The following MP4 files are used as the input for the test procedure to verify the correct operation of a content creation product that creates online content containing Dolby Digital Plus bitstreams.
Test Dolby Digital 5.1
We test for audio passthrough by connecting a video source and a receiver to the TV in the appropriate eARC/ARC port. We play files from our sources that feature different audio formats, and we check to see if the TV can pass that audio through to the receiver properly.
Before we get into the individual tests, let's first talk about the different connections you can use for audio passthrough. There are three types of connections: Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), ARC, and Digital Optical. ARC and eARC both use HDMI cables, and eARC is simply a newer version of ARC that allows you to pass lossless audio from DTS:X and Dolby Atmos signals. These are audio formats that produce a more life-like sound experience with additional height sound, making objects seem like they're moving in the room around you. As for ARC and Digital Optical, they both support Dolby Digital and DTS audio formats, and the only difference is the type of cable you're going to use. Additionally, eARC is backwards compatible with ARC, so if a TV supports eARC, we know ARC also works on it.
We also list whether or not the TV has eARC support, and we know this by completing the following tests with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X signals. Although eARC is a feature of the new HDMI 2.1 standard, it doesn't require any extra bandwidth, so some HDMI 2.0 TVs have eARC support.
Dolby Atmos via Dolby TrueHD passthrough via eARC capability means a TV can accept a Dolby Atmos signal from a source device, when Dolby TrueHD is used as the carrier signal, and then pass that along to the receiver over an HDMI cable. Dolby Atmos is used with UltraHD Blu-rays, while streaming apps use a lossy version called Dolby Digital Plus, which means that the sound is more compressed and isn't as good as the lossless version. It means that the test is only valid if you're watching Blu-rays in Dolby Atmos and not streaming apps with Dolby Digital Plus.
To test for Dolby Atmos via TrueHD passthrough via eARC, we connect a PC to the TV via HDMI, and we connect a Sony STR-DH790 receiver in the ARC port. We make sure all the eARC settings are on, and we play an audio file in the Dolby Atmos format. If the receiver says 'ATMOS', it means the TV can pass Dolby Atmos signals. If it doesn't support it, that means the audio format is limited to Dolby Digital, and you won't get the same sound experience.
We test for DTS:X support the same way we test for Dolby Atmos support with the Sony receiver and by playing a file from the PC. Once again, if the TV doesn't support DTS:X, it will be dropped down to DTS audio.
The difference between this and eARC testing is that we use a Yamaha RXV379 receiver with a Blu-ray connected to the TV. We play the Dolby Digital audio from the Spears & Munsil Calibration Disc, and we verify that it's playing the proper audio format with all six speakers in the 5.1 setup working. If not all speakers are working, it means it's limited to a 2.1 channel setup.
5.1 DTS is similar to 5.1 Dolby Digital, but it's another signal more commonly used with Blu-rays. We use the same testing as Dolby Digital, with the Spears & Munsil Calibration Disc outputting audio in the DTS format. We make sure that the receiver is properly outputting 5.1 audio to all six channels, and it gets a pass if it does. If it doesn't, the audio will be limited to 2.1 channels.
The Dolby Digital via Optical test is the exact same procedure as Dolby Digital via HDMI test, except we use a Digital Optical cable instead of HDMI. Digital Optical is different because it's meant only for audio, and it can't transmit video like an HDMI cable. It means that you can connect all your sources to the TV and pass audio to the receiver via Digital Optical, and it will send the audio signals. However, you can't connect all your sources to the receiver and expect the video signals to appear on the TV if you use a Digital Optical connection.
Lastly, we check to see if the TV can pass DTS signals via Digital Optical connections, and we follow the same procedure as the Dolby Digital test. If the audio is played in a 5.1 channel setup, it means this TV can pass DTS audio over Optical connections.
At present, you must use a Bitstream signal if you wish to pass audio through a TV. You can do this both via HDMI ARC and Digital Optical. There are two main kinds of Bitstream signals, which is what we test for: Dolby Digital and DTS. They're designed by two competing brands; while Dolby Digital is a bit more compressed than DTS, the two formats are very similar.
