Windows 10: Problem with SPDIF input thriu USB sound box

I have a StarTech 7.1 USB Sound Card - External Sound Card with SPDIF Digital Audio. I want to get the input from the SPDIF connector. I had this working perfectly a few months ago, but perhaps some windows update or the like screwed things up.

Everything within Windows looks perfect. The default input device is set to SPDIF, Windows sound troubleshooter finds no problem, the Xear software is perfectly correct. I've tried uninstalling everything, including the driver, and re-installing, but that didn't help.

Here are the symptoms: Various sound applications that I try simply show no input. But the amazing Audacity at least reports the following error msg: "Error opening recording device. Error code: ‐9999 Unanticipated host error"

Do any of you have any suggestions on what I should try? Thanks!

I'm running 64-bit Windows 10 Pro, Version 1909 (OS Build 18363.592)

Hardware: ASUS Z97-A/3.1, onboard RealTek display and sound, along with nVidia display and sound


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Significant progress has been made! I looked up the issue on the Audacity site and they emphasized that you need to change your Privacy settings to allow Windows access to your microphone. Once I did that, suddenly I could get audio through the SPDIF input!

Unfortunately, all that's coming in is mono noise and crackling. So my question remains active...

:)

 

5.1 channel over SPDIF / optical not working since update(?)

Hi,

I understand that 5.1 channel over SPDIF/Optical not working after update.

I suggest you to try the following methods and check:

Method 1: Update your audio driver

• 1. Select the Start button and type
     device manager in the search box, then select it from the list of results.
     
  2. Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.
     
  3. Right-click (or press and hold) your sound card, then select
     Properties.
     
  4. Select the Driver
     tab, and then select Update Driver.
     
  5. If Windows doesn't find a new driver, look for one on the device manufacturer's website and follow their instructions.
     

Method 2: Fix sound problems.

Suggest you to refer the article Fix sound problems
in Windows 10.

Thanks,

Suman.B

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

5.1 option missing from SPDIF output

You may need to review your soundcard but I don't think 5.1 is supported via SPDIF.

I would suggest you check the speaker system itself. BTW I wasn't aware you could get 5.1 from the SPDIF out line? Though I'm no longer using the board my Gigabyte Z170 Gaming GT board has pretty much the same soundcard as you and it doesn't list 5 channel for the SPDIF digital out line.

Anyway if you say you were getting 5.1, who am I to argue. Anyway check your speaker system. You might also check the sound settings under Control Panel > Sound > Playback tab. Right click the SPDIF device and hit properties. Click the Advanced tab, and under Default format dropdown box check that 5.1 is selected (if supported). Again, I didn't think 5.1 was supported via the SPDIF out on PC soundcards, but....

Let us know.

 

Problem with SPDIF/IO on Windows 10 with Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme Audio

Deepak, thanks for the detailed response! Actually the troubleshooter solved the issue because it

has a switch that directs all sound activity to the SPDIF digital output. This switch is missing in the system settings.

In the updated drivers for my specific sound card, The SPDIF settings are strangely disabled. Once I checked the 'digital only' check box in the troubleshooter. All the missing sound returned.

It is recommended to consider to add such option in the Windows 10 settings as many users will connect their Windows devices as home cinema media centers.