Tag: audio

Windows 7 DirectSound Output Can Become Incapable of Playing Audio

January 22, 2010 by Jason

Uninstalling and reinstalling inbox audio driver repeatedly on Windows 7 or Windows Vista might not be the best thing to do, as Microsoft has warned that users could leave their platforms incapable of playing audio. The Redmond company does not specify the exact number uninstalls/reinstalls needed for some DirectSound output to be rendered unable to play audio, but apparently, just several such actions are sufficient.

Here is the scenario described by the software giant: ā€œYou use software to render/play audio via the DirectSound API (for example: DDK tool Graph Edit). On Vista or Windows 7, via a driver testing tool (or manually) you uninstall and then reinstall audio drivers such as “High Definition Audio Device” (HDAudio) several times. You attempt to render/play the audio stream again to a non-default DirectSound device (for example – DirectSound:Speakers as opposed to Default DirectSound device).ā€

Provided that users managed to reproduce the situation exemplified above, Microsoft indicates that no audio will be produced as a result of the stream leveraging a non-default DirectSound device for rendering. In addition, Vista and Windows 7 customers will receive the following error message: “These filters cannot agree on a connection. Verify type compatibility of input pin and output pin. Cannot play back the audio stream: no audio hardware is available, or the hardware is not responding. (Return code:0×80040256).” Read More»

Vista SP2 HD Audio Controller

July 13, 2009 by Jason

With the advent of Windows Vista, Microsoft praised the boost in energy consumption efficiency in comparison with Windows XP. Still, there are exceptions to every rule. And while Vista indeed uses less energy over XP, users of the operating system can still experience excessive power use. One such example involves Vista SP2 and earlier during sleep or hibernation, and the HD audio controller, the Redmond-based company explained. The software giant has noted that there are two scenarios in which Vista SP2 sucks more power than it should.

ā€œIf you put the computer to sleep or into hibernation when it is running on AC power, the high definition (HD) audio controller continues to use power. Additionally, even after the computer transitions to DC power while the computer is asleep or in hibernation, the HD audio controller still uses power. This behavior persists even though you disable the ā€˜Allow this device to wake the computer’ option in the HD audio controller properties,ā€ Microsoft explained.

In addition, the company has revealed that there is also an issue associated with the Wake on Ring properties not responding to the configuration introduced by users. ā€œAfter you disable the ā€˜Allow this device to wake the computer’ option in the HD audio controller properties, the Wake on Ring feature still wakes the computer from sleep or hibernation,ā€ Microsoft stated. Read More»

Vista SP2 Sound Problems

June 17, 2009 by Jason

Microsoft is making it easy for users running Windows Vista Service Pack 2, but also SP1, to resolve sound problems affecting the operating system after the deployment of a service pack. In this manner, the Redmond company is acknowledging that Vista users can run into issues related to sound once they upgrade their platform either to SP1 or to SP2. Fortunately enough, the software giant provides users with an automated solution for eventual sound problems via KB948481. Microsoft is essentially providing a Fix It button and associated solution that will help users troubleshoot any sound issues introduced with the installation of a new service pack.

ā€œAfter you install a Windows Vista service pack, you may experience one or more of the following problems with sound: no sound is produced when you play audio files or run programs that have an audio component. The speaker symbol next to the clock in the notification area may display the following message: No Audio Output Device is installed. The Sound Controller in Device Manager displays a yellow exclamation point. The sound quality changes. For example, if you previously had surround sound, you may now have stereo sound,ā€ Microsoft explained. Read More»

How to convert video to Apple’s iPhone

August 03, 2008 by Jason

Apple’s iPhone is likely to be one of the biggest gadget releases in 2007. It’s also unlikely to be sold with Apple’s iTunes Pro software so if you plan on converting your favourite movies or shows to your iPhone, you’re going to have to work it out yourself.

The reality is, however, you can start creating your iPhone video library right now because the tools already exist.

Although Apple has been reasonably scant on giving out the iPhone’s technical details, there’s enough information just from Apple’s iPhone website to help you create exactly what you need.

If you look at the technical specs of the iPhone, the Apple website says the screen is 480×320-pixels. Now if you read the fine print at the bottom of the screen it says ā€œUp to 5 hours of battery life is based on H.264 1.5-Mbps video at 640-by-480 resolution combined with 128-Kbps audioā€. Read More»

How To Download Audio Books

July 20, 2008 by Jason

Are MP3-technology portable players only good for playing cool tunes downloaded from the net? Far from it. They offer an alternative and a convenient listening addition to audio books on tape or CD.

What used to take days or weeks of waiting for the mail carrier to deliver your audio books on tape or CD, now takes no more than a few minutes. You can be listening to your favorite MP3 books straight away. And it’s going to get even better, easier and quicker, judging from the advances in audio and web technologies in recent months.

The hard core audiobook listeners may take a while to “convert” from using tapes and CDs to an MP3 format. The sheer convenience, perfect control and the size choices MP3 players offer, the “changeo ver period” is likely going to be a short one. Read More»

Top 10 Linux Distributions for Audio Production

September 06, 2007 by Jason

Have you ever dreamed of building your own music studio? I know you did and it may come true someday (or not), but until then here are some very interesting 100% FREE, Open Source Linux distributions with enhancements and features aimed at music, sound and even video production.

1. JackLab Audio Distribution (JAD for short) is a Linux distribution created especially for musicians and producers who wish to move over to an Open Source solution. Even if it’s not yet in its final version, JackLab tries very hard to provide its users with the best professional audio tools on an open source platform. The developers choose openSUSE Linux distribution for the grounds of JackLab, because they think it’s the most supported, simple and easy to use and customize distro. Read More»

No Audio Output in Vista

August 04, 2007 by Jason

Not getting any sound? First be sure that your audio playback device is properly installed by right clicking on the volume icon (by default this is found at the bottom right by the time in the notification area). Select “Playback Devices” and you should see a list of valid output devices. You may have only one, but you should have at least one. You should see a little green circle with a checkmark and a status of “Working” following the description of the device.

If you do not see any devices, you’ll need to install one. This is normally a driver issue, so installing the proper driver should do the trick. You can also check out the “Device Manager” by pressing the “Start orb” and typing “Device Manager” in the search box, Read More»