5.1 in Movies but Not Games via HDMI

[dozy4850]

• Dolby Pro Logic II: DPL II processes any high-quality stereo signal source into five separate full frequency channels (right front, center, left front, right rear and left rear) 5.1 Surround.
• DTS Neo PC: This is a technology based on the DTS Neo:6 matrix surround technology, which transforms any stereo content (MP3, WMA, CD Audio, or games) into a simulated 7.1-channel surround sound experience. The 7.1-channel surround sound is output as a DTS stream for output via a S/PDIF cable port.

Dolby Digital Live (DDL) is a real-time encoding technology for interactive media such as video games. It converts any audio signals on a PC or game console into a 5.1 channel 16bit, 48 kHz, 640 kbit/s Dolby Digital format and transports it via a single S/PDIF cable.

DTS Interactive: This is a real-time DTS stream encoder. On the PC, it takes multichannel audio and converts it into a 1.5 Mbit/s DTS stream for output. Because it uses the original DTS codec to transmit audio, fidelity is limited to 5.1 channel at 48 kHz, 24bit 1.5 Mbit/s .


DTS Neo PC is only suitable for quadraphonic, 5.1 or 7.1 analog connections selected and u must have a 3.5mm 5.1 or 7.1 jacked
View attachment 234414
Also, I remember that when I changed the DTS Neo PC options from Music to Movie, nothing happened when I listened to any stereo or multichannel sound.

So I can happily report your help allowed me to finally get TRUE surround sound in my games on PC over SPDIF
I really can't thank you enough. If you're in Portland or Dallas, I'd like to buy you dinner @Gustavo Sicha

You went above and beyond to hand hold me and help me not just set it up but also understand more about the formats. Thank you so much!

And I suoppose its the Dolby Pro Logic II but now all my music stuff has a much much bigger bass. And the sound sounds richer. WOW!

You need to create it for that, select right click on the blank => New => DWORD (32 bit) value and then name it ''DisableProtectedAudioDG'' with hex value ''1''

remember that this record may self-delete after a forced Windows 10 update from Windows Update it's always good to check if the record is still there after a big windows updateView attachment 234404

So if Windows updates itself, I need to check the registry again? Do I need to re run the Realtek driver installation again?

 

[Gustavo Sicha]

So I can happily report your help allowed me to finally get TRUE surround sound in my games on PC over SPDIF
I really can't thank you enough. If you're in Portland or Dallas, I'd like to buy you dinner @Gustavo Sicha

You went above and beyond to hand hold me and help me not just set it up but also understand more about the formats. Thank you so much!

And I suoppose its the Dolby Pro Logic II but now all my music stuff has a much much bigger base. And the sound sounds richer. WOW!



So if Windows updates itself, I need to check the registry again? Do I need to re run the Realtek driver installation again?

It is possible that they only reset the configuration, although in my last update of windows 11 the modified registry was deleted and I had to recreate it and the modified realtek did not touch it, but there are cases of other users claiming that Windows 10 deletes their modified Realtek for a generic Realtek, another way is to disable windows update

 

[dozy4850]

It is possible that they only reset the configuration, although in my last update of windows 11 the modified registry was deleted and I had to recreate it and the modified realtek did not touch it, but there are cases of other users claiming that Windows 10 deletes their modified Realtek for a generic Realtek, another way is to disable windows update

And you said anything above 2.8 no longer works correct? I wonder when it will be able to work. Is that only a Windows 11 problem or does it affect windows 10 as well if you go above 2.8

 

[Gustavo Sicha]

Also if you are using an AV Receiver or Sound Bar turn off any sound effects such as DTS Neo 6 or Dolby Pro Logic or Sound Bar Mode and select not to use any sound effects so you can hear the sound as it was recorded this so you

 

[dozy4850]

Also if you are using an AV Receiver or Sound Bar turn off any sound effects such as DTS Neo 6 or Dolby Pro Logic or Sound Bar Mode and select not to use any sound effects so you can hear the sound as it was recorded this so you

I am using a soundbar. Using Pro Logic makes the sound more bass heavy. I like it I'll have to see if it remains that way when I turn it off.

