Audio Driver(s) config for S/PDIF passthrough for DTS/DD o/p

This has been driving me crazy for weeks.. since I decided to fix this long-standing issue

Problem: I am unable to get DTS/DD 5.1 audio from the motherboard S/PDIF output, when playing media via VLC 3.0.4 or Media Player Classic, from downloaded media/test files or from DVDs.

What it definitely isn't: S/PDIF - I can get PCM just fine; Windows generally - audio device manager format test outputs DTS and DD test audio to 5 channels correctly.

Key Observation: I have a GTX 1080 Ti which feeds HDMI to a Panasonic TV. All the nVidia drivers were installed, even though I did not use the TV audio (preferring the 5.1 out of my Denon AVR-1306 receiver via S/PDIF).

On updating the graphics driver recently (to 416.34) I accidentally omitted the HD Audio driver. Before rebooting I realised this and decided to retest VLC audio output. With the Denon set to decode DTS only I was surprised to hear audio from the DTS 5.1 demo media I played. Unfortunately it was only stereo.

I tried changing the DirectX speak config from Stereo to 5.1 in VLC and then I received nothing. So I rebooted, thinking that would clear out any lingering driver traces.

Unfortunately, on reboot I cannot get any DTS output (again)... let alone 5.1, but because nothing else changed that VLC config probably isn't the (whole) problem either .

Audio device a management has the Realtek High Definition Audio Digital Output as default and all others - Realtek Speakers, Panasonic-TV, 3 x Digital Audio (HDMI) with Microsoft Drivers - disabled. The Realtek HD Audio driver is 6.0.1.8339

And FWIW, System services does have DTS APO Service running and there don't seem to be any problems with the components it depends on (RPC, DCOM Server, RPC Endpoint mapper, Windows Audio Endpoint Builder"

Question: if I could be more specific I would - it's just: what do I have to do to get DTS/DD 5.1 out of this system that is clearly capable of doing so and only seems not to because of some configuration issues. And/or how would I trace the problem further?

TIA - J

I don't use the PC S/PDIF, but I've seen several posts on computer forums (including this one) that says the S/PDIF is only 2.1. You have to use a separate sound card and I've seen ASUS Xonar mentioned as having 5.1 S/PDIF. I can't confirm this, just what I've seen posted on questions about PC S/PDIF.

Thanks - but no, I don't have that KB installed.

Caledon Ken said:

Hi Mr. Stuff. Welcome to the TenForrums @Mr Stuff

While I do not have specific proof this update ( or an earlier version of same) has caused a lot of sound issue for a lot of people.

KB4468550 Intel audio driver Update for Windows 10 1709, 1803, 1809

Was this recently installed on your device? It is supposed to fix things.

As far as I can tell I do not have Intel Smart Sound; there is nothing related in Device Manager.

Also, (re someone else's point) S/PDIF can provide DTS 5.1 because it played the test tone from the windows audio device manager.

Why should pass-through be any different?

Caledon Ken said:

Please have a read on link.

It may be part of your solution.

I do not have nay SST devices; that article does not apply, and it is not a recent issue.

I appreciate the interest but I would like specific, targeted suggestions for the config etc. I have provided.

I have tried all the "generic", "simple" etc. "solutions" one can Google and was hoping for some insightful comment here.

Caledon Ken said:

Lots of things being produced now about sound. Have a look at this.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/new...ndows-updates/