2.2K Posts

January 28th, 2006 23:00

I would expect the S/PDIF signal to be available through the dongle attached to the S-Video output port as shown in the Owner's Manual, and that the pinout shown for the S-Viodeo output port as shown in the Service Manual is incorrect. (Both manuals are available in the User's Guide section of Dell Support behind the "Notebooks" tab at the top of this page.)
 
Presuming it is connected and enabled properly, I see no reason for it to not work unless the dongle or sound card is defective or the Owner's Manual is incorrect.
 
Two different dongles are shown in the manual, one to provide composite video and one to provide component video, and both diagrams indicate an S/PDIF connection on one end.
 
Two methods of enabling S/PDIF audio are described in the manual. One setting, in the DVD playback software, may pertain to enabling S/PDIF during DVD playback only. The other setting, in the Advanced Volume Control menu as you previously identified, should (presumably) enable S/PDIF when all other audio sources are used.
 

GM

14 Posts

January 29th, 2006 07:00

Thanks GreyMack,

Actually I have tested the both ways. DVD Playback didn't either send any sound through the spdif connector on the dongle. I'm sure I selected the spdif-setting from sound options. I have the dongle with three ports (s-video, composite video coax and spdif audio coax).

I was amazed that Dell's supports personnel did not know anything about this issue. They just search their solution database and make pretty obvious propositions. All which I have already tested. They did send me a new dongle. I hope it makes a difference, but I doubt it. We'll have to see.

Cheers,
Jari

2.2K Posts

January 29th, 2006 10:00

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

GM

14 Posts

January 29th, 2006 10:00

Thanks,

I just have to wait for the dongle to arrive. Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out a way to test some other version of audio drivers. I haven't still found any...

This isn't helping either:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_audio&message.id=26072

Actually, I haven't tested those drivers recommended by SpeedStep. That driver which has been published 26th of January is actually of the same version as I currently have installed. Funny, as I got my laptop from Dell on thursday. The assembly was done on wednesday 25th of January.

I'll keep you posted.

Jari

11 Posts

February 4th, 2006 19:00

Hey I'm having this exact same problem on my inspiron E1705 (exact same thing as the 9400) Did you ever fix the problem?

11 Posts

February 4th, 2006 20:00

oh and just to add: the video portion of the dongle works perfectly.

11 Posts

February 4th, 2006 20:00

that would be much appreciated. eventually I'm going to get an audigy 2 zs notebook, but I wanted to try to get the builtin card to work too.. I tried it on two different devices that support digital audio (my home theatre and my desktop speaker system) and the same thing happens in both so it's definitely the driver, the dongle, or the hardware itself (I have a feeling its the driver, but who knows)

14 Posts

February 4th, 2006 20:00

Not yet actually. I've been in contact with the Dell Support Personnel. The person who has been helping me to get through this is still invstigating the matter.

Grhm... I did buy SB Live! 24-bit External. I guess I'm not that patient :).

I will inform you here, if I get new info. Be sure of that!

Cheers,
Jari

14 Posts

February 5th, 2006 05:00

Yeah,

The S-Video on the dongle works perfectly for mee too. I've not tested the composite video, but Im guessing it works too. I suspect the hardware more than the driver, but I'll guess will know in a while.

Jari

11 Posts

February 8th, 2006 18:00

Any response yet?

14 Posts

February 8th, 2006 19:00

Nope. Still waiting for it...

Jari

14 Posts

February 14th, 2006 18:00

Still no reply... I'll have to contact them myself later on. I promise I'll keep you posted.

Jari

1 Message

February 14th, 2006 22:00

Thanks Jari! :smileyhappy:

Message Edited by jjamie_007 on 02-14-2006 06:47 PM

11 Posts

February 15th, 2006 11:00

Thanks! :)

11 Posts

February 21st, 2006 21:00

Wow they sure are taking forever to figure this out. I hope its something that can be solved without major maintainence on the laptop..
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