My 5.1 surround setup works with audio test but not in actual use

[Chomp]

I recently picked up a Logitech z506 surround sound kit. I plugged them all up (correctly, trust me) and I ran the audio test that tested each speaker, including the sub, and they all work great. However when I go to YouTube and try a 5.1 test video, only the front two work (not the center). I have configured them to be my default option and adjusted the settings to where it should use 5.1 by default. Any ideas why it won't work on the YouTube test?

-Thanks ahead of time

 

[ssddx]

you said that the windows speaker test came out perfect. likely you have everything hooked up correct.

i have a 5.1 high end sound system hooked up to a receiver (photos in signature link) and the youtube flash video tests only play on my fronts (and sometimes center) regardless of whether they say its a 5.1 surround sound test or not. my thoughts are that surround sound isnt supported by flash and/or youtube and those videos are garbage. in any case most internet streaming and windows sounds are stereo only.

your surround sound content will be games, movies and some specially recorded music. there might be some streaming content with surround sound but for the pc its pretty hard to come by.

here are come actual working surround sound tests
http/www.dolby.com/us/en/consumer/technology/home-theater/dolby-digital-plus-download.html

the TS files can be played by windows media player.

 

[Chomp]

Thank you so much! I kind of thought it might have something to do with it just being the website. Thanks for jumping in so quickly.

 

[Wamphryi]

The weakness in your set up is the reliance on the analog sound card to create the 5.1 experience. Higher end speaker systems have an inbuilt digital to analog converter or DAC that creates the 5.1 experience. Most of the time stereo to DAC equals 5.1 surround. No DAC means the file source has to have been coded to produce data the sound card can use to create the 5.1 scenario. Without the required codecs then the sound becomes disjointed or limited to 2.1.

 

[ssddx]

@wam

dac: digital analog converter. just what do you think a soundcard is (hint: it has a dac). now, i do agree there are many different levels and some are better than others for sure.

if sound was recorded in stereo then there is no way to get true surround from it. most of the time stereo sound to dac (regardless if its a high end sound system or just your soundcard) equals stereo sound and not surround. any kind of surround you do get (from some headphones with an onboard dolby digital soundcard or with software or other such device) are virtual surround only. you cant pull something from nothing without faking it.

the only way to get true surround is from a source recorded in such a manner. again, your system's codecs need to be able to handle it for sure but most soundcards support all of the latest formats.

i'm on a $1500 sound system (my receiver alone was $500) and i note the same issues as the op. its perfectly normal.

 

[dpbsantos]

I know that this is a kind of old topic but I'm having difficulties to find a solution to my case.

My problem is very similar to the case in this post, I have a hp Elitebook 8560w connected via hdmi to my yamaha receiver that is connected to my tv.
When connecting the pc, windows 7 finds the new connection to the tv, and when I configure the speakers, I can hear all 5.1 sounds in the speaker configuration tests.

But when I try to run a movie, or play a game (counter strike GO for example) only the 2 front speakers works.
I've also tried the site indicated and it continues.

This is really strange, and it is kind of hard to find a solution in the internet.

any suggestions?

Thanks!!

 

[ethancox64]

I know that this is a kind of old topic but I'm having difficulties to find a solution to my case.

My problem is very similar to the case in this post, I have a hp Elitebook 8560w connected via hdmi to my yamaha receiver that is connected to my tv.
When connecting the pc, windows 7 finds the new connection to the tv, and when I configure the speakers, I can hear all 5.1 sounds in the speaker configuration tests.

But when I try to run a movie, or play a game (counter strike GO for example) only the 2 front speakers works.
I've also tried the site indicated and it continues.

This is really strange, and it is kind of hard to find a solution in the internet.

any suggestions?

Thanks!!

Try going into the audio settings of the game that you are playing and see if you can find a setting which allows you to change it from 2.1 to 5.1 surround sound. If there is no option, then your game does not support 5.1 surround sound. I am not sure about the movie scenario. Also, not all HDMI cables support 5.1 surround sound. Your receiver may be converting the 2.1 stereo sound into virtual 5.1 surround sound if your HDMI cable does not support it.