DTS DCH Driver for Realtek HDA [DTS:X APO4 + DTS Interactive]

[Journeym]

The encoder is an APO on EFX. In this case Stereo Mix is keeping the receiver in DTS mode with a constant DTS stream.
Not sure why its happing with other drivers too, unless its W11, still on W10 myself.

I thought you where using another driver, so no it wont be power states in that case (using DTS DCH).

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Not sure this is related but you might want to check for a new BIOS and if there is W11 changes.
Its also possible for other device drivers to cause audio issues, cut-out, other.

Stupid question, but is there any way i can get 6ch 48hz 24bit on Stereo Mix?

There is a clear relation between bitrate on this adapter and occurence of tearing

 

[Ferather]

No unfortunately not.

 

[Journeym]

Not sure this is related but you might want to check for a new BIOS and if there is W11 changes.
Its also possible for other device drivers to cause audio issues, cut-out, other.

Yeah updated BIOS a few days ago
Other drivers. I have tried all the drivers from this forum. It is possible i have some trash to clean, but i dont know how.
What i already tried was rebuilding all audio endboints in fx configurator an deleting all dts realtek and game controllers in DriverStore Explorer.
Is there an option to delete audio endpoint profiles somwhere, or rebuilding all audio endboints in fx configurator is doing just that?

 

[Ferather]

Rebuild in FX Config will clear the registry and start again, but it wont fix other issues. You can also try another optical cable if higher bitrate is an issue.

 

[Journeym]

Thanks, i fixed my issue. (https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...ital-live-dts-interactive.291458/post-5239942)
And no, using another cable and differnt spdif port on reciever did not help.

 

[Ferather]

@Journeym, must be something odd with Horizon if other games are fine, even with DTS. Very strange.

Edit: You can try disabling enhancements when playing Horizon, the encoder will stay on, but it will be raw to encoder, no SFX-MFX.
That applies to DTS DCH, other drivers may also work in the same way, I think the Realtek encoder is also EFX.

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Unfortunately some games don't support multichannel SPDIF properly (you could also try this workaround).
In the workaround VAC counts as Stereo Mix, it will do 6+ channels, more than Stereo Mix.

For games that work normally just use SPDIF direct, else use VAC (VAC to SPDIF).

 

[Journeym]

@Journeym, must be something odd with Horizon if other games are fine, even with DTS. Very strange.

Edit: You can try disabling enhancements when playing Horizon, the encoder will stay on, but it will be raw to encoder, no SFX-MFX.
That applies to DTS DCH, other drivers may also work in the same way, I think the Realtek encoder is also EFX.

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Unfortunately some games don't support multichannel SPDIF properly (you could also try this workaround).
In the workaround VAC counts as Stereo Mix, it will do 6+ channels, more than Stereo Mix.

For games that work normally just use SPDIF direct, else use VAC (VAC to SPDIF).

I used VAC on win10 according to your guide, and used it with current drivers to verify channels are working. Unfortunately it does absolutely nothing with my issue.
I usually dont enable enhancements, but ill check.

What i also have tried recently is to change AudioEng.dll in both system32 and syswow64 to the version i used in win 10 (from drive shadowcopy)
It worked fine in other games outputing DTS, but exactly Horizon wasn't producing any sound at all, even not starting DTS on reciever.
Taking it into account it seems sony (or who theyre working with on game migration to pc) used some new audio dependance exactly with win11.
Oh well, lets wait for ghost of tsusima to check this )

 

[Ferather]

I guess Horizon needs re-programming, not sure why games like that don't work normally, most do, games should read the registry-other for channel count and PCM format (24b/48k).

A working example is Audacity, where you can record (loopback) and playback 6 channels over SPDIF-Optical in PCM format, using WASAPI (see here).
Windows has a default buffer size of 10ms, so in a out+in situation, such as a loopback, that's 20ms (10+10).

Some games allow you to select an audio output-input device, and in some cases, allow you to select a number of channels such as 7.1 (8 channels).
There are also a few games where you can edit a configuration file and manually set 6 or 8 channels total.

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Those entries should read back 6 channels 24 bit 48k.

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@Journeym, have you tried Win CAudio (Settings and Utility, post 1 link), to see if that helps in anyway?
You will need to use drives (C:\) to navigate to the .reg files, TI has no user folders.

