HDMI Audio Dropouts when configured for 7.1

jlutsky

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May 10, 2013
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10,510
I'm running Windows 7 with a GTX 590 sending HDMI audio out to a Pioneer VSX-1121. When I configure the Nvidia HighDef audio device for stereo everything works fine, but when I configure it for anything else (5.1/7.1) I get random audio dropouts every 10 seconds or so. They only last for a brief moment, but happen very often.
 

boju

Titan
Ambassador
How long is the hdmi cable and can you try or purchase a better quality one. Sounds to me it may be the quality or faulty cable and hopefully nothing else.

Try a set of headphones connecting to your receiver while windows is set to 5.1 or 7.1 to rule out any operating system conflicts.
 

jlutsky

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May 10, 2013
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10,510


Current cable is 6ft, but I have tried 8 different cables of varying sizes and several DVI to HDMI adapters. Certain cables specifically indicated high-speed and 7.1 sound support.

I also noticed I get the drop out problem when windows in configured for stereo, but I increase the quality to 24bit, 192khz.
 

jlutsky

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May 10, 2013
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10,510


According to NVIDIA, here is the audio specification for the GTX 590 reference design when using the supplied DVI to HDMI adapter:

Support for the following audio modes:
• Dolby Digital (AC3), DTS 5.1, Multi-channel (7.1) LPCM, Dolby Digital Plus (DD+), MPEG2/MPEG4 AAC
• Data rates of 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz, 88.2 KHz, 96 KHz, 176 KHz, and 192 KHz
• Word sizes of 16-bit, 20-bit, and 24-bit
 

jlutsky

Honorable
May 10, 2013
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10,510


Yes, certain combinations work and others don't:

Stereo @48khz/16bit WORKS
Stereo @192khz/24bit DOESN'T WORK
5.1/7.1 @48khz/16bit DOESN'T WORK
 

boju

Titan
Ambassador
Try reinstall/update video card drivers (select custom and choose clean install if you do reinstall Nvidia drivers)

How long have you had your setup for and has it worked before? Try other hdmi inputs of the receiver and look for any menu settings for the receiver you may have overlooked.