topic Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems? in PCs & Accessories

Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

Nickblaster — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:19:40 GMT

Hi and excuse my english for not bein so perfect!

I've recently upgraded to Vista (from Sony express upgrade DVDs) and I cannot find "stereo-mix" recording device in the audio panel (with XP was OK) even if I show all recording devices (disabled and deactivated). The only source I can see is the microphone.
I've tried also to install the latest realtek high definition drivers (R.1.67) from realtek site but nothing changed.

I've contacted also the Realtek support that replies to me:

"I'm sorry . This is Sony requirement to turn off "Stereo Mix" item . Our HD Audio driver has supported "Stereo Mix" for recording ( Except ALC861 and ALC660 ) . Because Sony need to turn off it , so we do it . There are many more customization programming for many more machine . Your computer do not support it by Sony requirement . This is not our driver issue . Please try to contact Sony to confirm it ."

Can anyone confirm me that all Sony notebooks with Vista doesn't have a "stereo-mix" device?
I cannot understand such a strange requirement from Sony.

Any help will be very appreciated. I bought this notebook to record my singing performances (I'm studing to be a crooner )
Bye
Nick

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

rich912 — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:20:56 GMT

Hi Nick,

I can confirm that on my machine (Vista pre-installed) the only sound recording device is microphone.

I have no idea why this is the case but would suspect that there is a conflict between stereo-mix and other another Sony driver. I think your best bet is to open a case with support and ask why it is disabled.

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

Nickblaster — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 09:23:41 GMT

Thanks a lot for your help.
I'm a musician and I can't live without my stereo-mix device!
I'm going right now to the nearest Vaio shop to verify on each exposed notebook 🙂

I hope an external USB sound-card can solve the problem. Otherwise I think I will create a new XP partition, 'cause with XP the recordings were ok.

Anyway I've opened a e-support case and I'm waiting for an anwer.

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

Nickblaster — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:50:11 GMT

As promised...I went to the nearest computers shop.

All the Vaio with Vista installed has no stereo-mix!!!
That's really incredible and make me very pissed off!!.
Realtek was right.

All the other brands notebooks, also with the Realtek soundcard, has the stereo-mix device (I've checked toshiba, acer and packard bell).

I'm really angry for this problem.
It seems that Vaio is the only PC on earth that can't do a simple ware recording.
My 8 years old Asus can.

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

markpriestley — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:52:08 GMT

I'm really angry for this problem.

Angry? I'm apoplectic. I'm also a musician. All my gear was stolen. The insurance company could only provide me with a Vista VAIO as replacement to the same spec as my old machine (which worked fine with Vista and I was fairly happy (apart from only having two USB ports instead of four). Then... after accepting the machine and setting it up I discover that the sound card is disabled. It's outrageous and renders my computer completely useless for the main purposes I use it for. I have no money to replace it, I've spent hours upgrading every driver and option I can think of, and I'm really angry about it. What a complete waste of time and money! Is there any news on whether this situation might change?

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

Nickblaster — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 14:23:15 GMT

With XP everything works fine.
I have created a new partition on the HD and now I can do a dual booting, so when I use my vaio to sing (and record) I boot on XP.
I finally think that it's the only solution.

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

markpriestley — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:18:18 GMT

but that's a crazy solution, we all paid good money to upgrade to Vista and VAIO. Finding out that I can't control even the most basic functions for my audio recording was a huge shock (yes, I'm a musician too). Basically the machine is useless for my main purposes and every other manufacturer I have tested, since I discovered the problem, has control over the sound card enabled in Vista. I guess I made the wrong decision buying Sony! Let's hope there is a fix somewhere.

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

markpriestley — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:10:08 GMT

Well, so it really is the case that Sony disabled the sound card. The response I received from my spport case being as follows:

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Dear Mr Priestley,

We just got a response from our head engineers.

The Stereo Mix is not available as a recording source on VAIO computers pre-installed with Windows Vista. This is by design as part of an intentional design by Windows Vista.

I am very sorry that we cannot help you any further with this request.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

now... I have to say that is not strictly true. My previous Vista pre-installed laptop (an Acer) worked absolutely fine, and every other make of Vista pre-installed latop I have now tested also has this functionality. It is indeed an intentional design in Vista to mask the sound card by creating it as a 'hidden' audio device in the sound control module but it is only Sony that has apparently disabled it completely, rendering most professional and hobby music prodcution sofware unusable.

It would be a great help if Sony could visibly advertise the fact that its Viao computers are not suitable for anyone using musical-composition/auid-production software. It may also be helpful for the musician community to spread this message as widely as possible. This would save a lot of trouble and allow potential customers to buy from other manufacturers rather than wasting their money. Unfortunately I'll have to cut my losses and go back to Acer.

If anyone wants to buy a nice shiny Vaio VGN-N31Z (brand new in August) then unfortunately I have to sell this one!

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

roblishm — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:10:28 GMT

This is driving me nuts too. (Just like they disabled the Windows Sidebar in favour of the Google one!) . After sending several hours trying to hunt down a "workaround" I found this ....

Has anyone tried the method they have been using over at Dell & LG?

(I haven't tried it yet but it MAY work - don't blame me if it makes things worse! )

They downloaded the XP Sigma Tel driver High Definition Audio Codec ... then ran the installation program in "Windows XP (servic Pack 2) mode"

If anyone is brave enough to try this and it works, please let us know ...

