HDMI Audio Question

[tomhanser]

I'm in need of upgrading the video card in my Alienware DHS-2 media center machine - the fan is screaming when I boot up.

I use a VGA cable right now, but I'd like to be using HDMI to cable the media center to my flat screen.

I'm hoping to update the video card with one that includes an HDMI port.

I'm running Windows 7 on this box, and every device is working except audio - there is no driver for the on-board RealTek audio available for Windows 7. (I've been getting by with a small, simple USB external audio card. It's not perfect, it works.)

My question is, will the HDMI port still deliver audio to the TV with no audio drivers installed? I'm not sure how this works or where HDMI obtains the audio from.

Before I buy the wrong video card, can anyone comment on this?

Thanks.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Most new video cards now have an audio chip on the card itself for the sole purpose of sending audio over DVI or HDMI along with video.

So you do need audio drivers, but you need the ones for the video card which are included in the video card drivers. You don't need the audio drivers for your motherboard/system to get audio over HDMI.

 

[SirGCal]

As aforementioned; The HDMI output itself has the audio you need. You'll have an HDMI audio driver. You should not need any other audio hardware.

 

[tomhanser]

Brilliant! This is exactly what I need to know.

I already know what card I want to buy, but I have to be careful not to get one with too big a fan - not too much room inside this low-profile case. The video card is horizontally mounted on a riser.

Anyway, my next trick is to open up the hole for the current S-video port, large enough for an HDMI plug:

http://www.netzwelt.de/images/thumb/9/2008/500/3550-alienware-dhs2-back-anschlsse.jpg

I do NOT want to take a file to or a drill bit to this case - it's in great shape and I don't want to mess it up!

Thanks again.

 

[SirGCal]

Borrow a dremel with a cutoff wheel and grinder. Remove all of the components to protect them from shavings. Then tape off the area and cut and grind to clean. Pretty cheap tool a lot of people have (or you could buy one for ~ $20 if you needed to) that will do a professional-level job if you're careful.

 

[tomhanser]

Thanks for that suggestion. I was considering using a Dremel but I'm a little fearful of...tearing it up.

I can remove that one little panel that is a faceplate for the video card - it's held in with two screws. It's only as big as the video card.

I am hoping to cut a nice notch out of this faceplate with a different tool, a hole punch that uses a ratchet wrench to pull a cutter blade through the sheet metal. It makes a cleaner edge, but I have to find one first.

Not sure which is the best way to do this, but although this box is a little older I still love it.

Thanks again.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Depending on the card you may not need to cut the faceplate. The HDMI port might line up where the VGA or DVI port is.

 

[tomhanser]

Good point, cusideabelincoln. If I'm lucky that'll be the case.

Most video cards I see that have HDMI position the port right in the middle, where my current S-video port it. I have an ATI Radeon HD 4300/4500 series installed in my desktop machine and that's where the HDMI port is.

Thanks!

 

[tweakboy]

I'm in need of upgrading the video card in my Alienware DHS-2 media center machine - the fan is screaming when I boot up.

I use a VGA cable right now, but I'd like to be using HDMI to cable the media center to my flat screen.

I'm hoping to update the video card with one that includes an HDMI port.

I'm running Windows 7 on this box, and every device is working except audio - there is no driver for the on-board RealTek audio available for Windows 7. (I've been getting by with a small, simple USB external audio card. It's not perfect, it works.)

My question is, will the HDMI port still deliver audio to the TV with no audio drivers installed? I'm not sure how this works or where HDMI obtains the audio from.

Before I buy the wrong video card, can anyone comment on this?

Thanks.

slow down, nake a deep breath all is well. If your video card has HDMI and you use it, youll be transferinng both audio and video. There is a built in sound card on your video card. Its 16 bit 44hz audio which sux! but ya when u install nvidia driver you install the nvidia audio driver as well.. I have no use for the audio but some budget people dont wanna buy a higher end mobo or get dedicated audio card ,,, a lot of home users some kids .... Is there a difference between DVI and HDMI as far as picture quality that is another debat for another day for another thread. gg and gb