For each brand, there are specific settings needed when you use eARC, ARC, and Digital Optical connections. You can consult the settings page in each review to see how to enable it. Even if we didn't test your specific TV, the same settings apply across a brand.
We use the passthrough test to see which audio formats the TV can pass and over which connections. There are two main types of audio formats, Dolby and DTS, and if you watch a variety of content from streaming apps and Blu-rays, it will be important that your TV can pass both formats.
While it begins with a ringing sound that should come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time, this sequence gets going as a test for your stereo pair. The whole scene is set to Bellbottoms (opens in new tab) by the John Spencer Blues Explosion. It's a song with serious attack and it needs to come across with - no pun intended - real drive. If you don't want to hear it again by the end of the scene, then your set-up is doing something wrong.
When the getaway begins, though, it's about how your surround speakers integrate with the fronts. The tyres should screech across the soundscape as the car slides about and it mustn't be so clumsy as to sound like the effect is simply chucked from speaker to speaker. Ideally, it moves across the space so subtly and seamlessly that you forget about your system altogether - not an easy thing to do when you're testing, we grant you.
From a Baby Driver to a Taxi one - there's not much in the way of whizz-bangs in this Scorcese classic to test out the effects chops of your home cinema system but, for music and for dialogue, it's a winner.
Then it's a great test for your centre speaker as Bickle answers questions at his taxi driver job interview. He's a bit of a mumbler but his words should still be nice and clear and it should be impossible for him to hide his troubled nature behind them. His controller gets the sense that there's something not quite right with Bickle and so should the audience.
Marvel means nothing if not great action, and the web-slinger is an awesome character to test big swushing surround effects. This mid-movie, first-time showdown between Spider-man and the Vulture is an excellent work-out for a home cinema set-up.
And the disc is a wicked test for your home cinema system. Take chapter 7, the club scene, where Wick brutalises a queue of henchman while chasing a towelled Alfie Allen through crowds of merrymakers.
Please note that not every episode or season of a 5.1 supported TV show will have 5.1 available. You can test for 5.1 availability of later seasons of a TV show by using the season drop-down option on the title description page. Additionally, not every TV show or movie supports 5.1 in every language.
Before you attempt the steps below, make sure your system is actually able to output 5.1. Furthermore, check if all the cords and wires are properly attached and update the driver for your sound card to the latest version.
Note: The overall quality of the sounds you hear is always depended to the decoder. Furthermore, most video sharing services (YouTube included) do not support Dolby Digital or DTS. If your speakers are capable of outputting DTS or Dolby Digital, you should test them via DVD/Blu-ray, game console or another media that was encoded with these surround sound codecs.
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.no-icon:beforedisplay:none; By Kevin ArrowsAugust 18, 2022 5 minutes readKevin is a certified Network Engineer "@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Article","dateCreated":"2017-11-18T12:30:40-06:00","datePublished":"2017-11-18T12:30:40-06:00","dateModified":"2022-08-18T04:43:54-05:00","headline":"How to Configure and Test 5.1 Surround Sound on Windows 10","keywords":[],"url":"https:\/\/appuals.com\/how-to-configure-and-test-5-1-surround-sound-on-windows-10\/","description":"Even with all the new advancements in sound technologies, some applications are still outputting stereo only. This can make it harder for you to determine if your 5.1 surround setup is working properl","articleSection":"Windows Audio","articleBody":"Even with all the new advancements in sound technologies, some applications are still outputting stereo only. This can make it harder for you to determine if your 5.1 surround setup is working properly. While this technology delivers multichannel and mega-bit audio streams, the initial setup and some incompatibilities with Windows 10 can make 5.1 feel more trouble than it's worth.\r\n\r\nIf set correctly, a 5.1 surround setup will enhance the range of effects, greatly contributing to the atmospheric soundtrack of a movie. If you use it while playing games, you'll notice that it's easier to pinpoint the enemy's whereabouts and their actions based on the sound they make. Like previous Windows versions, Windows 10 has a built-in speaker test that allows you to test your 5.1 surround sound. However, the software is not always reliable and can provide you with false positives.