipset on Gigabyte card thinks that it has SPDIF input and sends something to the DVI output. And the DVI-to-HDMI cable transfers the signal so the TV detects it and turns off the external stereo input.


Regards
Jan

[MperR]

It seems that the chipset 8600 is capable of mixing SPDIF audio to HDMI output although graphics card vendors don't implement this feature. For example Zotac introduced new cards with 8600 that have SPDIF input and add audio to the DVI/HDMI output (http://www.zotac.com/gf8600GT.htm).
May be that the chipset on Gigabyte card thinks that it has SPDIF input and sends something to the DVI output. And the DVI-to-HDMI cable transfers the signal so the TV detects it and turns off the external stereo input.


Regards
Jan

Hi Jan

I like your theory and I think I'll adopt it in my head as the official reason for my problem. It explains everything.

Anyway, I should have a resolution by next week, either from a technician or from a new graphics card.

Regards
MperR

[MperR]

OK problem solved. Well not really solved as I still don't get sound with the 8600GT. Instead I got myself an ATI HD2600 XT today and I have sound now.

So I'm pretty sure the problem was with the video card itself. Or the way the Nvidia drivers were implemented with the video card - making the TV think that there was audio coming down the DVI-HDMI connection.

So as far as I am concerned the problem is solved. I just have a spare 8600GT lying around now.

Interestingly though, my TV does still have a problem though - NO SOUND THROUGH THE HDMI This time not analog sound but the actual sound that is supposed to come down the HDMI (which is probably why I haven't heard any distortion like David). Well actually the sound comes and goes, so at least I still have something for the technician to fix when he comes.

David/Jankena, if you decide to persist with your 8600GT then I wish you the best of luck. If you find a solution then please post it as (with my limited use so far) I actually prefer the 8600GT over the HD2600 XT.

Cheers
MperR

[Advocate02]

Hello All,

This is an interesting problem that I am now facing as well. I recently purchased an XFX Geforce 8600 GTS and attempted to hook it up to my Philips 42" LCD via a DVI-to-HDMI cable and noticed the same thing: picture is fine, no audio. Some observations:

-I used to own an ATI X800 which was able to display the picture and let me run the audio from my sound card via RCA cables to my TV with no problems.
-With the nVidia card, if I unplug the HDMI cable the audio plays perfect; if I plug the HDMI back in, the audio stops.

In my opinion, it is not the TV (since the audio clearly works) but rather the card somehow transmitting audio over the DVI-to-HDMI cable and making the TV think there is audio when there isn't. I have tried to find a setting in the nVidia Control Panel, and there is one that comes so close to what I'm looking for, but I can't make the change. If you look under the "Change the signal or HD format" setting you will see a "Connector" choice - mine is set to HDMI, but in reality this is incorrect. It thinks it is an HDMI cable connection but it's really a DVI-to-HDMI connection, so it improperly is trying to direct sound when it shouldn't.

My old ATI card actually prompted me when I plugged the TV in to notify me that sound would not be transmitted over the DVI cable and that I would need separate cables. This card doesn't do that and that is the problem. I have spent hours trying to figure this out but I've finally given up - is this something that nVidia needs to fix in their next driver package? There needs to be a connector option for "DVI-to-HDMI" like my ATI card gave me. I am highly frustrated and disappointed with nVidia for this obvious oversight.

[MperR]

Hi Advocate

It looks like this must be a problem inherent with the 8600 cards. I'm glad that at least someone with a different brand (not Gigabyte) 8600 is having the same problem.

As Jankena pointed out, its probably because the 8600 does have the capability to route audio via an SPDIF connector. Though those cards that don't utilise this feature don't seem to make it clear to the cable that there is no audio.

I'm with you Advocate, it can't be the TV's fault. The TV is just doing what it is supposed to.

Regards
MperR

[dwebkombi]

Hi Guys,
Exact same problem here.

I am using a Nvidia 8500GT connected using an adaptor to HDMI into 32" Sony Bravia.
Have tried everything and are waiting for a nvidea driver to fix it. Will keep you posted

[dgaust]

I'm guessing that this only affects the analogue sound outputs?

I am using the Gigabyte 8600GT (GV-NX86T256H) and using the optical spdif out on the mobo to my receiver everything is fine. Haven't tested analogue audio though.

[David75]

I'm guessing that this only affects the analogue sound outputs?

I am using the Gigabyte 8600GT (GV-NX86T256H) and using the optical spdif out on the mobo to my receiver everything is fine. Haven't tested analogue audio though.

It seemed to affect straight DVI over a HDMI cable to the TV. The TV was interpreting some audio coming through in the HDMI signal. Even when the 8600GT board didn't have any audio inputs.

On a side note I was going to start another thread but I 'll put it in here for reference as it might come in handy. Not really a solution but if you are considering getting an A/V receiver then it might be useful.

I recently purchased an Onkyo 605 receiver and was very pleasantly surprised to find that you can configure it to take an HDMI cable in for the video and take the sound from an optical SPDIF cable. (it is not obvious from the manual but you set the DVD input to HDMI on the HDMI inputs and then go to the digital input screen and set the DVD input to be OPT1) I didn't expect it to work and not having had much experience with A/V receivers couldn't find any info that would suggest it would work. (edit: set the Harware:HMDI Control setting to yes so that it recognises the TV over HDMI when the computer resumes from S3)

Perfect HDMI picture with SPDIF sound.(not full HDMI sound but one step at a time)

Then run an HDMI output to the TV with the sound passthrough turned off.

David.

[jpc52]

Hi,

Same problem here, I have a MSI 8600GT Graphics card and Sony D3100 TV and no Audio via the Analogue connectors when using HDMI.

I'd agree it seems to be that the Graphics card is sending audio out via the HDMI connector, even though there is no audio present. This is then making the TV switch from the analog inputs to the HDMI audio. Even to the point that if I leave my PC so it switches off display output, Audio will then come from the TV. So I can have no picture, but audio or a picture with no audio.

I could use the VGA Output, but then I'm stuck with 60Hz and a jittery picture. I thought I'd finally found the holy grail, I have the TV connected via HDMI, when not using Media Center, it's set to 1360x768 60Hz for the best picture, and you can have Media Center switch to 720p at 50Hz when in full screen mode, which provides a fantastic smooth picture and also allows me to use sony's motion flow - which doesn't work with VGA or at the 1360x768 resolution. But alais I'm now caught out by the sound - blocked at every coner.

J