pops and then fuzz

S

Skytbest

New Member
So I currently have a 5.1 setup and its been working well for a while. For some reason in the "sound" menu in the control panel the Digital Audio Interface's (which is set to the default device) default format is set to 2 channels and my speakers (default communication device) is set to 5.1 surround sound. So first of all I'm not even sure if I'm getting true surround sound.

But my bigger problem is that no matter what I set any of these setting to I'm getting a poping noise and then a full on fuzz whenever I'm listening to music in iTunes or any sound (like a video or audio) in Firefox or IE. It seems that no other programs have this problem. Anyone know how I could fix this problem?

Thanks
 
Digital audio out is only going to be 2-Channel unless you have a sound card/onboard audio that can do AC3- or DTS-Live. How do you currently have your speakers connected? Digitally or via the analog 1/8" mini jacks on the back of your sound card?
Also, what is your audio card?
 
I have them connected via three analog mini jacks on the back of my sound card. I have a sound blaster Live! 24-bit. Fairly old, i know, but it gets the job done.
 
SoundBlaster Live! - Hey, if it works, it works.:)

Ok, you have an analog setup going. Change the default device to analog. See if that fixes it for you.

It sounds like you are running Windows XP, correct? Also, what other programs are giving you audio just fine?
 
Actually I'm running Windows 7 :) but I don't think that is contributing to the problem. I have the Windows 7 drivers from creative and they speakers have been working fine for the past two months. As for making sure they are set to analog, um... the box labeled "digital output only" is unchecked, is that what you're talking about?
 
Oh, and programs like Quicktime, and any games and such work fine. It's kinda weird though because the Quicktime plugin for Firefox or IE gives me this problem, when the standalone program does not. Also only certain video players in Firefox or IE gimme this problem, like Window Media player, Quicktime, and some generic flash players.
 
Oh! No, I can't think of a Windows 7 specific issue with your card that hasn't been dealt with in Vista. It should run fine. I've been using it for a while without issue. :)

Bingo! Yes, that "Digital Output Only" should be unchecked. I'm surprised you are getting audio at all then... That might be a glitch with the Beta. If you have that box checked, it should only be send a digital signal from the coax or optical jack on the back of your sound card. I use this sometimes to pump out AC3/DTS to my receiver. Un-check that box! ;)

Give that a shot and let me know what happens. ...very strange that some apps will switch to analog...
 
um, i beleive I said that the box was unchecked already. Hahaha :) And I dont know if it is a windows 7 specific issue, maybe it is something with the program, it's really only iTunes and some video players in Firefox and IE. All I know is that it is very frustrating considering my dependency on iTunes and the amount i listen to music.

Any more ideas? *crosses fingers*
 
Hmmm....let me give Quicktime and iTunes a go here. I haven't installed them yet (recent re-install).

In the mean time, what devices do you see in the Playback Devices? And, which one is set to Default?

I have read of some issues with iTunes in Windows 7, though I thought that just had to do with corrupting files.
 
One more thing...

Look at the Playback Devices window while you try playing some audio from both the working and the non-working programs. Which device's level meter lights up with each?
 
Seems like the "digital audio interface's" meters light up with both. I tried setting the "speakers" to the default device (previously the default communication device) and the problem seems to be less prominent, however it is still there.
 
Skytbest said:
Seems like the "digital audio interface's" meters light up with both. I tried setting the "speakers" to the default device (previously the default communication device) and the problem seems to be less prominent, however it is still there.
Click to expand...

What do you mean by "less prominent"? Do you get sound now?

Wait...so you get audio out your analog speakers in some programs, but the "Speaker" level meter never lights up? Do you still have Digital Output Only selected?

BTW - another thought....have you tried using your onboard audio?
 
I've always been getting sound... its just filled with pops, and then after a while there is really bad fuzz and some sound (only in the programs listed)

digital output only was never selected

how do I go about using my on-board audio? I only have the audio jacks coming from my sound card, no others on the back of the computer (if that's what you mean)
 
Thank you for the further clarification. Can you give a list of other programs where audio does work, or the type of program they are? Also, can you clear up my other question regarding whether or not the "Speaker" output's level meter also shows signal?

As for the on-board audio, I was referring to the motherboard connectors, but if you don't have any, that won't be possible. Does your existing sound card show up in the Device Manager?
 
the "speaker" level meter only shows a signal when "speakers" are set to the default device.

it's interesting because iTunes and some videoplayers in firefox and IE dont work while other music/video players work fine (like Divx and Quicktime). Although I done think it is a problem with these programs is may be.

Yes it shows up in device manager
 
Skytbest said:
the "speaker" level meter only shows a signal when "speakers" are set to the default device.
Click to expand...

That is as it should be. Do you see the default device switching around on you then?


it's interesting because iTunes and some videoplayers in firefox and IE dont work while other music/video players work fine (like Divx and Quicktime). Although I done think it is a problem with these programs is may be.
Click to expand...

That is strange. I had iTunes working fine on my end last night. Granted I don't have a Live!24 card... I find it especially weird that iTunes doesn't work but Quicktime does.

When you play a song in iTunes, what meters light up? When you play a file in Quicktime, what meters light up?
 
Bummer... Would you happen to have a USB headset to try? I am trying to narrow down if this is an issue with misbehaving software or a bug with the card.
 
I do have a USB headset, what would you like me to do with it? Last time I used it it seemed to be working fine.
 
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