Trouble outputting HDMI sound/video from Graphics Card through Receiver to Monitor

[d3daiM]

Hello. I currently have a dual screen setup with my 465GTX graphics card using the two DVI ports on the back with no sound. There is a 3rd mini-HDMI port also on the back. My goal is to continue using these two DVI ports and then add a HDMI cable between the card and my AV receiver FOR SOUND OUTPUT.

But, in the Nvidia drivers, it seems I have to enable the receiver as my 2nd monitor in order to get access to the sound output from the 465gtx. Since I cannot have 3 screens running at a time with this card, doing that effectively disables my monitor in the 2nd DVI port, and instead enables the mini-HDMI, making my receiver my second monitor.
Of course, my receiver is not a HDTV. I just want sound output. Is there any way to have both of these DVI ports running whilst getting sound from the m-HDMI?

When I pass the HDMI through my receiver and into my second screen I get no video! I tried outputting from my receiver to both the HDMI and DVI (with use of adapter) inputs on my 2nd monitor, and I cannot find any relevant settings in my receiver config..

Let me know what you think. Thank you!
- d3d

EDIT: So it looks like I can't use three at once. And I can't seem to get my on-board HDMI ports running with my graphics card, simultaneously. So my last option is to send the video/sound from the HDMI out on my card to my receiver and from the HDMI-out on the receiver -> monitor (but I need an adapter). When I tried this with my 20" I couldn't get any video, screen was black. I think it might be the monitor, so I will try this with my Apple 23" when I get the adapter.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Because of HDCP it's unlikely to work using the mHDMI port. If you aren't aiming for HD sound formats you can use the optical port or digital coax if it's available.

 

[d3daiM]

Yeah I have an optical port on my integrated sound, with an additional 2x HDMI and Display Port adapter. But HDMI, from what I've heard, has equivalent if not better sound quality, no?

 

[d3daiM]

bump

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Some better sound formats (TrueHD and HD-DTS Master) are supported over HDMI when playing a Blu-ray disk. To play those formats you need HDMI and a receiver that can decode those formats. However, if you aren't playing BD on your system then there really is no advantage to using HDMI for sound.

Edit: btw, what AV receiver are you using? Usually there is a setting or two that needs to be configured to enable video output over HDMI.

 

[Emulex]

Hdfury

 

[QuantumPion]

Can the card output sound over DVI? I believe some have the ability to do that. In which case you could use a DVI splitter.

 

[d3daiM]

Some better sound formats (TrueHD and HD-DTS Master) are supported over HDMI when playing a Blu-ray disk. To play those formats you need HDMI and a receiver that can decode those formats. However, if you aren't playing BD on your system then there really is no advantage to using HDMI for sound.

Edit: btw, what AV receiver are you using? Usually there is a setting or two that needs to be configured to enable video output over HDMI.

I only get 2.1 DTS using my optical output on my mainboard...
Pioneer VSX-520

 

[d3daiM]

Hdfury

Interestinggg.....I'd rather not have to buy another piece of hardware but I'm glad that that is an option. Thank you!

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

I only get 2.1 DTS using my optical output on my mainboard...
Pioneer VSX-520

Have you configured the sound settings in Control Panel and set the optical output to 5.1?

 

[d3daiM]

Found out what the issue was!
..And it only cost an entire night and a head full of sanity. This is not a OS-level issue. It involves tricking your motherboard into thinking it's running iGPU graphics to HDTV.

BIOS SETTINGS:
If you are like me, then your primary display/graphics init setting in the BIOS was not set on "IGD", so the Intel HD Graphics 3000 display adapter was not being booted at POST. NOTE: It will not be booted on any other setting (PEG/IDG, PEG, PCI/PEG..etc). For the Zotac Z68ITX-A-E (and likely other Intel HD Graphics enabled mainboards), it is necessary for this display adapter to be enabled in the BIOS & running in order for the Intel Graphics drivers to be activated upon Windows boot. The Intel Graphics drivers then turn on the Intel Display Audio drivers, which registers your receiver as a false "HDTV" playback device in the Windows mixer. Also, make sure Azalia HD Audio and all of the Azalia HDMI Codec Port settings in the BIOS are enabled.

