Latest Realtek HD Audio Driver Version

Brink · 11 May 2015

Latest Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs

Microsoft Update Catalog Realtek download page

Note

Latest info now here - Latest Realtek HD Audio Driver Version [2]

DooGie · 03 Jan 2017

asturias7 said:

Thanks DooGie.

Someone let me know if it's worth updating.

Someone else will have to let you know asturias7 as I'm off for six weeks holiday in an hour :)

OldMike65 · 03 Jan 2017

DooGie said:

Someone else will jhave to let you know asturias7 as I'm off for six weeks holiday in an hour :)

6 WEEKS OFF!!!!! Holy Smokes you got a lot of vacation time!!!!

Congrats :)

f14tomcat · 03 Jan 2017

DooGie said:

Someone else will jhave to let you know asturias7 as I'm off for six weeks holiday in an hour :)

Long flight to New Zealand! What's your route and time?

asturias7 · 03 Jan 2017

DooGie said:

Someone else will jhave to let you know asturias7 as I'm off for six weeks holiday in an hour :)

OK.
Enjoy! 6 weeks, wow! I'll be 3 weeks in Florida.:)

ComputerGeek · 03 Jan 2017

ComputerGeek said:

Will post sometime later as have to run out now.

OK. Created new thread to continue discussion elsewhere

Trying to Analyze a Realtek Audio driver install

spapakons said:

There is no need to go to command prompt. You can use a utility such as Aida64 to see all details in GUI. <snip>

The advantage of Devcon wasn't hightlighted in my original post but have a look at the Devcon output shown in that post. Devcon shows ALL hardware ids for a devcie. Aida64 only shows one. Devcon also shows all Compatible IDs.

ComputerGeek · 03 Jan 2017

wiggly1uk2000 said:

I have noticed that the INF file (applicable to my motherboard audio codec) in the 8023 driver package has this comment written at the top:

; X-Fi MB3 Hardware ID locking

X-Fi obviously refers to Creative hardware but what's Hardware ID locking all about? I realise the official recommendation for this problem would be to only install drivers supplied by the motherboard maker but this is the first time I've had compatibility issues with a new Realtek driver. I'd love to get to the bottom of these recent driver changes. Anyone with any insight or ideas?

I found 7 INFs commented with Hardware ID Locking including (not the complete list)

Code:

Creative MB2 Hardware ID locking
D-company X-Fi MB3 Hardware ID locking
SoundBlaster Cinema 3 Hardware ID locking (M-company ESS case)

I also found this from thread Unlocked Realtek HD Audio Drivers Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 (With Dolby Digital Live and DTS Interactive)

Unlocked options you will get:
- Dolby Digital Live
- DTS Interactive
- Dolby Home Theater (Dolby Virtual Speaker for 2 speakers, Dolby Pro Logic II for >2 speakers)
- DTS Neo: PC

Sounds like some Realtek drivers include licensed features that only run on specific h/w (maybe locked based on audio chip h/w id?). Do you have any of the licensed features? Sounds like the bundled the driver files together into a single INF but licensed features only available from specific h/w ids.

spapakons · 04 Jan 2017

ComputerGeek said:

I found 7 INFs commented with Hardware ID Locking including (not the complete list)

Code:

Creative MB2 Hardware ID lockingD-company X-Fi MB3 Hardware ID lockingSoundBlaster Cinema 3 Hardware ID locking (M-company ESS case)

I also found this from thread Unlocked Realtek HD Audio Drivers Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 (With Dolby Digital Live and DTS Interactive)Sounds like some Realtek drivers include licensed features that only run on specific h/w (maybe locked based on audio chip h/w id?). Do you have any of the licensed features? Sounds like the bundled the driver files together into a single INF but licensed features only available from specific h/w ids.

Most likely some Creative sound card models (probably USB) use Realtek chipsets instead of Creative's proprietary. This is a more convincing explanation than telling Realtek uses Creative's technology.

CountMike · 04 Jan 2017

Well, Creative started all sound card trend with first Sound Blaster. I had me one of those first ones, it included connector for proprietary CD player. Sound was lousy and noisy as hell but it worked. Couple of interesting programs came with it, Dr Sbaitsu and Parrot.
In those early PCs AT keyboard controller was actually a sound chip, there was a driver for Windows 3.1 to use it as default sound device thru speaker connected to MB and used as POST sound device.
Only after few years came out outrageously priced Turtle Beach and others.

wiggly1uk2000 · 04 Jan 2017

Interesting stuff regarding Creative/Realtek and a good explanation of the hardware ID locking but I'm still confused as to why the 8023 drivers are missing the Creative driver components. Whilst I'm quite sure that many Realtek audio codecs don't require these Creative drivers, my motherboard seems to be mute without them! And yet, it does not contain any Creative hardware, just a Realtek ALC1150 with the option to run additional Creative audio processing software (bundled with the motherboard but never installed since I don't need it).

Oh well, back to 8010 until I can find the answer. Perhaps I'll keep trying each new driver release until I find one that works.