This is for my computer setup.

I've got a Soundblaster SB0060 with the latest drivers, an NEC ND-3540A dvd drive with the latest firmware, Windows XP all patched and up to date, and some Logitech z-640 5.1 speakers.

When playing a DVD there are times the 5.1 sound doesn't work. All I get is a huge, loud buzzing noise that blasts me out of my chair. I need to set the player to use the Stereo to hear the sound.

Sometimes it works fine, about 5% of the time. Other times it's just the huge blasting noise.

Please help me work this out, it's driving me out of my mind.

Are you playing DD or DTS audio tracks? If you don't have a DTS encoder and you try and playback DTS you will get what I call "loud hiss". If is DD and allof your settings are setupup correct you may have an intermittent ground problem. Your problem is in the SC not the DVD drive. Try uninstalling all of your drivers and the sound card and then reinstall. Make sure you shut down you PC after you uninstall...then let us know the results

Are you playing DD or DTS audio tracks? If you don't have a DTS encoder and you try and playback DTS you will get what I call "loud hiss". If is DD and allof your settings are setupup correct you may have an intermittent ground problem. Your problem is in the SC not the DVD drive. Try uninstalling all of your drivers and the sound card and then reinstall. Make sure you shut down you PC after you uninstall...then let us know the results

They're just DVDs. I'll "setup" the DVD for 5.1 sound and it might start playing fine. Then other times it will just be the loud noise.

I just did the whole uninstall the SC thing and updated all the drivers again. Complete uninstall etc.

Pretty sure it's a software problem. Your sound card is not sending DD/DTS signal correctly, this happens with my Creative Audigy card sometimes, but a restart usually solves the problem. In worst case, you might consider reinstalling windows, or maybe changing the sound card's PCI slot.

I'm wondering if I should just replace the card altogether.

Also, when 5.1 is working properly, there will be random "pops" that come out of the speakers.

Sounds like sometimes your player is accessing the DVD video layer (DTS) and producing a loud hiss. Other times its accessing the DVD Audio layer and playing the 5.1 audio files. The software player setup needs to be set for the default to be one or the other.

The random pops usually indicate a latency issue where you need to increase the buffer size.

The random pops usually indicate a latency issue where you need to increase the buffer size.

Increasing the buffer on the drive? Or the card?

This can be done with the Soundblaster programs?

I'm a relative noob so I apologize if I'm talking in circles or not really catching your drift.

The card. Your soundcard should have a control panel where you can increase the buffer size. i have my buffer set to 2048 samples. This eliminates the pops produced by 5.1 hi-rez audio.

The control panel is where you switch between 2.0 stereo and 5.1 playback. Enable or disable S/PDIF. Those types of things.

I can't find any of that stuff, I'm an idiot.

But I have found some more clues.

If I use the media player to switch between 5.1 and stereo, do that back and forth a few times, the 5.1 will eventually "stick".

Have you tried simply using a different software for playback?

As opposed to VLC? I've been told that's one of the best out there. But at this point I'm absolutely beyond frustration and will try anything.

Can you recommend some alternatives? I like to be able to adjust aspect ratio, have an EQ etc etc.

The Soundblaster X-FI DVDA player is supposed to be one of the best DVDA players going. Did you install the software when you installed your soundcard?

As opposed to VLC? I've been told that's one of the best out there. But at this point I'm absolutely beyond frustration and will try anything.

Can you recommend some alternatives? I like to be able to adjust aspect ratio, have an EQ etc etc.


Well, eliminating the software as the source of the issue would be helpful. Media Player Classic is a free alternative that is well liked. PowerDVD is free with most DVD burners. Nero has a media player, and I'll wager you have one or 2 other options around there somewhere.

I don't think that came with my card. It's just a basic Soundblaster Live! SB0060. Unless I'm wrong...gonna go google.

Is my card an X-FI card?