PC Drivers & Software

[andmiles27]

I am running windows 8.1 with a R9 280x and I am unable to get surround sound to work using my hdmi.  I am sending it to a TV then thru an ARC HDMI to a soundbar. All other devices, xbox etc, can be plugged into the same hdmi port on the tv and the 5.1 works with my surround sound soundbar set up. Only the PC won't output in 5.1. It says in the AMD High Definition Audio Device properties that the only audio format currently supported is 2 channels. Nowhere will it allow me to choose 5.1. I have all current drivers for windows and AMD. I also have a HDMI audio extractor which has a 5.1 switch on it. I turn that on and no change on the PC. I have spent many hours trying to figure this out and nothing worked. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[elstaci]

In Windows 10 Sound Panel under "Default Audio Device" when you press "Configure" when you mouse click on the icon, what does it show?  The TV as being Stereo, Correct?  You don't see your Soundbar in the Sound Panel,Correct?

If your HDMI is connected to the TV directly that is why you are only seeing Stereo since the TV only has two speakers.

What you need to do is connect the HDMI cable from the GPU Card HDMI Output to the Soundbar HDMI Input. Then from the Soundbar HMDI Output to your Television HDMI Input.

This is the only way that am aware of that Windows 10 will recognize your 5.1 Soundbar. Make sure you have the latest Soundbar driver installed if applicable.

[elstaci]

Another way to connect your soundbar and tv is this method:

1) Connect HDMI Cable from GPU HDMI Output (1) to HDMI Input on your SoundBar.

2) Connect a second HDMI Cable from your GPU HDMI Output (2) to your TV set.

3) Make your Soundbar the "Default Audio Device" in Sound Panel.

4) Use Windows Settings - Display to configure your TV Resolution.