Well i just disabled Pro Logic and the bass is still the same.

I thought you wanted me to turn Pro Logic on. Why woudl it be better to turn it off for my 5.1 soundbar?

 

[Gustavo Sicha]

And you said anything above 2.8 no longer works correct? I wonder when it will be able to work. Is that only a Windows 11 problem or does it affect windows 10 as well if you go above 2.8

I tried all versions from R2.73 to R2.80 and they unlock me Dolby Digital Live and DTS Interactive, for some reason in version R2.82 I had to reinstall it 2 times the first from the mandatory signed drivers disabled mode and the second reinstalling from the device manager and then from R.2.83, 84, 85,... 89, 90,... etc the patch no longer works and it is not possible to unlock DDL and DTS also the new Realtek DCH no longer weigh 300mb but now they only weigh 11mb.

 

[dozy4850]

I tried all versions from R2.73 to R2.80 and they unlock me Dolby Digital Live and DTS Interactive, for some reason in version R2.82 I had to reinstall it 2 times the first from the mandatory signed drivers disabled mode and the second reinstalling from the device manager and then from R.2.83, 84, 85,... 89, 90,... etc the patch no longer works and it is not possible to unlock DDL and DTS also the new Realtek DCH no longer weigh 300mb but now they only weigh 11mb.

And this is both Windows 10 and Windows 11?

 

[Gustavo Sicha]

I am using a soundbar. Using Pro Logic makes the sound more bass heavy. I like it I'll have to see if it remains that way when I turn it off.

Well i just disabled Pro Logic and the bass is still the same.

I thought you wanted me to turn Pro Logic on. Why woudl it be better to turn it off for my 5.1 soundbar?

if you like the effects of strong bass then use Dolby Pro Logic from your soundbar, in my case I always disable all effects like DTS Neo 6 or Dolby Pro Logic II coming from my AV receiver since in the PC the driver Realtek audio already has the Dolby Pro Logic II option enabled and if you enabled DPLII on my receiver I will hear a lot of bass and not witness treble and surround effects as well as dialogue.

And this is both Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Works perfectly on Windows 10 but found to work on Windows 11 as well

 

[Ferather]

I would use the IT663x1 over the LG if thats the case, it has hardware 6 channels and all formats. If you want Interactive for Realtek I have an unlocked driver (here).
Some devices you might need to edit-add a device policy, however the ALC1220 might already support DTS without changes (My 889 does).

All-most of the instructions you need are in post 1, for the majority of people you just install and do nothing else.
Once you have the pack running, you can also add DTS to the GPU device (ask if you need help).




Note, there is no NEO-PC in this version, it uses expand tech and does not sound great.
Instead use E-APO to upmix stereo to 5.1 or 7.1 + DTS:X spatial (on by default).

E-APO can be turned on-off, unlike the Neo-PC (always on).

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[dozy4850]

if you like the effects of strong bass then use Dolby Pro Logic from your soundbar, in my case I always disable all effects like DTS Neo 6 or Dolby Pro Logic II coming from my AV receiver since in the PC the driver Realtek audio already has the Dolby Pro Logic II option enabled and if you enabled DPLII on my receiver I will hear a lot of bass and not witness treble and surround effects as well as dialogue.





Works perfectly on Windows 10 but found to work on Windows 11 as well

Do I need to worry about Windows auto updating the realtek driver and wiping away the modified driver? Or does that only happen when Windows 10 updates itself? @Gustavo Sicha

 

[Gustavo Sicha]

Do I need to worry about Windows auto updating the realtek driver and wiping away the modified driver? Or does that only happen when Windows 10 updates itself? @Gustavo Sicha

I don't think anything will happen if Windows 10 is updated even if you update to Windows 11 it will keep the current realtek drivers but every time there is a big update weighing more than 7gb it's always good to check if the modified realtek drivers are still intact

 

[dozy4850]

I don't think anything will happen if Windows 10 is updated even if you update to Windows 11 it will keep the current realtek drivers but every time there is a big update weighing more than 7gb it's always good to check if the modified realtek drivers are still intact