FOR NVIDIA/AMD dGPU's:
Additionally, you can get your dedicated GPU card running dual-screen simultaneously with stunning 24-bit 5.1 sound outputting from your mainboard's HDMI to your receiver by setting PCI Express Port setting in the BIOS to "Enabled". However, unless you have a screen connected to the mainboard, you won't be able to get video or maneuver the BIOS (you can't see) until the OS-level nvidia drivers kick into action. A potential solution for accessing the BIOS might be to use a DVI f -> HDMI m adapter and swap your monitor from the dedicated gpu to the motherboard's HDMI out temporarily...

DRIVER INSTALLATION:
With your HDMI cable connected between your motherboard and your receiver's HDMI input, have your receiver turned on with the signal set properly to HDMI. Make sure passthrough is disabled. Then turn on your PC. Ideally, you want to start with a fresh install of all graphics and sound drivers on your machine. So download the latest Intel HD Graphics driver from the Intel website (usually most current) and your dedicated GPU's latest stable manufacturer drivers, if you are using one. Then, in Programs & Features, uninstall all relevant graphics/audio drivers that you have. Restart. (After, I additionally uninstall all relevant items from Device Manager & run CCleaner and Driver Fusion in safe mode.) Upon boot DO NOT, I repeat, do not let Windows Update download and install the Microsoft certified drivers--they are usually outdated for sound and video drivers. Disable your NIC if you must for the remainder of the installation if you can't keep that b*** under control.
Then install in this boot order: Intel HD Graphics -> make sure Intel Display Audio is available in your device manager -> NVIDIA/AMD divers -> disable all NVIDIA/AMD audio ports in device manager -> motherboard manu/AC97/hi-def audio drivers -> enable or disable them in device manager, depending on function. Restart.

POST-INSTALLATION & SETTINGS:
Right-Click your desktop -> "Graphics Properties". Make sure your AV receiver's model is on the Display list. Configure this page as you wish. I disable IT Content...don't know what that is. Save and close. Then configure your dGPU's drivers. Save and close. Then right-click desktop -> screen resolution. Make sure your reciever "HDTV" monitor panel is shoved to the upper right-hand corner of the layout. Kinda ghetto, I know, but so far I have found no fix to make the drivers "ignore" the receiver/hdtv as a valid display. It must be enabled for sound to work. So do understand that occasionally windows get trapped over there. It will appear as though an application is not starting, but it is really just the window showing up on the fake monitor. In these situations, use the combination WindowsKey+(left | right) to get the window back on a visible display.
Then go into Sound -> Playback Devices. Make sure the device with your AV receiver's model/name is set as the default device. Disable all of the rest. Set the proper settings in the "Configure" and "Properties" pages. Save and close.

OK! NOW YOU SHOULD HAVE WORKING UNCOMPRESSED 5.1!

IF YOU HAVE SOUND DELAY PROBLEMS OR AUDIO "LAG":
You are suffering from what is called the "silent stream" bug. This is where Windows' Mixer stops processing 5.1 and switches to 2.1 when no sound is detected.
Solution: AVR Audio Guard
= win

COOL STUFF ENABLED:
Now you can run Foobar2000 through WASAPI in 5.1!
Make use of your iGPU's processing power with your dedicated GPU for more FPS using LucidLogix Virtu Technology!?!
Nifty program for dual-screen setups: DisplayFusion

If you liked this or this worked for you let me know !

 

[fuzzymath10]

Sometimes you need to have an active video connection for the audio to work. Could you hook up one monitor directly through DVI, and use the HDMI out on the AV receiver for the other monitor, with the receiver hooked up to the HDMI on your video card?

 

[Durvelle27]

your video card can't output 5.1 audio it can only pass through 5.1 if its already there like dvds or blu-rays ?