topic Re: Sound Problems with FW21L in PCs & Accessories

Sound Problems with FW21L

Steve160 — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:54:10 GMT

I recently brought a new VGN-FW21L with a Blu-ray drive and HDMI connection but when I connect to my Philips 32PFL776D HD Ready TV via the HDMI link I get a brillant picture but no sound, I've followed all the instructions in the user guide but still can't get any sound. I would be greatfull for any help on this subject. Many Thanks

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

rastrus — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:45:10 GMT

You might need to check the Playback Device settings, either by right-clicking on the Volume/speaker icon in the taskbar (notification area) near the clock or via Control Panel / Hardware and Sound / Sound.

Make sure Digital Output Device (HDMI) has a green tick next to it (by highlighting it and then press Set Default), then select OK to save the settings.

In the screenshot attached from my VAIO, it shows Speaker/HP set as default and working whilst HDMI is showing as Not plugged in. In theory, Vista should change the settings automatically when you connect a HDMI cable, but it doesn't seem to happen all the time.

See if that works for you.

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

heraldicone — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:10:01 GMT

Hello Sandgrounder(or anyone else!!)

I have a similar problem and wonder if I can throw my issue into the mix to see if you or anyone else can help please?

I have the FW 21E and am trying to output the Blu Ray discs that I have to my external (Philips as well!) TV destination.

The picture is great-but I can't get any sound. However, strangely, when I go the extras part of the discs, the vision AND sound on them play perfectly on the TV. But every time I go back to the main feature I get the vision but no sound. I have two separate discs that are both doing exactly the same thing! This seems strange but at least seems to prove that there's no obvious problem with the sound on the TV or the discs and that a proper connection is being made.

Make sure Digital Output Device (HDMI) has a green tick next to it (by highlighting it and then press Set Default), then select OK to save the settings

I've tried this but no matter what I do I can't seem to get it to accept the HDMI device as the default setting. The set as default option is greyed out and I can't get it to accept this device whatever I do. It does say that the device is NOT plugged in currently. I've had a poke about properties but, as an amateur computerist, I'm not getting anywhere. Any suggestions? Also do you think that might help given that the extras DO work and give sound through the HDMI cable anyway?

Many thanks if you can give any help with this most frustrating problem!

Cheers

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

heraldicone — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:33:30 GMT

Just to say that I have now managed to get the HDMI Digital Output Device enabled(don't ask!) BUT I'm still getting vision only and no sound

Anyone got any bright ideas? They'd certainly be welcomed

Thanks

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

rastrus — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:31:02 GMT

Hello heraldicone,

Sorry I couldn't reply earlier as I was at work.

I have just connected my VAIO to my Sony Bravia HD TV and I've attached the screenshot from the Playback Device on my VAIO showing that the Digital Output Device (HDMI) is working.

I'll see if I can help with your problem, although it could be a Sony conspiracy to make you buy one of their HD televisions and not one of their rivals!

A colleague at work has the same laptop as you and he couldn't watch Blu-Ray movies on his Panasonic HD TV connected to his laptop via HDMI because of an HDCP copyright message on the screen. I advised him to turn off his VAIO laptop screen by using the Function Key and F7 and then selecting MONITOR(HDMI). This cured the problem and he could watch and listen to his movies on the Panasonic TV.

Just out of curiosity, if your VAIO has the ATI Catalyst Control Center, make sure your television has been recognised (see attached screenshot from my VAIO). This probably won't affect the sound output problems you're experiencing though.

Let me know how you get on.

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

Steve160 — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:23:42 GMT

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the information, I've already tried most of it, but I've not got DTV on my ATI screen.

Any ideas?

Cheers.

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

heraldicone — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:48:33 GMT

Hi Sandgrounder

Thank you very much for your interest, I really appreciate it as this is driving me nuts!

The screenshot of the HDMI DOD is identical to yours-it has the green tick beside the TV in the HDMI DOD icon and says working.
Also, the ATI Catalyst CC sgreenshot is identical-except fo r the fact that it DOES pick it up as being a Philips.

I had exactly the same problem as your friend where I couldn't play the DVD on both screens for copyright reasons and had to shut down the laptop-then I got the vision and the disc seems to play fine-I just can't get any sound now!!