And the realtek driver doesn't auto update itself? @Gustavo Sicha

 

[Gustavo Sicha]

And the realtek driver doesn't auto update itself? @Gustavo Sicha

It does not automatically update, but if you manually force the update of the modified Realtek driver, it will update, it will erase your current modified Realtek and install a generic Realtek provided by Windows 10

And the realtek driver doesn't auto update itself? @Gustavo Sicha

I also just created a new publication with the basic guide to unlock DDL and DTS, if you like, save it in your favorites folder of your browser, which if we say Windows 10 manages to delete the modified Realtek driver, then you can reinstall the modified Realtek by following the basic guide

Unlocked Realtek HD Audio Drivers for Windows 11 (Dolby Digital Live/DTS Interactive)

This is a basic guide and it will only serve to unlock the Dolby Digital Live and DTS Interactive nothing else using their own official drivers Realtek Audio Guide to enable Dolby Digital Live and/or DTS Interactive: 1. Uninstall your existing Realtek drivers with Display Driver Uninstaller...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[roster17]

You can have a transcoder (DTS, Dolby), on the system and still get 2 channel always, as you mentioned.
This happens if the device, the driver or APO does not correctly adjust registry data.

In some cases a device might have an in-built policy you cannot edit (lack of tools), or restrictions.

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If I remember correctly, If I set HDMI to 5.1 via the system tray, it sets 6 channels, but not fully.

Please give me tools. I have DTS interactive and DDL, but spdif shows up only as 2 channels, and games default run in stereo, unless they've an option to use surround. DirectX reads only 2 channels as a default. Need to change it in registry or sound driver.
Entries:

{1da5d803-d492-4edd-8c23-e0c0ffee7f0e},3
{1da5d803-d492-4edd-8c23-e0c0ffee7f0e},6

doesn't change anything.
Can't change:

{1da5d803-d492-4edd-8c23-e0c0ffee7f0e},0 from "8" to "1" -after reboot been renewed by driver (I think) back to "8"

Any other entries can be about 6 channels reporting?
What tool use to modify *.sys drivers?

Any sugestions, pls ?

 

[dozy4850]

Please give me tools. I have DTS interactive and DDL, but spdif shows up only as 2 channels, and games default run in stereo, unless they've an option to use surround. DirectX reads only 2 channels as a default. Need to change it in registry or sound driver.
Entries:

{1da5d803-d492-4edd-8c23-e0c0ffee7f0e},3
{1da5d803-d492-4edd-8c23-e0c0ffee7f0e},6

doesn't change anything.
Can't change:

{1da5d803-d492-4edd-8c23-e0c0ffee7f0e},0 from "8" to "1" -after reboot been renewed by driver (I think) back to "8"

Any other entries can be about 6 channels reporting?
What tool use to modify *.sys drivers?

Any sugestions, pls ?

In case you don't get it. I'd suggest getting a Creative Soundblaster sound card with DDL and DTS Connect. It simplifies everything for you and you don't need to fiddle around @roster17

I was able to use the solution Gustavo Sicha suggested and it worked for me in almost every game. But a few games still wouldn't do true 5.1 sound like Witcher 3 and Halo 2 Annivesary. Getting creative Soundblaster SB-E fixed all this

 

[lexluthermiester]

Hi I have a 2080 Ti on an Asrock Z490 Taichi Motherboard and its hooked up to my LG C6 TV at 4K. The TV uses ARC to my Vizio M51A soundbar so I get audio.

I have noticed I get solid 5.1 in movies and even some surround effects in my music. BUT...

When it comes to games like Halo MCC, Infinite and others, I get "fake" surround sound.

What I mean is that the dialogue and sound effects only come from the front but not from the rear. The only thing the rear speakers output is background music which I suspect is just the virtualization effect of the subwoofer workign it's magic.

The actual sound is not directional. If an enemy is coming from the rear or shooting at me, those sounds are coming from the L C R speakers in the soundbar but nothing from the rear except if there's ambient music.

This is opposite to the movies I play which have actual directional sound.