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Note, anyone switching from [main] to [alternative], make sure you fully remove [main] first, follow post 1 to remove.
Otherwise both .inf files will be present, [main] will probably remain active, [alternative] unused.

 

[Ferather]

If you would like to expand DTS-Realtek to another device, use 'DTS Settings' (Settings and Utility). You may also need the additional registry guide below:
Usage: Edit the relevant .reg file, replacing {DEVICE-ID} with your chosen endpoint in both locations, save, double click, restart.



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Note, when I specify Realtek, you will be looking for DTS DCH instead with this driver pack.


I will use VAC as the endpoint to change (old images), open 'Regedit' and go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio\Render
Find a Realtek 'HDAUDIO' device on the system (left side in Regedit), it can be any Realtek endpoint that says 'HDAUDIO', I used Realtek [Speakers].

Find and copy the value of [ {b3f8fa53-0004-438e-9003-51a46e139bfc},2 ] from [Speakers], replace the value on the [VAC] device.
Next, change [ {a45c254e-df1c-4efd-8020-67d146a850e0},24 ], to 'HDAUDIO' on the [VAC] device, then restart.




VAC with the two above changes + DTS Settings (also shows in the Realtek app).

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In some cases you might need additional permissions to edit the endpoint, use ExecTI to run 'Regedit', then you can edit entries and import .reg files.

DTS note, to change modes when using 'stereo mode', you need the form factor external-internal speakers or headphones.
When no supported form factor is detected, multichannel is as normal, stereo is in default only mode.

 

[Ferather]

If you need to reset DTS and clear spatial data for any reason (Windows updates, other) do the following:

1: Open 'Services', then double click and disable 'Windows Audio', 'Endpoint Builder', and the extra 'Realtek Service' task in 'Task Manager', then restart your computer.
2: Open 'Regedit' and go to [ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\DTS\APO ], and delete all the endpoint entries, but not the 'APO' key.

3: Go to [ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio\Render ], go through each device doing the following:
> Hold shift and select all [ {a45429a4-aa63-4480-b7f8-3f2552daee93} ] entries, 2 to 6-7, then delete them (not holding shift).

4: Open 'Services' and 'Task Manager' then enable the disabled services and task, restart your computer.


Note with 'Regedit' you can copy the above locations into the navigation bar at the top.

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[Ferather]

If you are using Equalizer APO, the latest version is 1.3.2. If you are using an older version and my upmixer, install the update then re-run 'Configure.reg', reboot.

 

[Ferather]

Some notes with Equalizer APO (I will contact the author at some point). It has a bug at least with optical endpoints with an encoder, set to passthrough.
The passthrough key specifies [2 channels 16 bit 48k], which is the PCM stream used to transmit DTS-Dolby on SPDIF interfaces.

Please note a stream, can have specifications (PCM, 16bit 48k), but be empty of audio, or contain something else.

By default Equalizer APO detects the end format key (2ch 16/48), but also the format used in the engine (6ch 24/48), and likely gets confused at times.
With its default flags (13) some apps would cut out, on load or minimise to desktop, my edit fixes this issue (last I checked).

The are however two remaining EAPO bugs, 1: An occasional device start-up cut out, 2: Can have a fit cutting out when muted/unmuted.
The start-up cut out is fairly rare, maybe 1/20, but also random, so maybe 1/5, but causes no runtime issues.

I don't use mute much but when I do, it tends not to happen, but if tested (repeated) it will eventually happen (maybe first time).


It would seem EAPO does not cut out the stream, as other MFX-EFX points do not re-initialize, but instead cuts out the content.
Note sure why it reacts to mute other than the passthrough format, as mute is after EFX (to my knowledge).

Testing mute, I can see the audio meter still going up-down, and APO's do not re-initialize.

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No known issues without Equalizer APO.

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[Ferather]

Made this video for giggles using a text to AI video generator: https://streamable.com/5zbqs5
Also Windows 10 got an update with a new AudioDG, signed April 2024.

 

[Ferather]

I have received quite a few messaged recently, people moving from one driver to this one. I have posted a guide with post 1 of this thread (see here).

If any previous Realtek, AAF, other (Nahmic, Sonic Studio) remain, they will override parts of the DTS DCH pack.
This will produce various issues, resulting in not being able to use DTS Ultra.

