HI, What is your speaker system? Is it the Dell 5650 5.1 Surround Sound? That is what I have. Dell Dimension 8300 and Soundblaster Live! with 5.1 Support aslo.

Just got it on 2-12-2004.  I have very little sound from the center panel. You would need to hold it to your ear to even tell it was working at all over the other speakers!!  I have posted also but no reponse so far.  I hope someone can offer some help for us!!

Ern

Hi Ern,

Exactly same config! Then we at least know that there are at least two with the same problem. I will try to report it as an error to Dell tomorrow. I'll keep you posted on progress

Regards

Pedro

Check the software you're using to play DVD's to see if it has speaker/audio settings you can set.

Hi Pedro,

 I was listening to CDs and Mp3s and had no center sound. I have been told I need something recorded in surround sound or I will get no sound from the center speakers.  I don't have anything in suround sound so I can't verify this is true. But, that is what I have been told.   Hope this helps.

Ern

Hi,

I played a DVD with Surround so it should have sound for the center speaker. Yepp, I tried to adjust it in settings Dell Media Experience where you can select 6 speakers or less (with less you got stereo) and that the listening is within 4 feet.

Regards

Pedro

I beleive I am having the same problem as y'all.  I called Dell Technical Support, and they claimed to know nothing about it.  I have a Dimension 8300 with SBLive! 5.1 and Altec Lansing speakers.

The problems seems to vary with the type of audio recorded on the DVD.  For instance, a primitive Scooby-Doo CD plays ONLY through the center speakers, and very faintly at that.  A more complex DVD like Disney's Tarzan, plays through all of the speakers, but some of the voice tracks are so faint they are overwhelmed by the music.  This happens with Windows Media Player and with Dell Media Experience.

Any answers, Dell?

I talked to Dell and they will replace the speakers (including frontpanel). I'm not sure it will solve the problem but it is a starting point at least. Funny thing is when I fiddled around with the Power DVD and configuration/audio (yes I found some tools to adjust levels) and changed it to 4 speakers then the center voice came from right and left speakers. It still does when changing back! BUT then I lost the rear speakers for a couple of minutes (it gradually came back)

Status now is that you can hear the speech if you use "Audio Channel Expander" CLMEI movie mode. If you change the levels under advanced to raise the center speaker then you end up with a very low level in general. Disconnect all speaker except center will result in some whisper in center

I feel that I have a four speaker system and not a five...

Regards

Pedro

Thanks - I did something similar - changed the speaker configuration to "Desktop Stereo", but I agree with you - that's a cheesy workaround.  The soundcard and speakers are no longer providing surround sound.

I have a support incident open with Dell.  Maybe it will turn out to be a problem with the speakers.

Here's the solution, if you haven't worked it out already. Click on Start, then All Programs, go to the Creative Labs tab, then on the Creative Labs pull down menu - click on Mixer. (I'm doing this from memory so bear with me). When the mixer is displayed, click on the Subwoofer/Center Speaker button to display two volume levels, one for the sub and one for the center speaker. The center speaker level needs to be set about 3/4 of the way up before you'll hear sound from the center speaker. I think the default is half way and will result in the symptoms you describe. It must've taken me about 6 hours cumulative with Dell Tech Support before I found the solution. Simple really, frustratingly simple. I looked at the mixer before a number of times but would've expected a little more sound at the 50% setting.
Hopefully Dell has now added this "fix" to their list of solutions.

Thanx 0_F

I have missed that one. No one at Dellsupport, at least them I spoke to, knew this.

Best'

Pedro