I've also had something strange just happen. When I click on the TV screen HDMI DOD option(with the green tick and saying working), one of the options is "levels" when clicking on that tab there is a small speaker icon. When you click on that a little "no entry" sign comes up to show that it is muted. On ONE of the discs when you click on it again to remove the muting the sound plays!! I've tried it three times now and the same thing happens each time. On the other disc, however, it stubbornly refuses to play sound even when I try this trick. How crazy is that? Please bear in mind that all the extras in both discs seem to play.

Any further thoughts or suggestions would be gratefully received. I have to admit I'm a computer clutz so PLEASE don't be afraid to point out anything obvious. as it may be just the thing I have missed! Also if you need any further information please don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

rastrus — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:13:29 GMT

Hello again heraldicone,

Just to state the obvious, have you increased the volume on the TV? I find I have to double the volume on the TV from 20 to 40 when watching Blu-Ray movies. In addition, I also max out the volume on the VAIO.

I have just had a look at the settings in InterVideo WinDVD BD for VAIO by right-clicking on the WinDVD BD window and selecting Audio Center. Another window appears on the screen and you need to click the Setup icon (highlighted on the first screenshot). If you are still connected to the TV by HDMI, your settings should be the same as screenshot 2. Otherwise, it will be as screenshot 3 for the VAIO.

Are you able to listen to music on the TV using Windows Media Player when it is connected by HDMI?

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

heraldicone — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:52:54 GMT

Thanks for replying. It's great to get someone else to bounce ideas off, or come up with new suggestions.

Yes, the sound volume is up high enough on the TV, the laptop and the soundcards as far as I can see. The proof of that particular pudding was when I got one of the discs to play just fine using the trick I suggested in the other post-the volume on the TV was just fine. As is the sound from the extras on both discs. Further, I tried WMP as you suggested, good idea, and the sound from that works just fine too.....

The screen shots of 1 and 2 are exactly the way I have them and I had already guddled about with them and tried to change them every which way but nothing seems to make any dfference, unfortunately.

Any other brain waves please don't keep 'em to yourself as I hate to be beaten by these sort of things!!

Cheers

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

heraldicone — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:14:37 GMT

One last thing for the night from me 🙂

In figure 2(or 3) there is an option, under audio output configuration, for Digital(S/PDIF) out to External Processor but this is greyed out on mine and there seems to be no way to switch it on. Is that something that would help if it was switched it on? If so, how do you go about switching to it?

Cheers

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

rastrus — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:52:09 GMT

Another thread has appeared on this forum about sound problems with the FW21L series and connecting it to a Philips TV - the fourth reply has mentioned S/PDIF... have a look here to see if it helps http://club.vaio.sony.co.uk/clubvaio/gb/en/forum/viewthread?thread=60063

It must be very frustrating for you at the moment but at least you're not alone!

I will take my laptop to my parents this evening and connect it to their Toshiba HD-ready TV and see what happens when I play a Blu-Ray movie.

I can only assume it's something to do with either copyright control or outputting the sound in a format your TV can't understand, hence why you asked about S/PDIF.

Regards,

Tony.

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

heraldicone — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:14:09 GMT

Hello

Thanks for that link.

The change to S/PDIF does sound like what made the difference to that other poster, so I'd like to at least try it. However the option is greyed out and mine and nothing I can do seems to change that I've asked on the other thread how they managed to achieve it.

That's extremely generous of you offering to trial it on your parents' machine!! If you do get the same problem and do manage to resolve it I'm sure you'd make a few people happy

Cheers

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

rastrus — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:14:24 GMT

Hello again,

Well, I don't have any good news for you unfortunately. I was able to play my three Blu-Ray discs on my parents' HD ready TV without a hitch. Their TV is three years old and my Sony Bravia is four months old.

Just for the record, the discs were:

Wanted
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Batman - The Dark Knight

The main film and all extras played with sound.

I was unable to change to the S/PDIF audio settings in WinDVD as it was still greyed out, as per my screenshots last night.

The HDMI leads are manufactured by Wharfedale and were purchased from Argos @ £15 each (534/5258).

