Category: Geeks r Us
Hi all. So far, I have been satisfied with my new computer, that is, until I tried hooking it up to an HDMI TV, which also have the capability of supporting a computer monitor as well. When I hooked it up to the card, the screen resolution was all funky; it was like the screen was too big to fit my computer screen. My monitor only supports 720P, and not 1080P. However, it does have audio, which is built-in through speakers. Everytime I plugged it in, I kept receiving no sound but video. Noticed under playback devices that there were a couple of options to choose from; HDMI port 0, 2, E.T.C. But, even though I had the HDMI cable plugged in, the card kept showing as nothing plugged in, but obviously there was.
Used some of that lifetime free tech support the company provides, they needed the serial number, which there was no way for me to find inside of the computer, because it was a sticker on the back of the machine. Tried taking pictures of the thinig, because I didn't have any sighted people around that could help. Did a remote session, told me a driver needed to be updated, but that it wouldn't install. Asked if I had another monitor cable plugged in, but I didn't. Then, he asked how old the monitor is; I told him that it was from about 2007. He said that it might not support HDMI audio, but I don't have any laptop that has an HDMI port, so I cannot test this.
Nathan. What do you think is going on? I think manufacturers should include a serial number for their machines physically on the computer, as well as in a book or the documentation that comes with them.
Many do exactly that.Give the serial number inside the machine, or you can go to their website and run a tool to find it on your machine.
This company doesn't, but should have a record.
Ask Amazon?
Now, for the video.
Your monitor probably doesn't support this. Do you have anyone with one that will for a proper test?
Hi, I have a Sony TV downstairs, which is my parents. Seeing as how this TV is much more up to date, I tried this one. At first, there was no sound being produced on the speakers, so I had someone sighted help me. He accidentally disabled my speakers, so then I had to perform a System Restore, which took away Jaws, now reinstalled, and then I looked under playback devices. I saw Sony TV as an audio device, so I set it as the default device, and now it is working perfectly. So, I guess what the problem is is that I have an old monitor that can support the picture aspect of HDMI, but not the audio? Now, I wonder if I can use my surround sound receiver, and whether or not it will detect my RCA monitor, and then send the signal through the monitor or if I can get it to send straight to the receiver.
Nathan.
Hi again,
Here is the update thus far concerning this problem. Since I want this computer to be in my bedroom, I hooked everything up back upstairs; I actually have another TV, which is cheaper, but still is way newer. When I turned this one on, pressed input; not sure if it's actually on HDMI, but need a sighted person to check this; I received the model of the TV as an audio device option. The monitor does have built-in speakers, but when I performed a test through the audio card, I couldn't hear any sound. That's weird, I thought, but it might not be on HDMI. Although, under the monitor, it shows up as being through HDMI, but there might not be anything on the screen. Usually, LCD tvs produce some sort of heat on the screen, but I feel none, a sign that it might not even be on, but how would the computer still recognize this?
So, then I hooked it up to the receiver; the Sony. Computer saw this as an audio device; had to fool around with the configuration a little, but only got four out of the five speakers working properly. So, my issue is either the monitor I am using now is showing up but it is not on, or I need a newer one. I'm really not sure, but I'm close to getting it working. Computer guy is coming tomorrow hopefully to help me out. I know I'm close.
I also know this can act as a home theater pc.
Nathan.
You are close. These things require on site tinkering sometimes.
The reason I say that, is due to know knowing what you did, or didn't do as you learned with the Sony TV.
You don't necessarily need to set devices as the default, but do need to set them active or ready, depending on what your sound card call them.
I have my card set to play on all devices.
I'll bet you'll need to update your monitor however in your room if you want it par.
Okay another problem; not sure what happened here, because I had everything fixed:
Well, I'm almost 100% sure that my surround sound receiver was struck by lightning on Wednesday when we had that bad thunderstorm.
Have been troubleshooting now for a couple of hours and haven't resolved anything, but have definitely found out some things.
A computer guy visited my house to fix the surround sound and my screen resolution on computer. On Wednesday and that night, everything was working perfectly.
Yesterday, I came upstairs to get on the computer again, and when I hit a key, the audio faded in like Jaajaaws Kind of like that. At the beginning, the
audio was really soft, but after the initial fade in, if you keep hitting keys on the computer, the receiver plays fine with continual audio. If you stop
typing for a second, then hit a button, or if you have to wait for anything to load, the audio fades in again.
Thinking it was the graphics card, I opened up the computer, removed a couple of screws, and took out the geforce graphics card. Then, used the onboard
sound from HDMI on motherboard, and audio still faded out. Tried switching HDMI cables around with the same result from the receiver. Then, tried just
hooking a cable up from my monitor with built-in speakers to the HDMI port on the computer, and at first with the onboard card, no sound was heard.
Then, unplugged the machine, removed the cover, opened the door that allows access to more screws, took the cover off, put the video card in, and then
tried each HDMI cable again. I ran each one straight from my monitor to the HDMI port on the graphics card. The audio never faded in or out and sounded
fine with both cables. Also, tried unhooking all speaker wires to determine if there was a short, but audio continued to fade in and out. Definitely think
it is the receiver, because my AppleTV did the same thing, though not as bad. What do you guys think?
Nathan.
