Audio dropping out on HDMI connection with 5850

[aggressor]

I have a new XFX 5850 XXX which has been running great with gaming, but I've had issues in the HTPC department. Whenever I set Windows 7 to use the 5850 HDMI output as default audio, the audio will always randomly drop* unless I either turn off my receiver or change the default audio back to my regular speakers and then back to HDMI output.

I didn't have this issue with my 4870 1GB, so I'm a little confused. I'm using a Denon AVR590 receiver.

* I have figured out that the signal isn't completely dropped, but the volume is greatly reduced to the point where it's only (very barely) audible if I turn the system up to max volume.

 

[aggressor]

Nobody else has this issue?

 

[aggressor]

Not that anyone seems to care, but it's a known issue with the 5xxx series. It has to do with Powerplay (power management) settings and there is a fix, but it requires running your card at higher clocks while in 2D mode.

 

[aggressor]

Final bump: finally fixed in the newest (10.6) Catalyst release

 

[happy medium]

Funny no one ever mentioned this in the 7 months the 5000 series has been out.

Thanks for the info.

 

[aggressor]

There was more information about it on AVSForum. I guess nobody here uses their card for a HTPC

 

[happy medium]

I was gonna use a hdmi cable from my 5750 to my Lcd tv and use the optical out on my tv to my 7.1 surround amps optical in. Would this work for surround sound for games and movies? My amp has no hdmi port and the optical sound on my motherboard sucks.
Thanks

 

[aggressor]

No, you'd want to connect it directly to your receiver. As far as I know, optical out on TV sets only do 2.0 unless it's ATSC 5.1 from broadcast TV. It's a DRM issue, not a technical one, since using that method would completely invalidate HDCP because optical audio has no encryption.

 

[happy medium]

But would my reciever convert the 2.0 from the TV to surround sound?
My reciever as bought right before hdmi was common to amps.

i was thinking about a sound card but they all seem to suck for the money

 

[aggressor]

Well, it could upmix the 2.0 source to emulated 5.1 using Dolby but that wouldn't be nearly as good as true 5.1.

 

[happy medium]

ok , I'll give it a go for whats its worth anyway. I might get lucky for once.

Thanks, I'll post back if it works out.