\r\n\r\nBefore you get to the part where you test your 5.1 surround configuration, it's important to be sure that you've set it up correctly. Once you configure your system to use all the available channels to output surround sound, you can use the tests below to ensure that you're getting the best audio quality.\r\nHow to Configure 5.1 Sound on Windows 10\r\nUnless you properly configure the 5.1 channels in Windows 10 after connecting the hardware, you'll most likely get a stereo output from your PC or laptop. Keep in mind that in order to output 5.1 audio from your PC, the sound card must have 5.1 support. As of now, not all onboard soundcards are configured to output 5.1 surround signal. Desktops with newer motherboards usually have it even on low-end, but laptops aren't that lucky.\r\n\r\nNote: Even if you have an onboard soundcard with 5.1 support, chances are the quality will be sub-standard. The reality is, most onboard sound solutions will not output true 5.1 surround. If you're looking for quality, always go for a dedicated sound board.\r\n\r\nBefore you attempt the steps below, make sure your system is actually able to output 5.1. Furthermore, check if all the cords and wires are properly attached and update the driver for your sound card to the latest version.\r\n\r\n \tPress Windows key + R to open a Run window and type \"mmsys.cpl\". Hit Enter to open the Sound Properties.\r\n\r\n \tGo to the Playback and select your playback device that is capable of outputting 5.1 sound. Keep in mind that the name might vary according to your soundcard. With the speakers selected, click on Set Default and then hit the Configure button.\r\n\r\n \tIn the Speaker Setup window, select 5.1 Surround and hit Next. If you see multiple 5.1 Surround entries, select the one that resembles more closely how have placed your speakers.\r\nNote: Ignore the Test button for now. We'll use it later after we've successfully configured the audio output.\r\n \tThen, make sure all the boxes under Optional speakers are set and hit Next. If your 5.1 setup is incomplete or you're using it without the subwoofer, it's best to disable the missing equipment now. Doing this will redirect the audio meant for the missing channel to an active one. This way, you will ensure that you're not missing any important audio.\r\n\r\n \tThis next dialog box is about selecting the full-range speakers. Most 5.1 systems do not have full-range speakers since the audio task is split across multiple channels. Check the boxes under Full-range speakers if applicable and hit Next.\r\nNote: If you're not sure if your audio setup contains full-range speakers, you do an online search and look at your speakers' configuration. If you can't find any relevant information, check both Front left and right and Surround speakers. This way you won't limit the audio quality if some of your speakers are capable of outputting full-range or if you're not using a subwoofer.\r\n \tIf the configuration completes successfully, hit the Finish button and move to the testing section below.\r\n\r\n\r\nNote: If you have 5.1 speakers but you are unable to select 5.1 Surround after clicking the Configure button (option greyed out or not available), the issue is part bug part Microsoft trying to push Sonic Surround and Dolby Atmos by forcing users off old technology. The issue has been around ever since Windows 10 launched and Microsoft doesn't seem keen on fixing it. Instead, the company seems to opt for a planned obsolescence when it comes to 5.1 Surround sound. Despite a lot of users complaining that their 5.1 setups have stopped working once they've upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8, there's still no official fix on the horizon.\r\n\r\nIf you've only encountered 5.1 sound issues after the Creators Update, follow this article (dts sound windows 10) for some DTS troubleshooting guides. In the event that you've only begun to set up your 5.1 audio speakers when presented with the issue, follow this guide (windows 10 surround sound not working) to troubleshoot your surround problems.\r\n\r\nIf you were able to complete the configuring process successfully, follow the guide below in order to test your 5.1 surround sound.\r\nHow to Test 5.1 Surround Sound on Windows 10\r\nOnce you've successfully configured your 5.1 speakers, it's time to put them to the test. We are going to start with the built-in way of testing your 5.1 surround configuration, but if you're looking to test the true capabilities of your speakers, scroll below and use a test from the collection featured below.