You should have called the computer guy back before all that work.
Next, for new stuff, you are having way too many issues.
If I had trouble like this with a new system, I'd return it flat out.
If the computer tech got all working, it was all compatible, so something went wrong, and with out audio video experience, you needed a pro.
Just my thoughts.
Do you know that Jaws doesn't show everything that is on the screen all the time?
You could have accidentaly been in the effects program, check a box for delay, and because you aren't experienced using your new stuff yet, wouldn't know.
So, all that tinkering could have messed up a few other things when all was required is to uncheck a box.
Smile.
Your pro should stand behind the work, so get your pro.
you didn't need to do a restore to fix your speakers either... just sayin. smile.
Yes, I did. The speakers weren't even showing up as a playback device. So, the only way I knew how to get them back was restore the system.
Secondly, it's not the computer's audio, because I get audio that is clean and fine from my TV, just not the surround sound. There hasn't been any issues with the computer, just the surround sound receiver. The only issue at first was getting an HDMI monitor to work, but that was because I had an older model.
I'm not sure what to do. I might be able to just get the exact same model of receiver on Amazon. Continual audio is working fine, so someone who isn't blind would still like this because it is fine for them.
Nathan.
Maybe Amazon will take it as a trade-in?
Nathan, audio video is difficult to say what may or may not be needed if you aren't on side to see what is there.
I'd agree you didn't probably need a system resore, unless you did something to the settings.
Yes, I know you couldn't see the speakers, but there were other places to look.
You are troubleshooting without experience, so basicly waisting time and maybe messing up more then you need to.
Get your pro back. Have him explain the system to you and how to troubleshoot it.
Have him also explain where changes can be made, and it you can't see them with your screen reader you'll be able to avoid doing so.
Your pro had your system working, so your pieces are compatible, so no need to trade in anything unless you just want different.
All of it is really new, and again was working?
Unless you enjoy or wish to do all this experimenting, you aren't going to get this fixed asking questions here, or anyplace else for that matter.
Because you've got so many possibilities here, it be impossible to hit it.
Could be a switch on the A V you don't know what it does.
Could be a setting in the sound card you can't see, due to Jaws not being able to show it to you.
So, I'll say if you don't get your pro back, enjoy your frustration. Smile.
You might hit pay dirt and get it going, but look at all the time you spent trying. Last, just because you hit pay dirt, you still might not know exactly why you had the issue.
If the receiver started malfunctioning after a storm and the issue occurs with different devices - E.G. your computer & your Apple TV then the receiver is faulty. Depending on its current value it may be worth taking it to a A/V shop & letting them take a look.
Exactly Ben. I thought it's the receiver. At ForReel, I didn't change any settings after the computer guy left. The storm came through, went upstairs to get on the computer, and heard the audio being weird. Plus, if it were my computer, as you say, or a setting on the receiver, which I know how to switch the inputs on without sight to different HDMI ports, then why am I getting clean audio out of my graphics card with an HDMI cable running from my monitor with built-in speakers to my computer? Why do my Bose work fine using the onboard sound card, which uses headphone jacks?
Ben: It's $200.00, but I can only find one store around here that might repair it, and just for a diagnostic, it's $95. Thinking of getting some speaker wire tomorrow, not sure when the computer guy can come back; he's pretty busy, but I have a call into him too. Oh, and one more thing. It's possible to troubleshoot audio problems without sight, but not video.
iits not wr worth sp spending $95 just to have it looked at.
That's what I said... Could get a new one for that price.
Still need the computer guy back.
It was working, so seems to me it just didn't go piff?
The receivers new isn't it?
Seems like you posted you just got it about 2 months ago? If it is faulty, seems it should be under some sort of warrentee?
Sure, a blind person can troubleshoot audio, but not with the methods you were using.
That blind person would have to know his or her equipment, and I mean buttons, settings, and such.
Taking the computer apart, and putting it back for an audio issue that also has a receiver involved was waste.
If the computer works independently, why did you feel you needed to remove things?
My point is, if you don't know your setup, and you don't have experience with it, you need help.
Yep. Receiver is about five months old; hard to get a warranty off of EBay, which is were I bought it. I know all the settings on the receiver. But, as I said, I'm trying to get him back.
Okay guys,
Forgot to mention some things here. Initially, one guy told me the diagnostic would be a lot more expensive. It's only $30 though.
What I think it going on is that there is a bad re-lay in the receiver.
Nathan.
Got a Denon replacement receiver; should be here tomorrow.
Denon is a good brand.
Going to try and sell the other one; even if I don't get that much for it.
Hey guys,
Got the new Denon receiver, hooked it up, and guess what? No audio delays; it was the receiver!
The only thing I don't like about this Denon is that the volume knob isn't very sensitive, meaning you have to turn the volume up to at least 17 to hear it! Denon should fix this! Other than that, I'm happy everything works again.
See what I mean by all that taking stuff apart and putting it back together?
On the volume, I'll bet in your sound card there is a loudness setting for gaming and home theater.
Can't find it, but I have asked others about this issue, and they have the same problem, you just have to turn the volume up a little to hear things. The volume knob isn't as sensitive as before. I actually believe that there is a setting that allows you to change the formats.
If others have the issue, it is the way it is set.