Few months ago I built a HTPC using ASUS P5Q-E motherboard and Asus EAH4670 video card. I put there XP Professional SP3. The HTPC is just a front end media player, the media library itself resides on a dedicated file server (Thecus N7700). The media players I am using are Power DVD Ultra 9 and VLC.
I am still having my old Yamaha RX-V2400 receiver, which does not have HDMI inputs and outputs. The workaround, until I probably buy Yamaha RX-V3900, is that I got the HDMI outputs of my sources – DVD player, Dish Network VIP 722 receiver and the HTPC connected to the HDMI inputs of the TV (Sony Bravia XBR9). From the TV I am taking the SPDF audio output directly to the RX-V2400 receiver, which now works as a basic 5.1 surround processor and amplifier.
Everything works as expected, when the DVD player or the Dish receiver are selected, the A/V processor gets normal surround sound from the TV. The PROBLEM appears, when I play a media from the HTPC, the A/V processor receives only 2-channel stereo.
Asus EAH4670 video card was made to appeal to HTPC crowd, it is HDCP, has HDMI out. When it plays DVD-s and blue rays the video is gorgeous on the 52 inch screen. But, even with the latest drivers I am getting only 2 audio channels out of it.
In the Windows Control Panel/ Sound and Audio Devices I have selected “ATI HD Audio Rear Output” and “5.1 surround sound speakers” as a speaker setup. The Power DVD player is also set to support surround. No difference.
I have already tested and eliminated as possible culprits the HDMI cable and the TV HDMI input port (unfortunately swapping cables and TV ports will not help if there is a weird hand shake problem between the video card and the TV).
The Asus technical support is as worthy as a bag of rocks. Their latest advice is to put the card on some other PC and see what happens (like I have a whole lab full with PC-s, ready for testing).
Has anybody experienced a similar problem? I will appreciate suggestions.
