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8 Posts
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15750
January 6th, 2004 01:00
Help enabling digital sound output?
I have an Inspiron 8100 and have used the SVideo adapter cable to output a composite video signal on several occasions. I now have a receiver with Dolby Digital (Sony STR-DE595) and am trying to use the S/PDIF output to make use of much better speakers! However, I have been unable to get sound out yet. I have done the following:
I purchased a PCM Digital Audio cable from Radio Shack and connected it from the DVD Digital Audio input on the back of the receiver to the black RCA jack on the S-Video adapter.
I opened the volume control and went to Options -> Advanced Controls and clicked the Advanced button. I checked the "Enable S/PDIF" box and closed the windows.
No sound comes out through the receiver and speakers (it works in radio tuner mode, so the speakers are working), and if I mute the internal speakers I get no sound at all. In the manual it says that the headphones are disabled when I enable S/PDIF, but the headphones are still working. I can start WinDVD and play a DVD, but the sound comes out through the main speakers. I went through the audio options and checked "Enable S/PDIF Output" but I can then hear nothing at all.
Is there a way to verify that the S/PDIF output is actually working? I will try to find another device with digital sound output to test the receiver, but I'm not sure if that's possible or not. I have a volt meter and attempted to check the signal that way, but I didn't see anything. Any suggestions?
JB
I purchased a PCM Digital Audio cable from Radio Shack and connected it from the DVD Digital Audio input on the back of the receiver to the black RCA jack on the S-Video adapter.
I opened the volume control and went to Options -> Advanced Controls and clicked the Advanced button. I checked the "Enable S/PDIF" box and closed the windows.
No sound comes out through the receiver and speakers (it works in radio tuner mode, so the speakers are working), and if I mute the internal speakers I get no sound at all. In the manual it says that the headphones are disabled when I enable S/PDIF, but the headphones are still working. I can start WinDVD and play a DVD, but the sound comes out through the main speakers. I went through the audio options and checked "Enable S/PDIF Output" but I can then hear nothing at all.
Is there a way to verify that the S/PDIF output is actually working? I will try to find another device with digital sound output to test the receiver, but I'm not sure if that's possible or not. I have a volt meter and attempted to check the signal that way, but I didn't see anything. Any suggestions?
JB
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JeremyBrown
8 Posts
0
January 6th, 2004 14:00
JB
godim
507 Posts
0
January 6th, 2004 14:00
Make sure your audio receiver is looking at the digital input and not at another analog input. (Usually its a separate button or you need to scroll through all input ports till you see digital).
Are you sure its a digital coaxial input? Also, you do not need any special cable for it. The one you are using to connect the yellow RCA connector to your tv should work just as fine (I use such a cable).
The signal on the cable is to weak and quick alternating to be measured, you could try out your laptop on another receiver that is known to work with a digital coaxial SPDIF connection.
JeremyBrown
8 Posts
0
January 9th, 2004 02:00
Thanks,
JB
godim
507 Posts
0
January 9th, 2004 08:00
Just the standard things you propably allready did : Download latest drivers from dell site, latest bios. Make sure spdif is enabled in volume control settings. Etc...
If all that does not work the little convertor cable from dell or you spdif port itself may be broken in which case you should indeed call dell technical support.
As this port is on your motherboard it will require a motherboard (very expensive if out of waranty) if the port is trully broken.
Oh yeah, make sure that there ar eno bent/broken/missing pins ont he small convertor cable. Teh connection to the laptop is like a PS2 connection and is known for easy bent pins. In this case all you need to do is order a new convertor piece.
Despero
11 Posts
0
February 27th, 2004 05:00
I see that your receiver STR-DE595 has a TOSLINK input.. I would advise you to utilize this input in place of the PCM, since PCM most probably is only transmitting dolby surround, but not dolby digital.. I had a similar problem.. was trying to connect my I8200 to an external Sony DP-IF5100 ddigital surround processor for wireless surround headphones and was going nuts! fortunately, I learned about the M-Audio Transit USB adapter (which has a toslink output) and everything has been smooth since then. I would advice you to take a look at the M-audio site and check up the specs for this little gem.. you can get one from ebay (I got mine there for 75 bucks) and it is one of the better investments I have made for my I8200!! let me know hot it goes for you..
Regards