\r\n\r\nPreferably, you should start your testing session by using the Windows built-in sound test wizard. The software will do a basic test to see if the audio channels are working properly. Here's a quick guide on how to perform the sound test on Windows 10:\r\n\r\n \tPress Windows key + R to open a Run window and type \"mmsys.cpl\". Hit Enter to open the Sound Properties.\r\n\r\n \tGo to the Playback and right-click on the 5.1 speakers that you previously configured and select Test.\r\nNote: Keep in mind that the name of your playback device might vary according to your soundcard.\r\n \tYou should now start hearing test sounds coming from each of your 5.1 surround speakers in turns. Use this test to make sure every speaker works.\r\nNote: Alternatively, you can hit the Configure button an then click the Test button to see a visual representation of which speaker is being tested. This will ensure that each speaker is connected to the right position.\r\n\r\n \tWhen you're done testing your speakers, right-click and select Stop Testing.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNote: If you're seeing the error \"Failed to play test tone\" when clicking the test button, chances are there's something wrong with your surround sound configuration. If that's the case, follow these two guides (here & here) for some troubleshooting steps.\r\n\r\n\r\nAdditional 5.1 Surround Tests\r\nIf you've ensured that your speakers are wired correctly and the sound is coming from where it's supposed to, let's dive into some in-depth testing. Below you have a collection of sample tests that will allow you to hear if your speaker's lows, mids, highs, and subwoofer are working properly. Let's start you off with a list of test samples that don't need to be downloaded and can be played immediately.\r\n\r\n \tDolby 5.1 Sound Channel Check Demo\r\n \tSurround Sound Test LPCM 5.1\r\n \t5.1 Surround Sound Test \"The Helicopter\"\r\n \tDTS 5.1 Surround Sound Test HD\r\n \t5.1 THX Surround Sound Test\r\n\r\nNote: The overall quality of the sounds you hear is always depended to the decoder. Furthermore, most video sharing services (YouTube included) do not support Dolby Digital or DTS. If your speakers are capable of outputting DTS or Dolby Digital, you should test them via DVD\/Blu-ray, game console or another media that was encoded with these surround sound codecs.\r\n\r\nIf you're serious about seeing what your surround speakers are capable of, you'll need to download the sample files on your computer and open them with a program capable of decoding DTS or Dolby Digital. Here's a list of places from where you can download 5.1 surround sample tests:\r\n\r\n \tDTS Trailers\r\n \tDolby Laboratories\r\n \tDemo World\r\n \tDemolandia\r\n","publisher":"@id":"#Publisher","@type":"Organization","name":"Appuals.com","logo":"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/appuals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/apuals_new_logo_B-1.png","publishingPrinciples":"https:\/\/appuals.com\/about\/#go-to-editorial-guidelines","sameAs":["https:\/\/facebook.com\/appuals","https:\/\/twitter.com\/appuals","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/appuals\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCR--2QnA0vYBfqsmSI3pQ9g","https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/organization\/appuals"],"author":"@type":"Person","name":"Kevin Arrows","url":"https:\/\/appuals.com\/author\/admin\/","description":"Kevin is a dynamic and self-motivated information technology professional, with a Thorough knowledge of all facets pertaining to network infrastructure design, implementation and administration. Superior record of delivering simultaneous large-scale mission critical projects on time and under budget.","jobTitle":"Network Engineer","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kevin-arrows-228294216\/","https:\/\/twitter.com\/appuals?lang=en"],"knowsAbout":["Cisco, Windows, Microsoft, AWS, Azure, VMWare"],"alumniOf":"@type":"Organization","Name":"Brunel University","mainEntityOfPage":"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/appuals.com\/how-to-configure-and-test-5-1-surround-sound-on-windows-10\/","breadcrumb":"@id":"#Breadcrumb","image":"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/cdn.appuals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/run-command.png","width":1200,"height":224 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Share via Email Print ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kevin ArrowsNetwork Engineer (LAN/WAN) Email Twitter LinkedIn Kevin is a dynamic and self-motivated information technology professional, with a Thorough knowledge of all facets pertaining to network infrastructure design, implementation and administration. 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