Is HDMI ready for prime time? I was excited to purchase an HDMI capable reciever that would do 5.1 sound. It seems to give me nothing but problems. I can't hook up my Comcast DVR because it complains that the route is not HDCP compatible, which it is supposed to be. Same problem with me DVD player. So, I have the Comcast DVR hooked up directly to the HDTV and use the SPDIF Digital Optical out to the reciever for the audio. Works okay, but not elegant like HDMI promised. I have the DVD player hooked up via component cables because I can't even hook it up to the tv directly. It has a pinkish hue as if one of the color components isn't registering. But, it works fine with component. It has a coax digital out SPDIF which I also hooked up to the reciever. That works fine. That left my computer to be hooked up as multi-channel from the soundcard to the multi-channel in. Worked, but I wanted digital audio. My reciever has only 1 coax in, and the DVD was occupying that position.
So, I purchased a new video card, an ATI HD 4670 with direct HDMI output, supporting 7.1 sound. I figured this would solve my problem. NOPE! I installed the new video card and now have NO audio. The ATI HDMI audio is installed, it just doesn't make a sound. And, it says my reciever does not support DTS Audio, or Dolby Audio, which is does. I then moved the HDMI to connect directly to the HDTV. Still no joy! (or audio). To make things worse, the HDMI audio configuration only allows selecting STEREO. No 5.1 surround sound available. I am at a loss. I have googled the problem for hours and found lots of people with similar problems, but not any actual solutions. Some complain that you have to update the Realtek drivers for your motherboard, which doesn't make sense, and also didn't work! The ATI/Sapphire websites both extoll the virtures of HDMI with superior picture quality and 7.1 sound, but no where can I find anyplace that gives instructions on installing or using the audio features. It is not in the Catalyst Control Center (or, at least I haven't been able to locate it!). If anyone has any ideas, I would sure like to hear them. Sorry for the rant, but it has been a frustrating day that I had been very excited about! Jim Maki [email protected]
