Sound Problem Driving Me Nuts!

Lost Sound In Online Videos With Speakers

[Planet13]

I think there is a proplem with the SRS Premium Sound on my computer.

I have lost sound to online videos (both flash and html5) when I have the speakers plugged in to the back of the computer.

Actually, with the speakers plugged in, I hear LOUD background music from the video, but the voice over / dialog is barely audible.

Fun Fact: The computer has a built in (single) speaker.

If I play a video with no speakers in the back (and using only the built in speaker), the audio for the video is fine (I can hear the dialog clarly over the background music).

But once I plug the speakers into the back, I can ONLY hear the mp3 (using VLC)

The other thing is, it isn't ALL sound from a video, but the MAJORITY of the sound.

So if I start an instructional video that has some music first, and then goes into a recorded dialog, the music is LOUD, but then when the talking comes in, it is very quiet.

If I unplug the speakers and then plug them in, I get a little notification from SRS Premium Sound.

And to be honest, I don't even know where that SRS Premium sound came from. I think it was because I downloaded a couple of games off of steam?

thanks in advance for helping me figure this out.

Windows 7, 64 Bit
i7-3770
8 gig ram

Inexpensive Juster speakers that have worked fine for years.

Also, it is the same whether I use opera, chrome or FF as my browser (no idea if IE works)

[edited by: Planet13 at 11:08 pm (utc) on Sep 9, 2015]

[IanCP]

Well apparently SRS Premium Sound is pretty mainstream, there are links for it on Dell, HP, and Lenovo sites. A quick look seems to indicate it is some kind of sound enhancer, though some reports say it does weird things.

Given that you can easily reinstall it if you want, I would suggest you remove the program, then restart the PC and see what effect you get.

You can uninstall SRS Premium Sound from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.

Is your computer a custom built machine or a brand name?

[Planet13]

Hi there, Ian:

Thanks for the note.

it is a mainstream.

System ModelHP Compaq Elite 8300 SFF

I did uninstall he SRS and restarted, but unfortunately it is the same problem.

:(

[IanCP]

Another thing, and this applies to all of us no matter how savvy we think we are, you mentioned downloading games. With downloads we can often get Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).

I would also run whatever Anti-Malware software you have. I use two - Microsoft Malicious Removal Tool, and Malwarebytes.

[Leosghost]

Sounds like ( pun deliberate )..the SRS software tries to create a "sound stage" ( possibly using 4 or 5 or more speakers )..and so separates the voice frequency areas out with the intention of sending the greater part of the volume of that frequency band to "channels" feeding speakers that you do not actually have plugged in..

So you only get the "background" sound..

You only have two of possibly 4 , 5 or more "channels" physically plugged in..

Headphones plugged in would get "all the sound"..mixed down to left and right channels..

Like Ian says..uninstall SRS..( or root around in its settings for a two channel stereo mix down..usually/ frequently called "laptop" )..afterwards you can set up whatever it has that passes for a graphic equaliser..

edit..saw that you uninstalled..windows can be stubborn it can "default" or be forced by some programs to make them the "default" application for some things..even when they are uninstalled..the registry entries may still be there..

try getting one of the limited time freeware versions of something like "total uninstaller" and run it..or to begin with, begin by running crap cleaner ( just a clean that includes "left behind bits of uninstalled programs"..not a registry "fix"..that might break stuff )to get rid of any remnants that SRS may have left in the registry..

[tangor]

Check the Mixer setting in the Windows control panel and make sure you don't have an odd stereo mix for different kinds of audio files. I've seen these settings get messed up over the years.

[Planet13]

@LeosGhost:

Sounds like ( pun deliberate )..the SRS software tries to create a "sound stage" ( possibly using 4 or 5 or more speakers )..and so separates the voice frequency areas out with the intention of sending the greater part of the volume of that frequency band to "channels" feeding speakers that you do not actually have plugged in..

yes, that is what it sounds like to me.

[Planet13]

@tangor:

Check the Mixer setting in the Windows control panel and make sure you don't have an odd stereo mix for different kinds of audio files. I've seen these settings get messed up over the years.

I tried checking the miser setting, but it seems that it is now controled by the realtek control panel.

and I have tried the settings for that and it still doesn't make a difference (meaning I have turned all the sliders up to full, and i have unchecked the Enable SRS checkbox).

[Planet13]

By the way: I seem to have the latest drivers for the realtek High Definition audio device. They are 6.0.1.7161 and the driver date 1/21/2014

Again, it all seemed to be working fine up until yesterday or the day before.

[Planet13]

Well, I have used the uninstall software contorl panel to uninstall the realtek drivers and just let windows install the default ms drivers, and that didn't fix it, either.

so I have tried the drivers the realtek drivers that were from the HP website, and i have tried the generic ms drivers, and no luck.

could it just be a bad sound card?

I tried out this audio channel test, and the left and right channels are find, but the center channel doesn't work.

[audiocheck.net...]

[edited by: Planet13 at 12:56 am (utc) on Sep 10, 2015]

[tangor]

Have you gone into Device manager and checked there? That would be the place to uninstall the drivers and let Windows search for new (after reboot).\

Best hope it is not bad hardware as most sound kits these days are integrated into the motherboard and that would mean finding a separate card to install.

[Leosghost]

You probably don't have an actual "sound card"..more likely sound module on the MOBO..want to check it..?