In cases where everything is correct, and the app is working, but no audio changes are made, you need the alternative install.
Make sure to follow post 1 again, as similar will happen if you do not remove main first.

In some cases Windows will download extensions via Windows update, see near the bottom of post 1 to stop it.

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Currently I am quite busy, but at times I will be available to use TeamViewer (without install), for remote assistant (will do it all for you, for free).

 

[silentfury]

I would just like to thank Ferather for all their hard work now that AAF Optimus is no longer. They spent some of their valuable time today on a teamviewer session with me and helped me get it working on my Surface 4 [AMD] Laptop.

Cheers.

 

[leveltrauma]

Some notes with Equalizer APO (I will contact the author at some point). It has a bug at least with optical endpoints with an encoder, set to passthrough.
The passthrough key specifies [2 channels 16 bit 48k], which is the PCM stream used to transmit DTS-Dolby on SPDIF interfaces.

Please note a stream, can have specifications (PCM, 16bit 48k), but be empty of audio, or contain something else.

By default Equalizer APO detects the end format key (2ch 16/48), but also the format used in the engine (6ch 24/48), and likely gets confused at times.
With its default flags (13) some apps would cut out, on load or minimise to desktop, my edit fixes this issue (last I checked).

The are however two remaining EAPO bugs, 1: An occasional device start-up cut out, 2: Can have a fit cutting out when muted/unmuted.
The start-up cut out is fairly rare, maybe 1/20, but also random, so maybe 1/5, but causes no runtime issues.

I don't use mute much but when I do, it tends not to happen, but if tested (repeated) it will eventually happen (maybe first time).


It would seem EAPO does not cut out the stream, as other MFX-EFX points do not re-initialize, but instead cuts out the content.
Note sure why it reacts to mute other than the passthrough format, as mute is after EFX (to my knowledge).

Testing mute, I can see the audio meter still going up-down, and APO's do not re-initialize.

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No known issues without Equalizer APO.

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@Ferather I'm a little bit confused right now.
Can you please explain this in more detail for me? I have noticed that this nonsense is sporadically entered in the registry:

Also the DTS APO part on your third screenshot: Is what we see on the screenshot okay and should be entered exactly as it is, or are you demonstrating an error situation?
It also looks messed up in my registration:

I'm toying with the idea of revoking the write permissions of the AudioEndpointBuilder and/or the AudioSrv as well as the system user as TrustedInstaller for specific Reg-Keys. The behavior of Windows is once again just annoying.

Thanks in advance!

 

[t4gg4rt]

I would just like to thank Ferather for all their hard work now that AAF Optimus is no longer. They spent some of their valuable time today on a teamviewer session with me and helped me get it working on my Surface 4 [AMD] Laptop.

Cheers.

Absolutly true, they took the time and explained to me in precise detail stuff i did not understand. Many thanks!

 

[Ferather]

@leveltrauma

Question 1: That I modified, as I was debugging E-APO and the weird issue it has. E-APO only supports single line (I call exclusive) APO's and does not support multi-line (composite) APO's.
The keys with the data [!VALUE] pertain to adding another APO for E-APO to support (support currently installed APO), which again is read from exclusive not composite.
Realtek has not used exclusive, single line, APO entries for a very long time, and in order to get more than one active APO system, composite is used.
I deleted the entries in E-APO's registry point purely for debugging, with the data [!VALUE], they are already inactive.

Question 2: This one is for developers to follow, by default they should already understand the information given about APO initialization, DTS outputs a count to follow.
In a way the screenshot can be used as a reference, if only the mode (APO-Music) line is present (after a reboot), then DTS-APO is not running.
This means you have installed the main option, and will need to fully uninstall it and swap to alternative, then it will work.
DTS will create all keys and data by its self, there is no need to edit-modify anything.


Not all devices can use the main option from the installer. I use main with my S1220A, but many of you wont be able to (wont run).

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The Microsoft APO system is still the best way for audio, regardless of the fact they screw it up here and there. Without it DTS-Dolby-Sonic Studio-Other would not be available.
In fact the SFX-MFX-EFX system, I have implemented with my DMAS design, as software processing using hardware is superior and more flexible.

Name one AVR using 32 bit float processing, there are some using 32 bit, but not float. There is also 48 bit when it comes to class d.

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There are quite a few digital products that now use their own SoC for processing, rather than use other parts or other devices.




