S/PDIF digital volume control?

[davidk21770]

Resolved -- see last post
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I just switched from analog stereo to digital S/PDIF optical. My problem is that I can no longer control the volume with Sage? (Master volume does not control S/PDIF output, wave volume does).

I do not want to control it from my receiver via my remote because it is out of sight to my remote (ie., I can't!). I've searched the threads and can't find anything on how to get Sage to adjust the S/PDIF digital volume.

Any help appreciated!

[KeithAbbott]

Generally speaking, controlling volume in the digital domain is not a good practice. Maybe your receiver has an optional IR extender input?

[davidk21770]

I thought that it just changed a volume field in the data stream (not a real change).
It's being done by windows anyway unless I have the wave volume at max.

[stanger89]

There's no volume metadata in the audio stream, any volume change is "real".

The bigger issue is that digital can be a bitstream, ie an AC3 or DTS stream, and this simply cannot be changed because they are not audio, they are "data" until they reach your AVR.

[MacDaddy]

In my earlier days of actually building a client HTPC box, I went the route of loading a software AC3 decoder and linking analog to my receiver just so I could control volume. It was a PITA to keep the stack working, plus in those days the decoder chewed up a lot of CPU. I found an offboard decoder that would take TOSLINK and decode to 6 analog channels with a built in IR receiver for volume control. I was able to map the volume control and was happy for a while.

When Sage brought out their HD-x00 media extenders, I flipped back around and relocated the amp with the media extenders.

Looks to me like the trade off is you can run one cable (TOSlink or Coax) to take a digital stream to the amp and run an IR repeater to control volume - the Two Cable approach. OR, you can run 6 line level cable pairs and get a decoder box to set alongside your media extender for local digital volume control - the Six Cable approach.

Sure wish the HDMI CEC was there and "just worked":-)

Here is a link to a preamp decoder similar to my first attempt. Good luck. http://www.hdtvsupply.com/dolby-ac3-...o-decoder.html

[Grasshopper]

I think AC3Filter enables you to do this. Not sure, though -- give it a try.

[davidk21770]

I believe that I am using the AC3 decoder. Maybe that's why I can control the digital output via wave volume -- but sage won't adjust it (well, my wife tells me that it works for a few of her shows, but not most and I haven't had a chance to check to see what's common).

BUT, I ended-up putting a mirror on a desk that faces my receiver so I can direct my remote at the mirror and control my receiver. Low tech, but working quite well .

Thanks for the inputs!

[davidk21770]

It is possible to get sage to control the wave volume.
Edit the properties file and change:
media_player_uses_system_volume=false

Note that this sometimes has the side effect of sage leaving the wave volume at 0 on exit. I made an ahk script (auto hot keys) to restore the volume to my defaults.