Asus M4A78 Pro and no S/PDIF

[sixdoubleo]

This isn't a Sage TV problem per se, but thought I'd post it here as Sage users are likely to have this board and use S/PDIF.

I have an Asus M4A78 Pro (which uses the VIA 1708 HD Audio Codec) and am plugging the optical S/PDIF out into my Denon receiver. The connection itself works, as I am able to get normal stereo sound (like Windows sounds or MP3 music) through the optical connection. But anything that uses Dolby Digital (such as a DVD or an HD recording in Sage) does not produce any sound.

I know this isn't a problem with Sage, as it behaves the same using Sage, TheaterTek, or any other software capable of playing Dolby Digital content.

I've tried just about everything...uninstall/reinstall the drivers, disable/enable various settings in the BIOS, etc.

Does anybody have this board and have it successfully outputting S/PDIF?

[Professor Chaos]

I'm having the EXACT same problem. I've tried the following (without success):

-installed Windows XP, Vista, and even 7
-updated the BIOS
-Tried different driver revisions (from ASUS and from VIA)

I just RMA'd the motherboard earlier today--I'll let you know what happens with the new board once I've set it up. Do keep me updated on your efforts as well.

[sixdoubleo]

Yes, I will most certainly keep you updated as I am convinced that you and I are the only ones who have this motherboard and are trying to use S/PDIF so far. I may open a ticket with Asus.

Here's some more info....

Under XPSP2:
S/PDIF works, but Dolby Digital does NOT. Plain old Stereo or Dolby Pro Logic THROUGH S/PDIF works fine. When I try to play a Dolby Digital movie through my DVD software (TheaterTek 2.6) I hear an initial "pop" and that's it.

I am running the latest BIOS (I believe it is 0712) and have tried the latest Audio driver from ASUS as well as the latest Audio driver (3/24/2009 date) directly from VIA. Same problem.


Under Vista:
I am able to get everything working fine....but due to some Audio limitations with Vista (inability to output to two Audio outputs at once), I cant use Vista as my HTPC platform. However, because it works with Vista, I assume my hardware is good.

[OldPCGUY]

I had alot of audio issues when I fist setup Sage on an ASUS M2NE with and ATI 3850 Graphics card with Windows XP SP3.

Going through all the various options for setting up audio I got it to work by trial and error with XP (Sounds and Audio Devices properties). Then I found these two tools which were extremely helpful in understanding all the options.

AC3 might help you
http://ac3filter.net/projects/ac3filter

Graph Edit is a great debugging tool
http://ac3filter.net/projects/ac3filter

But the best and ultimate solution is the HD-200. It can handle any audio playback that I have tried (AC3-5.1, AC3-2.1, DVD Various Audio tracks, Blue Ray HD-Audio, Various audio formats from the internet)

[Professor Chaos]

It turns out that the optical port on my motherboard was defective. The replacement board is working fine under Vista. It does sound (no pun intended ) like you have a software issue.

Could you elaborate a bit on your computer specs? This is probably a silly question but is the S/PDIF interface set as the default audio device under 'Sounds and Audio Devices'? I'm asking because my system defaulted to the HDMI interface (I ended up disabling it in the BIOS).

Have you tried playing back Dolby Digital content with VLC media player?

[sixdoubleo]

Well, as you know it's an Asus M4A78 Pro motherboard. I'm using Windows XP. Yes, the S/PDIF is the default device. Like I said, it will play sound just fine as long as it is Stereo or Pro Logic. Only Dobly Digital will not work. Gives a quick "pop" and that's it. Ive used Sage, TheaterTek, and VLC...same problem with all.

I took another hard drive and installed Vista. Then I loaded all the drivers from the Asus DVD that came with the motherboard. Everything works perfect, including Dolby Digital...so I know my board is OK.

But, unfortunately I cant use Vista for my specific application, so I need to get XP working

You wouldn't want to try a quick install of XP on your new board to see if it works would you???

[gsfitz]

I had similar problems but discovered the SoundMax software and AC3 filter settings were my problem.

I installed a S/PDIF adapter so I could output to my receiver. No signals were being passed to my receiver until I forced the use of the S/PDIF in the SoundMax software. I then found out (through this forum) AC3 filter settings had to be changed to pass through 5.1 sound to the S/PDIF.

It worked OK after that.

If you need more info let me know and I can try and post my settings with screens.

Greg

[sixdoubleo]

Originally Posted by gsfitz

I had similar problems but discovered the SoundMax software and AC3 filter settings were my problem.

I installed a S/PDIF adapter so I could output to my receiver. No signals were being passed to my receiver until I forced the use of the S/PDIF in the SoundMax software. I then found out (through this forum) AC3 filter settings had to be changed to pass through 5.1 sound to the S/PDIF.

It worked OK after that.

If you need more info let me know and I can try and post my settings with screens.

Greg

Was it with this motherboard specifically, or perhaps another board that uses the 1708S sound chip? This motherboard doesn't use SoundMax. I want to make it clear that I'm not having problems with getting the S/PDIF itself to work. It is working....it simply isn't transmitting AC3 over S/PDIF....and the problem only exists in XP.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by sixdoubleo

Was it with this motherboard specifically, or perhaps another board that uses the 1708S sound chip? This motherboard doesn't use SoundMax. I want to make it clear that I'm not having problems with getting the S/PDIF itself to work. It is working....it simply isn't transmitting AC3 over S/PDIF....and the problem only exists in XP.

what was the final solution here? did you ever get 5.1 working?