102 channels is based on TOSLink, 125 Mbit/s using RTN.

 

[leveltrauma]

Well thanks for your time to explain. I was sure to have the same Chip like you but I have only the ALC 12200 Chipset Onboard. I will follow your Recommendation and test from scratch with the alternative method.
I was, thanks to your work, satisfied with this onboard chip but maybe I will install my good old Creative with SB1500 Chipset.
THANKS

 

[Ferather]

Are you using digital or analogue output? If digital SPDIF there should not be too much difference between two SPDIF devices, although there will be some (different module, power parts).
If analogue then there could be quite big difference between devices, for example my S1220A has crystal sound 3, which is the sum of premium analogue parts.

I have seen people using my other DTS package to run it on Auzentech X-Fi, cant see why not on the SB1500 also.

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When it comes to digital, the main parts (DAC other) are in the receiver, not the output device:



Not very expensive to build a standard quality, with high specs.

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Why do two ore more AVR's sound different with the same speakers? Again the same as above, its down the sum of its analogue parts, no different to Realtek.
This is something I am trying to get rid of entirely, only the speaker its self should influence change in audio output, not before.

Enter the DMAS. As a side note, if those two example boards above had an SoC instead of DAC, would be a DMAS.

What is True Sound? The concept explained | Stuff

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Fun fact, a movie put onto say a 100GB write locked USB, makes a Blu-ray player entirely obsolete, considering how many devices can read a USB.
The USB can be placed into a hard case, the same as any disc, you could also do the same with audio albums, on smaller USB's.

Streaming is convenient I admit, but its nearly always reduced to save stream and file size, at the loss of quality.

 

[Axel_Moore]

Hi, i just upgraded to the last drivers, and all went perfect, but i was doing some test and just install and old file DTS-X Ultra.7z from your thread, after this, nothing sounds in my system, when i go to do the windows sounds tests, it says, cant play the test sound in that device How can i uninstall that DTS-X utlra? Thanks

I just saw that cant start DTS APO Service, giving that error when i try manually...

 

[leveltrauma]

Hi, i just upgraded to the last drivers, and all went perfect, but i was doing some test and just install and old file DTS-X Ultra.7z from your thread, after this, nothing sounds in my system, when i go to do the windows sounds tests, it says, cant play the test sound in that device How can i uninstall that DTS-X utlra? Thanks
View attachment 349558View attachment 349559

I just saw that cant start DTS APO Service, giving that error when i try manually...

View attachment 349560

If the service couldn't start, please check in [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DtsApo4Service]
the content of the ImagePath.

for i.e.:

Are you using digital or analogue output? If digital SPDIF there should not be too much difference between two SPDIF devices, although there will be some (different module, power parts).
If analogue then there could be quite big difference between devices, for example my S1220A has crystal sound 3, which is the sum of premium analogue parts.

I have seen people using my other DTS package to run it on Auzentech X-Fi, cant see why not on the SB1500 also.

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View attachment 349541

When it comes to digital, the main parts (DAC other) are in the receiver, not the output device:

View attachment 349542 View attachment 349543

Not very expensive to build a standard quality, with high specs.

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Why do two ore more AVR's sound different with the same speakers? Again the same as above, its down the sum of its analogue parts, no different to Realtek.
This is something I am trying to get rid of entirely, only the speaker its self should influence change in audio output, not before.

Enter the DMAS. As a side note, if those two example boards above had an SoC instead of DAC, would be a DMAS.

What is True Sound? The concept explained | Stuff

====

Fun fact, a movie put onto say a 100GB write locked USB, makes a Blu-ray player entirely obsolete, considering how many devices can read a USB.
The USB can be placed into a hard case, the same as any disc, you could also do the same with audio albums, on smaller USB's.

Streaming is convenient I admit, but its nearly always reduced to save stream and file size, at the loss of quality.

using Optical Out for a long time. I like it . But before I had a coaxial cable connected to my Logitech THX system. Well great that you ask:
You posted 4 screenshots some time ago. Optical - HT; SPDIF -Complete; SPDIF - HT and SPDIF unused.

That also made me a little unsure. Since the Optical Out is the SPDIF Out. Which of the 3 configurations would be the correct one? I have oriented myself to the “SPDIF - Output”.

Btw: Windows 11 will no longer play AC3 codec by default