Windows 10: Windows 10 surround speaker settings and external processor

So I have a setup where a Windows 10 computer is connected via HDMI to an external surround sound processor. I play various media on the PC with differing surround tracks: some are 7.1, some are 5.1, some are stereo, etc. The actual speakers hooked up are 7.1

The external processor has the ability to matrix out 5.1 and stereo content to fill all 7.1 speakers by layering Dolby PLIIx on top of whatever sound format is there. This option is only presented however when it detects it's been sent fewer channels over HDMI than 7.1

The problem is, on Windows I have to explicitly tell Windows whether my speakers are stereo, 5.1 or 7.1. If I choose 7.1, then Windows 10 always "lights up" all 7.1 channels even if the media I'm playing is 5.1 or stereo. So as far as the sound processor is concerned, it's getting a 7.1 signal over the HDMI so no PLIIx is needed (and so it's not an option)... just happens that some of those 7.1 channels are silent. I can tell Windows my speakers are 5.1 or stereo based upon the media being played and then things work, but I have to manually set that each time for each movie to match what is in the movie. If I leave Win10 set to 5.1 and I play 7.1 content, it only sends 5.1 to the processor, the other 2 original channels are lost, and what I get from them instead is the "faked" matrixed audio which isn't as good as what was originally mixed.

Is there a way to get Windows 10 to auto-adjust what it tells the HDMI out to match what is actually being played? I'm using VLC to play the media, if that matters. Changing to something else isn't really an option as I'm depended on some of its fancy M3U playlist features to script playing partial parts of videos.

submitted by /u/sremick
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:)

 

External speaker setting

Have Toshiba L745 laptop with Window 7. Windows 10 was just installed(did it automatically I never wanted it). Besides burying my original desktop under about 3 or 4 windows my internal speakers didn't work. Made sure updates were installed. Through troubleshooting process
I discovered that when external speakers were plugged in they worked. Further experimentation and I found that in order for the internal speakers to work I have to go into the speaker settings and manually change to speaker in order for them to work and for
the external to work I have to go back into the settings and select headphones.

Prior to the windows 10 install the on board speakers would work and automatically toggle to external when an external speaker was plugged in.

Why now the extra step? Is there some way to have the speaker output automatically toggle like it used to?

 

Good surround sound headset

I know you say you're not that guy, but stepping into the $250+ range really brings a change in build quality that might have you never having to buy another set. Otherwise, getting 6 speakers with decent sound in a headset is hard, and that's what you are asking for, and I have no suggestions, but just a bump up the list. *Stick Out Tongue

 

Windows 10 audio stutters regardless of driver or output used, more noticeable on the toslink and surround sound.

• What device are you using? A laptop or a computer?
• Its a desktop, i listed the components in the original post.
• Do you have an external speaker?From which device does the sound come out from? From the TV or from the device?
• I listed the outputs in the original post. The issue exists on all outputs and exists on the tv speakers, surround sound speakers, and headset.
• What other troubleshooting steps have you tried so far?
• I have listed the troubleshooting steps that i can remember in the original post.