5.1 audio help, I'm missing something

[tvconfuse]

So i have a optical cable from the out of the dvr to the in on the HD PVR. I have the new 5.1 drivers installed on the HD PVR.

I have the component cable from the video loop out to the tv so i can watch tv while the HD PVR is recording.

Now my computer has a Realtek sound card that has the sdpif settings so it looks like it supports 5.1 audio. And I also have the option of choosing spdif as the digital output device for playback.

But i can't hear any audio coming from my system at all when I use select the spdif as my output.

My speakers are built into my monitor. But shouldn't the 5.1 be downmixed to dolby surround (or whatever) to be played on my monitor speakers if i don't have a 5.1 setup? So technically i should still hear something right?

And shouldn't the 5.1 stream be recorded even if i don't hear it?

[vexhold]

I assume that your audio card has a single SP/DIF outlet correct?

Well is this outlet input or output?

Thats going to make a big difference

[tvconfuse]

My audio card does not have a sp/dif outlet or in but why would it matter? The HD PVR is connected to my computer via usb. I'm assuming that both audio + video is being pumped to my computer via the USB cable.

Originally Posted by vexhold

I assume that your audio card has a single SP/DIF outlet correct?

Well is this outlet input or output?

Thats going to make a big difference

[big poppa pump]

Lemme get this straight-

1) Your speakers are built into the monitor, so more than likely they are analog.

2) Your audio card has no SPDIF output, yet you choose to set output as digital out in the realtek control panel.

Putting 1 & 2 together, do you miraculously expect the analog speakers on your monitor to get digital sound from your computer????

[tvconfuse]

I thought that the system (audio card, computer) would detect that I have a analog stereo speakers plugged in and would convert that 5.1 into something that would be audible to me. I guess not?

For example on dvd's they normally have ac3 6ch but if your tv doesn't have a 5.1 system it doesn't matter audio still plays through.

I thought the same would happen with the HD PVR

Originally Posted by big poppa pump

Lemme get this straight-

1) Your speakers are built into the monitor, so more than likely they are analog.

2) Your audio card has no SPDIF output, yet you choose to set output as digital out in the realtek control panel.

Putting 1 & 2 together, do you miraculously expect the analog speakers on your monitor to get digital sound from your computer????

[GollyJer]

Originally Posted by tvconfuse

I have the component cable from the video loop out to the tv so i can watch tv while the HD PVR is recording.

So are you actually recording anything? It seems like you're bypassing the HD-PVR and going straight to the tv with the video source.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by tvconfuse

I thought that the system (audio card, computer) would detect that I have a analog stereo speakers plugged in and would convert that 5.1 into something that would be audible to me. I guess not?

For example on dvd's they normally have ac3 6ch but if your tv doesn't have a 5.1 system it doesn't matter audio still plays through.

I thought the same would happen with the HD PVR

Well it will convert the 5.1 sound to stereo audio; however, if you are choosing SPDIF output from your sound card and your sound card does not thave SPDIF then you will get no audio as you are telling your sound card to send sound over a non-existent connection.

Where you need to select SPDIF is within Sage when you are setting up the HDPVR as a "tuner". You need to hook up your STB to the HDPVR and use the SPDIF connections between the two.