Scratchy audio issue

[Punch]

Bit of an odd issue that I haven't been able to figure out.

Recent computer build. Win 10 pro. AMD R7 7800X, AMD RX 7900. Bunch of other letters to go with those; less important.

Audio works, but here's the problem: I can load any audio file, and as long as I don't touch anything, it'll play just fine.

If I change Windows' focus to any other window while audio is playing, audio immediately becomes scratchy and hard to listen to. I can pause the music for a brief second and that'll fix the playback, but changing window focus causes the problem all over again.

I followed the recommended steps for high end/multi thread procs. I've messed with just about every setting I have access to, and none of it has changed this behavior in any way. I've rolled back to versions 3.0.17.4, 3.0.6, and all the way back to 2.2.8 just for kicks. None of this changes the behavior.

I'd guess VLC is getting ahead of the caching (since briefly pausing puts the audio back in sync), but I've set the ms values for disc caching in excess of 6k and it hasn't mattered.

Any help at this point would be welcome.

[Lotesdelere]

Try another audio output module:
http://wiki.videolan.org/WindowsFAQ-2.0 ... _anomalies
Don't forget to save and restart VLC after changes.

And check your computer latency:
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/ar ... cy-issues/

[Punch]

Try another audio output module:
http://wiki.videolan.org/WindowsFAQ-2.0 ... _anomalies
Don't forget to save and restart VLC after changes.

And check your computer latency:
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/ar ... cy-issues/

Thank you for the suggestions.

I have tried every module I have access to, with complete program shutdown before any testing. They all have this same problem.

I'll check on latency, and get back to you.

[Punch]

Alright, can probably close this one, looks like a hardware issue.

If I'm running VLC through speakers, it doesn't have this problem. (Things I couldn't test at 2am with kids sleeping.) This is only reproduceable with my headphones which...

Is obnoxious, but not what this forum is for.

[Punch]

Well, we're still here.

There is no latency issue on my PC.

I have updated every driver in the system to be current.

I will be replacing the cable for my headphones in the near future, in case that's the issue.

VLC playback quality still takes a dive when it is not the active window, and no setting changes this behavior in any way.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

VLC doesn't care if it has focus or not. It will not "take a dive" of its own. This can be a latency problem as Lotesdelere pointed out or otherwise the system restricting VLC resources.

As this is a problem outside VLC proper, this forum is probably not the right place to get help.