I have come across another thread you started in which you asked about the latest update for WinDVD BD for VAIO. I am currently using Version 8.0 DXVA B09.617 which I downloaded on the 4th December 2008. This replaced the pre-installed version that was on my VAIO when I purchased it in November 2008. I have just checked VAIO-Link/Update and it has Version WinDVD BD 8.0 - 8.0.9.670_2 ready to be downloaded and installed. I think this is the same version you have installed on your VAIO?

Apart from contacting Sony, I'm not sure what else to suggest.

If I find anything else out, I'll be in touch.

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

rastrus — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 09:07:27 GMT

Just a thought - have you tried plugging headphones into the VAIO whilst the Blu-Ray movie is playing through the TV?

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

heraldicone — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 09:37:39 GMT

OK. Many, many, thanks for your efforts on my behalf. They are much appreciated.

I've just asked Sony about it, but the first response was less than inspiring: turn on the TV sound, change it to the right region and check your TV accepts HD type resolution. All of which were pretty basics suggestions that I had already well and truly covered 😞

I've batted it back to them and will let you know if, eventually, they come up with anything sensible.

Thanks once again.

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

robbym1 — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:45:10 GMT

I had an identical problem to yours and have Fw21L laptop and Philips 32pf9731D. I posted a similar query around 2 weeks ago, but alas no-one at that time answered my post!

i experimented on two separate Bluray disks. on the first disk, the sound only worked on the blu ray introduction screen, when movie begun sound goes.

On the second disk, the movie sound only worked when i played around with the sound settings in windDv player, if you right click when movie is playing and then change to one of the other two options for sound, click either direct or wave (both worked for me), the film eventually came on screen but WITH the sound.

It all seems a bit random as far as I am concerned, i never did get my first blu ray disk to ever work even trying the fix I described. I will be emailing Sony support for help soon.

FYI, I had ( and still have) problems with my first BR disk "The day after tomorrow" but my little work around worked on a movie called Runaway Vacation, which is a dodgy Robin williams movie but it was all i could get my hands on the time to conduct the experiment. Cheers Robbym1

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

heraldicone — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:28:34 GMT

Hello

Well it seems as if Philips and Sony don't talk to one another! Though I have seen other brands that have this problem......

I was interested in your workaround but can't quite get how to recreate it on my machine. When I rightclick on my Intervideo WinDVD screen whilst the movie is playing the menu comes up but there seems to be no mention of options for sound. Even when going into the Audio Centre I can't find those options 😞

I'd be really grateful if you could give me a detailed run through of exactly how you get to it please(I am computer "thick" so please go easy )

Thanks.

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

robbym1 — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:36:52 GMT

Hello again!

Right, to get to the menu I mentioned you need to get into the audio menu, if you have a look at sandgrounders earlier post in the this thread (think it was page 2 or 3), he did some screen shots that start with a right click on a little cog icon in windDVD settings, if you follow his screen shots and go into audio pull down you will see that there a 3 options to pick, "Auto", "direct sound" and "wave" I think

Just pick one of this when the movie is playing with no sound and it might, just re-start with sound. Perhaps I got lucky when i did it. It's probably not the way to fix it but a temporary solution perhaps....

Anyhow give it a try, I'll be interested to see if it works.

Sony will be receiving an email v.soon...

Good luck!

Rob

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

heraldicone — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:27:37 GMT

Thanks very much for that. Got the place you mean but, sadly, it doessn't seem to have made any difference.

Oh well, worth a try

If you do get a resolution from Sony please post it on here and I will do likewise.

Cheers

Re: Sound Problems with FW21L

Steve160 — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:39:10 GMT

Hi Everyone,

It seems we're all still having fun trying to get our FW21L laptops to work with Philips Digital TVs.

Over the weekend I tried mine on two TVs one was a LG and the other a Sony, both worked straight away without changing any of the setting, so at least I know the sound does work when I plug it into a HD Ready TV.

Tomorrow Sony are phoning me to discuss why it isn't working, I really hope they don't say that they don't talk to each other, cause otherwise mine maybe going back to the shop for a different laptop. 😞

I will report back when I've spoken to them.

Cheers

Steve.