Force NUC NUC8i3CYSN (or may be Windows?) to output 5.1/7.1 sound when connected to a stereo sound TV via HDMI

[kacharava]

I have purchased my NUC8i3CYSN with the purpose of using it as a home theater machine.

It is connected directly to a TV via HDMI, while the TV itself is connected to a 7.1 AV receiver via HDMI ARC.

This configuration allows to watch 4K@60 picture and listen to... just 2.0 sound. Because NUC doesn't care, at least by default, that 2.0 TV doesn't produce any sound as it has delegated all sound responsibilities to a 7.1 AV receiver, and the NUC limits the sound output to 2.0.

While I absolutely do not want to connect the NUC those ways, I still anyway can:

1. Connect NUC directly to AV receiver and get 4K@60 picture with 7.1 sound. But the picture is highly damaged with 5 meters HDMI 2.2 cable. Unfortunately my setup doesn't allow me to shorten the HDMI cable.
2. Output video to TV via NUC's HDMI1 and 7.1 sound from NUC directly to AV receiver with additional cable via NUC's HDMI2 - not my choise also because it makes connections too complex and kills all HDMI CEC advantages.

So I'd be rather thankful if you could show me the way how to turn the 2 channels sound limit off when the NUC is connected to a TV via HDMI.

Please. ))

[n_scott_pearson]

Intel Customer Support will need to investigate this further. By default, the driver is going to offer the capabilities of the device that it is attached to. Attach it directly to a TV and stereo is what you are going to get. I know of no way to get around this. If it's possible, it certainly isn't documented anywhere that I could find.

From what I can see, it sounds like one problem is the quality of your HDMI cables; you should not be seeing signal degradation over 5 meters with really good cables.

See these articles: https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a6751/how-to-extend-your-hdmi-cables/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Cables.

Hope this helps,

...S

[kacharava]

This default is exactly what I need to override. Stupid default, isn't it? )

I have a perfect picture with my 5m HDMI cable, but only with FHD.

There is very little noise with UHD@60 and lot of noise with UHD@30. Strange, but true. It should be quite the contrary.

I will of course check my cables but my $100 Belkin cable must be perfect either way, as I'm not one of those who purchase $3000 power cables. I even think $100 is way more than enough for a 5m piece of wire.

The problem could be with my TV sets, as "It's a Sony". Them both have very weak aerial/digital tuners, so I'll not be surprised if they can not get rid of signal errors that come with long HDMI cables also.

I will anyway dig into your advise, thank you.

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello kacharava,

Thank you for posting on this Intel Community.

We would like to gather more information about your system configuration to better assist you.

Please provide the following information:

1. TV model

2. AV Receiver model

3. Run the Intel® System Support Utility (Intel® SSU) and attach the report to this thread.

1. Download the Intel® System Support Utility and save the application in your computer.

2. Open the application and click "Scan" to see system and device information. The Intel® SSU defaults to the "Summary View" on the output screen following the scan. Click the menu where it says "Summary" to change to "Detailed View".

3. To save your scan, click Next and click Save.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Under Contract to Intel Corporation

[kacharava]

Dear Intel Customer support,

It is not convenient for me to do all that you have requested, especially because the NUC is operated by an air mouse and nothing else.

No matter what monitor or TV my NUC is connected to, it outputs only 2.0 sound if it sees that the TV or monitor can not reproduce more than two channels of audio.

And my question was exactly how to override this limit.

Of course I will do all that you have requested, but please promise me first that there is the solution and you will provide me it according to the data you will collect from my reports.

Just a reminder: I want to override the 2.0 sound limit with 7.1 or at least 5.1.

May be you will provide me the registry path I should edit at my own risk of course, etc.

TV: Sony KD-65XE7096, KDL-40WD653

AV: ONKYO TX-NR555

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello kacharava,

Thank you for the update.

As soon as you can, please attach the report requested above. We will be glad help you with this issue.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Under Contract to Intel Corporation

[kacharava]

You haven't answered my simple question. )

Will the report really help you to guide me how to override the number of audio channels limitation (because the solution really exists and you just need to quickly look at my report to be more precise with your recommendations) or you just need the report because it is a part of a protocol? Like:

- Dear Intel, please help me to dismount the NUC's top cover?

- Please send us the report first!

Do you REALLY need this report or you just don't know what to answer and asking for a report because why not?

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello kacharava,

This report will let us take a look at your system configuration to better assist you.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Under Contract to Intel Corporation

[kacharava]

What are you expecting to find within unmodified NUC8i3CYSN running Windows 10 and nothing else?

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello kacharava,

We can find the BIOS version, operating system build number, drivers installed, among other useful information that will allow us to address this inquiry.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Under Contract to Intel Corporation

[kacharava]

Please keep in mind that this report was made with an air mouse.

So I expect the working solution rather than "sorry, it's impossible". ))

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello kacharava,

Thank you for the update.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Under Contract to Intel Corporation

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello kacharava,

Based on the information provided, the unit is working as expected. You are also using the configuration recommended.

Home Theater PC Setup Example

What you are trying to achieve is more of a Windows* feature. This request is out of the scope of support. We encourage other community members to provide other options based on their experience.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[kacharava]

Do you understand that you have answered a questiuon I haven't asked and returned me to my initial question without any meaningful info?

[Wanner_G_Intel]

Hello kacharava,

We will investigate this inquiry further and get back to you soon.

Wanner G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[n_scott_pearson]

@WannerG_Intel​,

I have to agree with @kacharava​, you haven't gone anywhere near his original question.

Restating this question: Is there a way to override the decisions being made based upon EDID data, such that the delivery of 5.1/5.2/7.1/7.2 audio can always be guaranteed?

This is a question that you need to take to the driver team and *they* need to provide the answer, one way or the other.

Unfortunately, the answer is likely going to be that there is no capability; that this is outside of POR.

I, BTW, agree that this is NOT the way that this should be handled. The NUC should be talking to the TV through the Receiver. If the distance between the NUC and the Receiver is such that noise becomes a factor, eliminate the noise by procuring better quality cables or by using long-haul HDMI technology. Yea, I know this is expensive. This is the price you pay when you want to do something that is stressing the limitations of the technology.

...S

[kacharava]

> The NUC should be talking to the TV through the Receiver

I believe there shouldn't be any difference if I connect the NUC to TV connected to Receiver or I connect the NUC to Receiver connected to TV. HDMI passthrough should do the thing.

And it does. Because Intel NUC is the only device I have that outputs just 2.0 sound to a TV connected to 7.1 audio device through HDMI ARC. Any blu-ray or media player connected to the same TV outputs correct number of audio channels to my receiver through this TV via HDMI.

Anyway I prefer to keep my NUC between the wall and the TV. This way would be strange to connect the NUC to the receiver with another 5m long cable.

I have also discovered that my excessively long cable transfers a perfectly noiseless 4K@≥50Hz picture. While fails to show 4K@≤30Hz without noise. Don't know why.

[Ronny_G_Intel]

Hi kacharava,

I think that the right set up is exactly what you mentioned: Connect NUC and the TV directly to the AV receiver. I understand that you are getting image quality issues due to the length of the cable but I am not aware of a way to tell the NUC not to output the 2.0 audio signaling it is getting from the TV when directly connected it and output the 7.1 signal for the AV receiver. I am guessing this would be a Driver/OS trick that I don't know how to do it. I would encourage other community members to chime in if they have any recommendation.

Regards,

Ronny G