Initialising audio

[zydonk]

Tried to raise this problem by ticket, but had it closed on the understanding that this was a non-WZ specific issue. Fair enough.

But I am raising it here because I have this problem only with WZ.

Problem: If volume on laptop is adjusted while WZ is loading one of two scenarios ensues:

1. If adjustment is made towards start of loading, no sound is available and WZ itself will not operate properly;

2. If adjustment is made later during loading, then gameplay is subject to a continuous judder, which leaves the game unplayable.

By adjustment of volume, I mean raising or lowering - usually lowering (to avoid panic in the household) - the volume. It is this action that affects WZ.

It is a minor problem, easily avoided by letting all hell break loose for a few seconds before I lower the sound. But, if it is a gremlin in how WZ initialises the available audio, then it will be an ongoing problem that can affect others.

The laptop is a Sony VAIO; sound is RealTek HD audio using a Sigma HD Audio Codec.

[stiv]

It is hard to discuss a platform-specific problem without any mention of the operating system or sound drivers.

[zydonk]

Vista, fully updated as of this am. The driver details:

Realtek HD Audio: version 6.0.1.5433 date: 12/06/2007

SigmaTel HD Codec: version 6.10.5614.0 date: 13/09/2007

these are the latest drivers available from Sony.

[Buginator]

Vista, fully updated as of this am. The driver details:

Realtek HD Audio: version 6.0.1.5433 date: 12/06/2007

SigmaTel HD Codec: version 6.10.5614.0 date: 13/09/2007

these are the latest drivers available from Sony.

Those are pretty darn old.
Get newer ones from http://www.realtek.com/downloads/

[zydonk]

Yes, but they'll bollocks the lap. And don't ask me how old the display driver is...

Actually, the sound card is quite good, with a remarkably low latency - for a non-audiophil card, that is. With a decent pair of speakers, it's tops for a party.

[Buginator]

Yes, but they'll bollocks the lap. And don't ask me how old the display driver is...

Actually, the sound card is quite good, with a remarkably low latency - for a non-audiophil card, that is. With a decent pair of speakers, it's tops for a party.

Can't you create a rollback point, and try the drivers out ?

[zydonk]

The VAIO has two sets of audio drivers. The Realtek feed the optical out, while the SigmaTel deal with speakers/mic. The SigmaTel is a bespoke setup specifically for the Sony laps, so drivers don't get updated beyond the requirements of the various models.

I've tried replicating the problem on the PC, but it (3gig Duo) loads WZ in one plus second flat, so any tinkering with the volume control seems not to register. The lap (2gig centrino Duo) is slower, time no doubt for the vol adjust to affect setting up the audio.

Unless anyone else has a similar prob to report, I'd let it go, Bug. I've already got the habit of adjusting the vol before I load WZ, which is a working solution for me...

[Buginator]

The VAIO has two sets of audio drivers. The Realtek feed the optical out, while the SigmaTel deal with speakers/mic. The SigmaTel is a bespoke setup specifically for the Sony laps, so drivers don't get updated beyond the requirements of the various models.

I've tried replicating the problem on the PC, but it (3gig Duo) loads WZ in one plus second flat, so any tinkering with the volume control seems not to register. The lap (2gig centrino Duo) is slower, time no doubt for the vol adjust to affect setting up the audio.

Unless anyone else has a similar prob to report, I'd let it go, Bug. I've already got the habit of adjusting the vol before I load WZ, which is a working solution for me...

It still is bugging me though. I don't see a logical reason why they are doing that. What happens if you set the hardware acceleration down form full to 1 notch lower ? Try that.

[zydonk]

What hardware acceleration? Graphics? What's your line of thinking?

Just an aside: what has always intrigued me about this prob (which I first noticed with ver2.2, btw) is the judder in the gameplay/render if the game gets going. I assumed some kind of lack of sync twixt audio and graphics, determined by the wonky audio setup. I usually quit and start again, so I don't know if the game fails over time.

[Buginator]

What hardware acceleration? Graphics? What's your line of thinking?

Just an aside: what has always intrigued me about this prob (which I first noticed with ver2.2, btw) is the judder in the gameplay/render if the game gets going. I assumed some kind of lack of sync twixt audio and graphics, determined by the wonky audio setup. I usually quit and start again, so I don't know if the game fails over time.

Oh sorry, that is only for XP, vista / win 7 don't have that for the sound settings.