Aspire E5-574G - Breaking Audio via HDMI

romoval

Dear all:

I have an Aspire E5-574G.

I am having problems with Audio, only when connecting via HDMI to my Samsung TV + Sound Bar.

I have been using Acer Care to install new drivers and whatever Windows Updated suggested.

I have got a brand new high speed HDMI cable and I know it is not it,as the same cable on the same port with other computer works fine.

I am assuming that the HDMI port is hard-connected to the Intel graphics card (and not the nVidia, I have two cards).

Therefore I am checking the Intel HD Graphics 520 drivers currently installed (via Device Manager) with what the Acer support site has and I can see my current ones are newer.

Currently installed

Date:2017/02/1

Version:21.20.16.4599

Published on the web page

Date:2017/02/16

Version:10.18.15.4248

But when I download the .zip file and open the install_readme.txt file it states:

-------------------------------------------------

Driver Version: 15.40.3.1.64.4248
Release Version: Production Version
Platform / Operating System(s):    
6th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) processor family (codename Skylake)
     Microsoft Windows* 7 64
     Microsoft Windows* 8.1 64
    Microsoft Windows* 10 64
5th Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) processor family (codename Broadwell)
     Microsoft Windows* 7 64
     Microsoft Windows* 8.1 64
4th Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) processor family (codename Haswell)
     Microsoft Windows* 10 64
Release Date: August 12, 2015

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am reluctant to install such an old driver.

I have validated already the sound effects are turned off from HD Audio Manager.

My sample rate is 48000 Hz and sample rate 24 bit, the highest one.

It fails with Spotify / YouTube on any web browser and any music / audio intermittently.

Device Manager does not detect any new driver to update, neither Windows Update suggests anything. The Intel automatic driver validator states that this video driver is custom Acer and refuses to suggest any new driver.

Thanks.

JackE

>>>I am reluctant to install such an old driver.>>>

Install the ACER-specific driver anyway. Jack E/NJ

Joe9844

Just install the latest Intel DCH driver --- must use installer exe.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/88355/Intel-HD-Graphics-520

It no longer matters what computer manufacturer's specific driver is anymore.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-intel-unlocks-graphics-drivers-so-you-can-now-bypass-oem-customizations/

romoval

OK, so Jack are you saying I install whatever is the latest Acer one? Irrespective of how old?

Joe, I would have expected the Intel® Driver & Support Assistant to automatically suggest what you suggest, but it is actually stating NOT to install any driver from the Intel page.

Can any of you confirm that indeed for this model the HDMI is hardwired ONLY to the Intel card and not the nVidia?

I would want to diagnose the wrong card and the nVidia tools do self-update drivers without issues.

Thanks.

romoval

Joe using the installer.exe fails the same as with the wizard. According to the ZDnet you shared so kindly, there is a catch

"OEM customizations are preserved during this upgrade process, in accordance with Microsoft DCH driver design principles (refer to Microsoft documentation, 'Extension INF Publishing Whitepaper' to learn more). The installer will continue to restrict OEM non-DCH to Intel generic non-DCH upgrades as well as OEM non-DCH to Intel generic DCH driver upgrades. End users will continue to be referred to OEM websites," Intel notes.

I tried looking at the currently installed driver details .inf file name so see if is indeed non-DHC as per:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000031275/graphics.html

It is legacy non-DHC. I can confirm I am 6th generation.

It look there is a way to force the complete removal of the original OEM driver, but is riskier and difficult to rollback.

Am I looking at buying a new laptop to make proper use of HDMI?

JackE

Install the ACER-specific driver anyway. Jack E/NJ

Joe9844

You can try to switch the intel graphics card to use Microsoft's generic graphics driver and then try to install the DCH driver.

Joe9844

JackE said:

Install the ACER-specific driver anyway. Jack E/NJ

It doesn't make any common sense to tell people to install a super old driver that we know has numerous unpatched security vulnerabilities to fix a trivial matter.

JackE

I disagree. Jack E/NJ

Joe9844

You may disagree all you want.

The fact that you DON'T tell people that the old driver has unpatched security vulnerabilities BEFORE you tell them to install them is irresponsible.

You are not giving them an informed choice.

romoval

Guys, let's calm down a little.

The issue I am having is not so grave to justify such an old driver, which I know has issues. So unless something else major develops, I am not going to install it.

Can we focus on my outstanding question. Is this specific laptop model HDMI port physically connected ONLY to the Intel graphic card?

Are we sure updating the nVIdia card driver does not affect the output of the HDMI port?

I understand this is an old laptop and the warranty expired, so I do not expect to have official support for Acer. Still I do not need a new laptop for now, this is trivial.

Thanks.

Joe9844

As I said, you may try to switch from your legacy Intel driver to the "generic" Microsoft graphics driver.

Restart your computer.

Then try to install the new Intel DCH driver over the generic driver.

romoval

Thanks Joe, I understood this but I am not convinced.

What are you thoughts regarding the HDMI port and the nVidia card?