Microsoft KB Archive/904408

= You cannot control the volume to external devices that are playing digital audio in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 =

Article ID: 904408

Article Last Modified on 8/9/2005

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

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SYMPTOMS
You use a digital audio decoder to play digital audio on a Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based computer that is connected to either of the following external devices:
 * An AV receiver that is connected to the computer by the Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) input.
 * A set of digital speakers.

You find that you cannot control volume levels to the external devices by using the volume controls in the Media Center Edition user interface (UI). For example, when you press the MUTE button on the remote, the volume does not mute. When you press the volume control buttons that have the plus sign and the minus sign, the volume remains the same. Although the mute UI displays on the screen, the volume does not adjust.



CAUSE
This issue occurs because Windows Media Center Edition 2005 cannot control the volume for digital output. This issue affects all digital audio formats. These include the following:
 * Digital audio from a video source. For example, Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Services (DVB-T) are digital.
 * Any alternative digital audio source, such as such as DVDs, CDs, .wma files, and .mp3 files.



WORKAROUND
To work around this issue, use the volume controls on the AV receiver or on the digital speakers. Configure volume settings so that you use only the volume control on the receiver.



MORE INFORMATION
You can use Media Center Edition to control the volume of non-digital (analog) audio, even over S/PDIF. Therefore, your Media Center Edition audio setting will affect the volume on the AV receiver or on the digital speakers for analog audio. All TV broadcasts that are routed through National Television System Committee (NTSC) or Phase Alternating Line (PAL) TV tuner cards will have analog audio.

Media Center Technical Support
Because Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition was included with your hardware device or system, the hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for this software. Your manufacturer may have customized the installation with unique components such as specific device drivers and optional settings to maximize the performance of that manufacturer's hardware. If you require technical help with Windows XP Media Center Edition, contact your manufacturer directly because the manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that the manufacturer has installed on the hardware.

You can also visit the Windows XP Media Center Edition product information Web site at the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

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