My Windows sound settings for my display via HDMI only shows 2 channels. but shows DTS and Dolby Digital as encoded formats. How can I get actual 5.1 sound via my HDMI connection. And yes my HDMI cable is working properly. Able to display 4K60 and clearly 5.1 sound via movies at 4K

I used to have a discreet but cumbersome sound system that manually took 3.5mm inputs for L,C, R, LR, RR ports and I got 5.1 that way but I'd think in 2022 I'd be able to get 5.1 via HDMI on my graphics card

Or do I need to try using my Motherboard's SPDIF connector? I doubt if the games don't put out 5.1 via HDMI, the SPDIF won't be able to either. The soundcard on the Z490 is ALC1220

Screenshot of my HDMI connection:
View attachment 234210

Simple answer, you need a sound card that will decode and output the 5.1 spec for all codecs in all contexts. Onboard sound rarely does this. Get yourself a 5.1/7.1 SoundBlaster card or DAC and you should be good.

 

[roster17]

So i borrowed SB X-Fi 5.1 Pro with OEM DDL.
Now I know what was wrong. SB X-Fi needs to use analog speaker as a default in games, DDL turned on just send parrarel signal via SPDIF . SPDIF appears as 2 channels, but games work in 5.1.
If u just select SPDIF as an output - reporting to directX 2 channels, and game is stereo.
If the game sees 5.1 analog in DirectX output, SB copys sound to SPDIF, what couldn't be done with SB Live! 24 bit external.

Looks like SPDIF with DDL is just an encoder. Pitty, that must buy new device . Maybe is there a software which encodes 5.1 to DDL on the fly?

 

[Mussels]

Looks like SPDIF with DDL is just an encoder. Pitty, that must buy new device . Maybe is there a software which encodes 5.1 to DDL on the fly?

SPDIF was only ever made to send stereo signals.

DDL and DTS were made for pre encoded use on DVD's.

There is absolutely software that encodes 5.1 audio to DDL and DTS: and it only works on certain, supported sound cards like the creative ones people keep mentioning. Since SPDIF is a very old, borderline abandoned technology the challenge is finding a card with modern driver support.

 

[roster17]

SPDIF was only ever made to send stereo signals.

DDL and DTS were made for pre encoded use on DVD's.

There is absolutely software that encodes 5.1 audio to DDL and DTS: and it only works on certain, supported sound cards like the creative ones people keep mentioning. Since SPDIF is a very old, borderline abandoned technology the challenge is finding a card

What software do You mean?
So, what format of digital multichannel is a good way? HDMI?

 

[bug]

What software do You mean?
So, what format of digital multichannel is a good way? HDMI?

In the PC world, it's either HDMI or DP. Since consumer electronics almost never support DP, HDMI is usually the default option.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yep dp/ computer compatible tv's are way to expensive to be mainstream so hdmi smart or dumb tv's rule
Easy to try all of them have hdmi ports so do graphic's cards ironic isn't it.

 

[lexluthermiester]

What software do You mean?
So, what format of digital multichannel is a good way? HDMI?

Again, you need a Sound Card or DAC that has 5.1 output and a DDS compatible audio receiver. You need to plug the outputs(yes, through analogue cables, not HDMI) of the sound device into the receiver and select that input to hear the output. There will be three cable sets: Front L/R, Rear L/R and Center/Sub. For PC's, this is how to make 5.1 work properly.

 

[Mussels]

What software do You mean?
So, what format of digital multichannel is a good way? HDMI?

Whatever software comes with the soundcard.
You cant mix and match here, you need a soundcard with hardware support, and it's matching software.

Yes, some driver mods exist to try and get it to work on some onboard realtek audio (because the hardware existed already, but was disabled since they didnt pay to enable it) but it's got a lot of complications and limitations.

Analog audio is the simplest, with each stereo cable you add, adding two channels. three cables, 6 channels, tada 5.1

HDMI is the ideal for multi channel digital audio, PCM is the 'universal' 'it just works' codec ideal for PC use.

 

[Ferather]

SPDIF is what drives HDMI audio, which is why they are cross compatible and use the same transport methods and IEC.
Original TOSLink @ 3.1mbps indeed could only handle 2 channel uncompressed, or compressed 5.1.

