lost surround sound (5.1) with lion upgrade

Question

Level 1

8 points

lost surround sound (5.1) with lion upgrade

I have lost Dolby 5.1 output through the optical cable with the Lion upgrade. Worked fine in Leopard and Snow Leopard. The Audio MIDI Setup app recognizes "Digital Out" as the source, but "Encoded Digital Audio" / "Configure Speakers" grays out everything but "Stereo." As expected, the amplifier only reports PCM as the sound source. Anyone else run across this? I'm hoping this will quietly correct itself with a future update, as most x.0 problems do.

Mac Mini (2009)

Mac OSX 7.0

DVD Player

VLC Player

Posted on Jul 26, 2011 4:52 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Jul 27, 2011 11:26 AM in response to gary11

I read somewhere that VLC is having issues with Lion. Make sure your VLC audio output settings are correct. Other than that, it sounds like perhaps your issue is related to the issue that popped up in 10.6.8. See https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3139275?start=0&tstart=0 for more info.

I'm having a similar issue with Lion. Once I play any DD/DTS audio source (either 2.0, 5.1 or 7.1), OSX will no longer output non-DD 2 channel audio (iTunes, system sounds, mp3's, etc.) over the optical audio or hdmi port. DD/DTS audio streams still work, however. Only way to fix (temporarily) is flash PRAM and reset SMC.

Reply

Answer 2

gary11 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 17, 2011 11:07 AM in response to gary11

Well, 10.7.1 didn't change anything. "Encoded Digital Audio" / "Configure Speakers" still grays out everything but "Stereo." And, the amplifier still only reports PCM as the sound source.

I didn't mention in my first post that I'm using a clean install of Lion. Is anyone getting 5.1 output using Lion with any player? Perhaps something's missing by not upgrading from Snow Leopard? (I'm sure IT managers would be thrilled to consider that.) Maybe only the newest macs support Lion and 5.1?

Reply

Answer 3

Nautmac

Level 1

0 points

Aug 20, 2011 3:39 AM in response to gary11

I´m the same boat as you are, Mac mini 2009 no DD 5.1 with VLC, nor itunes, nor other soft.

The only one sotware that works for 5.1 under lion is PLEX, in my case. Give it a try. I don´t

like it very much, is a bit heavy but works.

Vlc in my case only works selecting digital output not encoded digital output.

Reply

Answer 4

Devalin

Level 1

0 points

Sep 26, 2011 6:47 AM in response to gary11

Same problem here !

This time on MacBook Pro 2011 with Lion 10.7.1 clean installed. I cannot select more than 2 channel output on optical-out to use with my Logitech Z5500.

Also audio-popping sounds every now&then (both on MBP speakers and external speakers).

APPLE PLEASE FIX IT !!!

Reply

Answer 5

gary11 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 11, 2011 6:07 AM in response to gary11

The latest VLC (1.1.12) now passes DD 5.1 through the optical cable. Gotta love open source. Still waiting for Apple to support more than stereo in its Audio/Midi Utility and DVD Player.

Reply

Answer 6

gary11 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 13, 2011 4:53 PM in response to gary11

Just upgraded to 10.7.2. DVD Player allows "Digital Out - Built in..." in the Preferences and DD 5.1 is restored. VLC still works when "Built-in Output (Digital Encoded)" is selected in menu Audio/Audio Select. But Audio/Midi Utility will still only configure stereo. I guess it's official now - I don't know what the heck is going on. But I can watch movies with the audio track I prefer and that's enough.

Reply

Answer 7

Devalin

Level 1

0 points

Nov 12, 2011 2:26 AM in response to gary11

Well, after 10.7.2 the problem still exists ! Yes, using VLC, now I get DD and DTS, but I'm confined in using VLC.

Apple, please take this problem into account !

I still cannot use the "Encoded Audio" function. And I still cannot select more than 2 speaker setup on optical out.

Thank you.

Reply

Answer 8

Dec 9, 2011 4:28 PM in response to Devalin

I am having the same issue. I have a MBP running Plex as a media center, 5.1 used to work flawlessly, but since the last several SL and Lion updates (i'm running Lion at this point) 5.1 is completely broken for me unless I am playing a DTS file. DD and any AC3 audio is Stereo Only.

This is VLC, Plex, XMBC ...

Audio/Midi utility has everything greyed out but stereo.

What's the Deal Apple!!

Reply

Answer 9

Apr 1, 2012 3:54 AM in response to gary11

I had the same problem but, resolved it by:

1- selecting "8ch-24bit Integer" instead of "encoded digital audio"

2- from the speaker window; select the desired setup (5.1, 7.1, etc)

Reply

Answer 10

Apr 7, 2012 9:38 PM in response to Osvaldo123

Funny, just had the oposite work, selected Encoded Digital Audio instead of 8ch-24 bit Integer (Audio Midi Setup) and got 5.1 back. Although I've had it start working and then later stop again more than once since Lion, so I don't have high hopes.

Does mae me think the solution is playing around with Audio Midi Setup settings. Perhaps different amps use different signals?

Reply

Answer 11

Aug 25, 2012 10:11 AM in response to gary11

I have lost surround after instal the mountain lion.

Reply

Answer 12

Sep 12, 2012 12:52 PM in response to gary11

I just plugged in my receiver with an optical cable. No way to get 5.1 except in DVD player! Only PCM... In MIDI settings, I only have 2ch options, no 8ch. Someone knows why?

Reply