Docs | ELNS Audio Tool

Windows provides multiple sound systems supported by ELNS. The following list gives the order of preference.

Windows Audio Session API, is a part of Windows Core Audio, the current and recommended audio system in Windows. It provides a standard, low-latency, sharable audio interface.

WASAPI does not includes a sample rate converter (SRC). This assures the best audio quality, however it will be necessary to set the number of channels and samplerate of the sound device to match the input source. See how to set it here.

See the Wikipedia article WASAPI for more information.

Windows Driver Model Kernel Streaming interface is the lowest-level audio system used in Windows. It priovides exclusive access to the sound device with very low latency. The number of audio channels is dynamic. No Windows configuration to set the the number of audio channels will be necessary.

The Microsoft document introduction to WDM Audio Drivers provides more information.

is a deprecated DirectX library for audio dating back to Windows 95 and Windows XP, yet still supported on Windows 10.

This sound system offers the greatest compatibility with any audio hardware. It will automatically resample if the rate mismatches the configuration (at the expense of some quality) and it will up- or downmix the audio if the number of channels doesn't match the device configuration.

See Wikipedia article about DirectSound for more information.

Multimedia extensions is a legacy audio system in, which has existed since Windows 3.0

When using multi-channel output over HDMI, Windows assigns specific channel number to specific speakers.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
L	R	C	LFE	SBL	SBR	SL	SR
Left	Right	Center	Low-frequency effects	Surround Back Left	Surround Back Right	Surround Left	Surround Right

Windows supports up to 8 channel audio (7.1) over HDMI. To be able to use ELNS fully, the HDMI output must be configured.

Open Settings -> Sound -> Sound Control Panel. The Sound Control Panel is located under Related settings menu either to the right or at the bottom of the page.

In the sound control panel, select the Playback pane. It will show the list of playback audio devices connected. Select the HDMI device and select Configure.

A wizard for configuring the HDMI device opens. Please select the 7.1 Surround configuration and press Next. Under the Customize your configuration page, check all speakers and press Next. Select all speakers as full-range and press Next and then Finish.

It is generally better to allow the AVR do the downmixing and bass management. Setup the HDMI with 7.1 even if you don't have a 7.1 setup or full-range speakers.

For configure higher quality audio over HDMI, please press Properties in the Sound control panel and open the Advanced pane. It it adviced to set a 24-bitformat at either 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz. The choice between 44100 and 48000 depends on if the main usage is music or movies respectively.

Some Windows 10 installations comes with sound enhancement components. To disable these, open the Enhancements pane of the sound properties. Check the Disable all enhancements box.

Windows audio

This page explains the available sound systems on Windows and how to set up Windows 10 for multi-channel output on HDMI.

Sound systems

Channel assignments

HDMI configuration

1. Open legacy sound control panel

2. Configure the sound device

Setting HDMI format and rate (optional)

Disable enhancements (optional)