Boot into a live Linux disc / USB key ..( use mint with codecs ..download mint 17.2, burn a DVD from the iso, or make a bootable USB from it..comes with VLC player ) see what happens then..if the sound is OK..you have problem on the win side..if sound not OK ..sound module is flaky..

Then let us know..

[Planet13]

UPDATE:

Think it's more hardware than software related...

Didn't install linux yet, but...

I just realized that my computer has a headphone jack on the FRONT of my computer (as well as the jack on the back of the computer).

So, I plugged the speakers into the FRONT headphone jack, and voila, the center channel is back.

So I am guessing it is some problem related to the back headphone / speaker jack.

[tangor]

In that case try a little judicious exercise on the jack/socket by inserting, twisting, removing, repeating a half dozen times. Any debris that entered the socket might be dislodged. Of course, do this with the sound turned OFF! :)

[Planet13]

Ok, I will try it once I power down the computer.

[Leosghost]

Depends where the front headphone jack is..DVD player ? ( in which case it is fed direct and is no indication as to your sound module's health ) or separate..somewhere near the front panel USB sockets..
Rear panel sockets are marked "line out" and "line in".."mic out"..and "headphones" out..and speaker ( left and right ..two separate sockets one left, one right ) out..

MOBO module sound cards have sockets on the same metal plate as the USB sockets and the Video out put sockets and the mouse and keyboard sockets..

Separate sound cards have the input and output sockets ( usually 2.5mm female micro jacks ) on a rectangular metal plate ( about 2 cm by 10 cm ) lower down the back of the computer case..

Which ones are your speakers plugged into when you have a problem ?

Micro jack sockets ( female)of any kind are sealed at the non open end ..so anything inside just gets pushed further in when you insert and or wiggle a micro jack ( male )plug in them..

Unlike standard 2.5 jack sockets like musicians such as tangor are used to clearing out in the indicated method..tangor will also be able to tell you exactly where his can of "switch cleaner" is ..;) as I can tell you where mine is..
musos , roadies and radio hams, radio techs* ..eh :)..

Rather than "wiggling" the plug..you can try blowing into the sockets with compressed air, the kind that you get in a can for cleaning computers ( not the kind that comes from a compressor as that has water vapour in it, and is bad for computors )..the air stream sort of "bobbles" around and makes vortexes ( vortexen ? ) that can get behind any dirt and force blow the dirt back out..

*IanCp will also have "switch cleaner" or even it's non aerosol version around somewhere..

Note..you cannot use WD40 or any kind of "oil" as a substitute for "switch cleaner"..<= sometimes sold as "contact cleaner"..

[tangor]

If you are out of "switch cleaner", a 50% solution of Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and water, a very tiny swab (make your own with a wood toothpick and cotton ball, twirl the toothpick in the ball until there is a "head" TIGHT PACKED by spinning between thumb and forefinger). Drip in the solution, blot it on a paper towel (or back of your hand) until it is damp, NOT WET, then work it about inside the female jack, GENTLY. Two reasons: you don't want to bend any contact points in the socket and you do not want to lose (pull off) the cotton! Inspect the cotton after a few strokes and see if there is any debris or discoloration. If there is, toss that swab aside, make a new one and repeat until there is no discoloration. While you are at it wipe down the jack with the same solution (again, DAMP, not WET!). Wait five minutes to allow the solution to evaporate before plugging up and testing.

Yeah, I know, TMI! :)

[IanCP]

1. *IanCp will also have "switch cleaner" or even it's non aerosol version around somewhere..
2. Note..you cannot use WD40 or any kind of "oil" as a substitute for "switch cleaner"..<= sometimes sold as "contact cleaner"..

ABSOLUTELY to both.

Actually depending upon circumstances, I most times use as Tangor said, Isotropic Alcohol on cotton buds from pharmacies. I've resurrected lots of old CD players by cleaning the Laser lens that way. Later models not so much as the plastic "Lens" crazes with age.

I also sometimes use a pencil rubber eraser to clean the contacts of memory sticks.

[Planet13]

Well, after long last, I have determined it was a hardware problem after all.

Namely, the audio line cable for the speakers is bad.

I just plugged in some headphones to the 3.5mm jack, and it works fine.

Yeah... I need a vacation...

[tangor]

I love old school results (hey! plug it in that other, or get a different cable and try that!).

This I generally do myself, but that's because all of my sound gear IS discrete cabling (I don't use computer style sound systems). Some computer sound systems are hard wired and you can't easily substitute a different cable to see if that connection is the culprit.

[Planet13]

Well, I went to a rummage sale at the local high school on Saturday and found a couple of pairs of speakers at $1 each.

One pair works, the other just hums loudly.

Cot an optical mouse for a buck as well.

I am slowly turning into my dad...

[IanCP]

I am slowly turning into my dad

I love it.

Seen it happen so many times. Especially when it is followed by:

"And I used to think he was so wrong"

[tangor]

I'm always startled when I enter a public restroom with mirrors, as I see my dad in the glass... and he passed away 14 years ago!

[Planet13]

I love it. Seen it happen so many times. Especially when it is followed by: "And I used to think he was so wrong"

Well... I am NOT proud of turning into my dad (RIP). And if my SON ever starts turning into ME, I think I will basically go live in a cave far, far away.