SPDIF and volume control in FrontView

[Katherine]

Hello! I'm using HTPC based on Thermaltake DH102 with iMEDIAN HD and
FrontView player. And I have the following problem: with audio output being through SPDIF I can't control volume in FrontView player (with iMEDIAN NOT running, the big screen is switched off). If I run iMEDIAN, the volume is controlled OK, but if only FrontView player , then no. Is is possible to do something to solve this problem?

[slash.kim]

Dear Katherine,

It is needed to share the general things about S/PDIF connection. Please refer the followings;

1. Conditions related to S/PDIF environment
1) The external decoder(receiver) device is connected to the S/PDIF output on PC soundcard.
2) The speaker setting of the audio decoder of the media player software is "S/PDIF pass-through" or equivalent one.
3) The media player software playbacks the media file of which audio stream is encoded by AC3(Dolby Digital) or DTS codec which can be decoded by the external decoder device.
* In iMEDIAN HD, the "S/PDIF pass-through" equivalent setting can be enabled by the following options;
- Select "S/PDIF" in the Settings > Audio/Video > Audio > Audio Output
- Select "On(Pass Through)" in the Settings > Audio/Video > Audio > Use External Receiver(Decoder) > Dolby Digital
- Select "On(Pass Through)" in the Settings > Audio/Video > Audio > Use External Receiver(Decoder) > DTS

2. Non-bug case but can not control volume on PC side
If above 3 conditions are satisfied at the same time, you need to adjust the volume of the external decoder device in order to control volume, because the wave data is extracted at the external decoder device. It means there's no way to control volume on PC side.

3. Case that volume can be controlled on PC side
When 1) and 2) are satisfied but 3) is not, i.e, media player software playbacks non AC3/DTS audio stream like MPEG2 audio, the media player software may decode the audio stream and send the decoded wave data to the external decoder device and in result the volume can be controlled on PC side.

4. Volume Device/Source
Even in the case that volume can be controlled on PC side, we need to select correct volume device/source in order to control the volume.
On Windows XP, normally "waveout" source should be adjusted in order to control the volume.
On Windows Vista or later, "S/PDIF" or "Digital Output" device should be adjusted.
* In iMON Manager > Option > System page, "System Volume" setting should be adjusted as explained above.

Did you use the same media files with both iMEDIAN HD and FrontView player?
The situation you met can occur, for example, if the video file with MPEG2 audio stream is played with iMEDIAN HD and the video file with AC3 with FrontView Player.

Please make it sure first in order to avoid any confusion.

Thanks and best regards,
slash.kim

[Katherine]

Thank you very much for your reply. Now it's more clear.
Then the second question. Is it possible to program remote from receiver (model Yamaha RX-V861) to control iMEDIAN and FrontView player. Should I do it in iMON manager or remote settings. If in remote settings, then a special code is needed.
Here a photo of remote can be viewed if needed http://cokupic.pl/i/c_big754770.jpg

[slash.kim]

Dear Katherine,

There's no way to learn the other remote controllers. The current iMON IR receiver supports only iMON PAD, iMON MINI and MCE remote only. Other remote controller can be used with iMON IR receiver.

Thanks,
slash.kim

[kuzmi4]

Dear Katherine,

There's no way to learn the other remote controllers.
slash.kim

Xcept for Harmony remotes;)

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated considering AAC 5.1 streaming to a non-AAC capable reciever via SPDIF in WinXP :confused:

Thnx in advance!