SPDIF actually has no real limits, and TOSLInk is a connector, which is now 125mpbs, faster than HDMI and DP.
The IEC specs have been updated several times, its more OEM's not supporting it.

There are real devices that can do 64+ channels using SPDIF pro.

----

For older devices or lack of OEM support, you will indeed need the legacy method (DTS Surround, Dolby Digital Live).

For games (which output PCM) to work in legacy mode, you need to transcode the 5.1 PCM to 5.1 DTS-DDL.
In terms of a driver this its done via software, normally an APO, that transcodes PCM on the device.

The DTS APO I use actually sets SPDIF as 6 channel PCM, with compression at the final end, before output.

Game (5.1 PCM) > Device (6 ch PCM) > PCM processing (SFX, MFX) > PCM to DTS (EFX) > Out


The game audio is likely compressed as AAC or similar, but the audio device will get PCM (unless its passthrough).

----

The HBR portion of HDMI technically only specifies it can do 24.5mbps (likely for DTS-HD MA), its max is 37mbps.

----

Conversion of SPDIF to HDMI with essentially a programmable audio EDID.




====

Some extra info:

Audio devices and their specifications are usually in regards to its PCM capability, even with receivers.
The two main limiting factors are total sample aggregate and total bitrate available.

For example, a device with 768KHz total samples and a 20mbps module, lets say TOSLink.

@24 bit 768KHz can be: 2x 384KHz 24b, 4x 192KHz 24b, 8x 96KHz 24b.

All of the above, end up using the same total aggregate, and also bitrate, 18.432mbps.

My ALC 889, does 2x 192KHz on SPDIF, which requires 9.2mbps and 384k aggregate.
It also supports: 8 x 48KHz 24b, which is 9.2mbps and 384k aggregate.

The legacy DTS Surround and Dolby Digital live only support 6 channels for transcoding.
Normally a receiver that supports a format will decompress to PCM, for DAC's.

----

Last edit (sorry for the long post):

DTS-HD both MA and HRA, contain a DTS Surround core, which can be played on legacy setups.

I can bitstream all formats using an HDMI 2.0 to TOSLink 125mbps module, and also most with my ALC 889.
In either case my receiver does not support the formats via TOSLink in, sad face.

Interestingly in both cases the noise is the same, due to receiver support (thinks its PCM).
I can also utilize the full sample rate and bitrate of HDMI 2.0 via the converter.

 

[Mussels]

SPDIF is what drives HDMI audio, which is why they are cross compatible and use the same transport methods and IEC.
Original TOSLink @ 3.1mbps indeed could only handle 2 channel uncompressed, or compressed 5.1.

No, that's entirely not correct.

For digital audio, if an HDMI device has audio, it is required to implement the baseline format: stereo (uncompressed) PCM. Other formats are optional, with HDMI allowing up to 8 channels of uncompressed audio at sample sizes of 16 bits, 20 bits, or 24 bits, with sample rates of 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, or 192 kHz.[5]: §7  HDMI also carries any IEC 61937-compliant compressed audio stream, such as Dolby Digital and DTS, and up to 8 channels of one-bit DSD audio (used on Super Audio CDs) at rates up to four times that of Super Audio CD.[5]: §7  With version 1.3, HDMI allows lossless compressed audio streams Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.[5]: §7  As with the Y′CBCR video, audio capability is optional. Audio return channel (ARC) is a feature introduced in the HDMI 1.4 standard.[41] "Return" refers to the case where the audio comes from the TV and can be sent "upstream" to the AV receiver using the HDMI cable connected to the AV receiver.[41] An example given on the HDMI website is that a TV that directly receives a terrestrial/satellite broadcast, or has a video source built in, sends the audio "upstream" to the AV receiver.[41]

The only thing they can do equally, is stereo PCM audio at 24 bit 192Khz. SPDIF does not have the bandwidth for anything above that.
All your screenshot above has shown, is all the compressed formats that fit within SPDIF's bandwidth, and tickboxes to show you've got passthrough turned on. That wont help with PC audio playback.


HDMI was backwards compatible with SPDIF audio standards, not 'driven by them'