Volume control doesn't work with "HDMI (Encoded Output)"

[sylvan]

Not sure if this is a bug, or something specific to me, so would like to check first.

Background:
Recently replaced basic stereo amplifier with surround sound receiver.
Mac Mini (2014, OS X 10.10) -> HDMI cable -> Pioneer Amp -> HDMI cable -> TV

Amplifier correctly detects stereo or 5.1/Dolby audio input from VLC.

Audio plays correctly over HDMI whether Audio Device is set to "HDMI" (stereo only) or "HDMI (Encoded Output)" (5.1/Dolby).

When VLC plays audio via built-in audio/headphones, or "HDMI", volume control menu item/keyboard shortcut correctly adjusts the volume up and down 5% (shown with the onscreen display), and the GUI volume slider can correctly control the audible volume level.

When output "HDMI (Encoded Output)" is selected, the volume level appears stuck to default/100%. The menu item/keyboard shifts the volume exclusively within a 10% range (eg. 95% or 105% ONLY), with no audible difference. The slider appears to have no effect. If the audio level is set to 0% while another Output Device is selected, and then I attempt to adjust volume while "HDMI (Encoded Output)" is selected, the audible audio level jumps to 100%, regardless of what the OSD or slider displays.

Troubleshooting:

Select Audio Device "HDMI":
- Can adjust volume in 5% increments with audible change
- Can adjust volume via GUI slider

Select Audio Device "HDMI (Encoded Output)":
- Attempt to adjust volume via menu/keyboard: OSD sticks at two levels within 10% of each other, centered on the last selected volume. Actual audio jumps to 100%.
- Attempt to adjust volume via slider: audio jumps to 100% and stays there.

Reset audio device (eg. "HDMI")
- Audio level returns to last selected, works as normal.

Current audio preferences:


I have tried enabling/disabling all of: Remember audio volume, S/PDIF, peak protection, time stretching with no change.

Unless "HDMI (Encoded Output)" is super-special in that VLC volume control shouldn't be allowed to adjust it, I think this may be a bug.

[dfuhrmann]

Hi,

This is expected: You cannot change the volume for encoded output, this is because of the way encoded output works technically. Well, it leaves the audio encoded - as is - so it cannot be changed in volume in between.

In On-screen display, you might still see a +/-5 %, but this is a visual glitch only. Volume itself is not adjusted.

[sylvan]

Thank-you for the confirmation. So I'll just use the amp to change volume going forward.

[gags730]

Try These Steps just suggestions...
VLC > Preferences
At the bottom left - Select 'ALL'
Go under Audio>Output Modules>MM Device

I have Dolby and Dolby Atmos and under my one I have these settings
Output Backend - Set to Windows Audio Session API Output
HDMI/SPIDIF Passthrough - Set Enabled (disabled shuts HDMI off)
Output Device - Beyond TV Dolby Atmos (Select Your correct device)
Audio Volume - Set at .23 (not sure of default)
------------------
Also in Windows Make sure you do not have the Sonic Headphones on turn it to OFF
With VLC... You can control some Dolby effects - the remap may be of interest to you

Maybe Try This?
Go Under Audio > Filters
Headphone Effect - You can select 'NO Decoding of Dolby Sound'

Audio > Filters > Remap
You can remap the output of each Audio Channel to the same speakers

LAST - Install an Older Version of VLC...
http://www.oldversion.com/windows/vlc-media-player/
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If u fixed it lets us know so we can learn from it Okay
THANKS and Good Luck

[gags730]

Some of the Dolby Stuff if it's real Dolby, like and has ATMOS it is Encoded and you can not raise the Sound from VLC.
This will only happen with certain files and certainly not with all movies if you download them. I have never run into the issue with music files ...Only movies with 5.1 or Atmos and generally the codec listed on VLC will be A/52 B aka e-AC3 or eac3

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

Maybe don't post 4 years late with advice for the wrong OS?