Vista - Trouble using my 7.1 speakers

Hi,

I just bought my new Creative T7900 speakers which is 7.1. I have DP35DP Media series board with a built-in 7.1 sound card that has a driver from SigmaTel (default). The problem is I can't use my 7.1 speakers. The only speakers working are the two front speakers and the subwoofer when I play Windows Media Player 11 and Windows Media Classic Player, but when I ran a test on the config settings of SigmaTel, this time 5.1 speakers worked (excluding the side pair speakers). That I discovered, the audio cable that was included in the T7900 package is for 5.1 speakers only. One end of the cable has 3 pins and the other end has 4 pins which is standard for 7.1 speakers (Black for rear speakers; Lime-green for front speakers; Grey for side speakers; Orange for center speaker/subwoofer). But when I checked the quick installation manual, the cable included with the package is correct (3-pins : 4-pins). I only want simple thing to happen. I want my T7900 work on my PC that has built-in 7.1 sound card. Can someone help me about my audio problem. Thanks a lot.

Help me please!

What is it you're playing? Sounds to me almost like you're just playing a stereo file. The source has to be encoded for 5.1 or 7.1 to actually play all channels, otherwise you'll just hear stereo.

i.e. if you're just playing a CD, or MP3 or AAC of a CD all you'll get are the front two speakers and sub.

You said the test allowed you to hear the surround speakers, that should mean all is well.

Games, movies, and music. I already set-up my speaker to 7.1 yet I can't still hear all my speakers when I am playing mp3s, and the audio in my movies sucks. Can you help me?

That's kind of what I was getting at. If you're playing an MP3 from a stereo source, all you're going to hear are the front left and front right speakers, unless your speaker set (or audio software) has some sort of simulated surround. For instance, on my Logitech set I have a "matrix" button I can press and it turns stereo feeds into simulated surround.

As far as movies, are you hearing dialog through the center channel speaker? For a good surround test there are movies that are better than others. The Lion King is a particularly good surround movie, so is Contact, Saving Private Ryan, or any of the LOTR movies.

Click here , this will take you to a page where you can download a sample 5.1 file and play in windows media player. Try it and let me know what happens.