Cheers

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

roblishm — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:42:58 GMT

... don't bother ... it doesn't work... I just tried it

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

roblishm — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:22:55 GMT

How fitting is THIS

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

laptopnovice — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:05:26 GMT

I presume you all mean that the microphone in question is the one that is alongside the "motion eye" webcam facility that is in most VAIO these days?
I too have the problem described and used to happily record the occaisional online radio station using some suitable audio recording software. Now I find out that it is not possible at all and not my missing something.
Is it not possible to install a secondary audio driver that we could switch on when we didn't want to use the webcam?

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

VINEEVAIO — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:44:26 GMT

The "stereo mix" function does not work on my Realtek HD AUDIO sound card .

Before someone points out that you can enable stereo mix through a driver update or by changing settings, note that there is an additional issue with Sony laptops where none of this is possible. Please read on.

I have a VAIO VGN-NS10J/S . After much persistence, Sony confirmed -- albeit in a round about way -- that the limitation applies to all VAIOs (read the emails below for their own words).

I have contacted both Sony and Realtek, in an attempt to enable the function or atleast understand why the function cannot be enabled.

I first contacted Realtek who were cordial and straightforward with their answers. I was referred to Sony who were unhelpful and uncooperative! :smileyliar:

In chronological order (my questions have been omitted for conciseness, but they should be obvious...):

pctech@realtek.com
Dear Sir,
We need more information to solve your problem. Please provide system information (motherboard, or notebook type model etc.), Realtek codec name (ALC xxx)
Best regards,
PC-tech
pctech@realtek.com
Dear Sir,
All of Sony notebook models disable the stereo mix function. It is our customer's (Sony) request. We must follow their spec.
We recommed you contact Sony for detail answers.
Best regards,
PC-Tech
pctech@realtek.com
Dear Sir,
The Stereo Mix function is disabled by driver.
We don't know why Sony doesn't need Stereo Mix function. We just do they want.
Best regards,
PC-Tech
pctech@realtek.com
Dear Sir,
Yes, we do have driver for general models.
But we recommend users use custom driver for special models since we do a lot of customizations.
We can not guarantee there is no side effects to install general driver on Sony models.
Best regards,
PC-Tech

customersupport.en@vaio-link.com
Dear Sir / Madam,
We would have been happy to assist with any issues you were having with the vaio if you have difficulties / compatibility issues with Windows Vista we do have certain business models with an option to downgrade to Windows XP.
Regards
Ger
Sony Vaio link support
customersupport.en@vaio-link.com
Thank you for contacting us.
We do not support Third party software like Cool Edit.
With that sound card you can only output once.
You will need to purchase an external sound card to use as the second output.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to update your case. If you would prefer an e-Support agent to contact you by telephone, please update your case with your preferred contact number and a suitable timeframe between the hours of 8:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday.
Regards,
Dave
Sony Vaio-Link Team
customersupport.en@vaio-link.com
Thank you for contacting us.
The reason for this is that the mixer is disabled on all OEM Vista system by Microsoft. Regarding Windows XP please note that we can support only OEM preinstalled operating system.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reply to this email.
Regards,
Maggie
Sony Vaio-Link Team
customersupport.en@vaio-link.com
Thank you for your reply.
Unfortunately there is no firmware update for the sound card to enable mixer. This function has been disabled on all OEM operating system. Unfortunately, we cannot give you any other satisfactory response.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reply to this email.
Regards,
Maggie
Sony Vaio-Link Team

In conclusion:
Sony asked Realtek to disable the stereo-mix function on their sound cards. Realtek did as they were asked. Sony, rather than admitting this, blame the Vista OEM they preinstalled for you. They are then careful to point out that should you install any other operating system (e.g. a non-OEM copy of Vista, XP or Linux), and still be unsuccessful with the stereo-mix function, then they will no longer provide support. How convenient for them!

Speculations:
There are rumours going around that the RIAA has been pressuring the computer industry to do more to stop the illegal reproduction of copyrighted music and video. Sony with their Sony Music Entertainment has more invested interest in this action :smileymoney_eyes: than most, and it perhaps explains why they have taken the disabling of "stereo-mix" a step further than everyone else and made it impossible to recover. The Sony VAIO laptop is advertised as the solution to all my multimedia needs and by the slogan "go create" [sic].

Solutions:
To date (March 2009) there are no good solutions if you own a Sony VAIO. I have researched this extensively. Realtek, who manufacture microchips and soundcards around them, have suggested that since their HDAUDIO chips are also used by other brands, the problem could be solved at the driver level. Perhaps if people continue to make noise someone will listen. Other solutions are buying an external soundcard and risking the same thing or paying for a program called "virtual audio cable", which does not fix the problem but works around it in a rudimentary way. Feeding the signal directly from the Audio output to the Microphone input might be useful, but depending on how the electronics are designed you risk damaging the hardware.

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

Link6590 — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:03:15 GMT

I hope this doesn't count as reviving the dead beaten horse but the above poster mentioned external sound cards as an alternative, but I'm pretty clueless of what to look for. Like what type of brand, important features. Anyone have any recommendations for quality sound cards that won't empty my wallet? (I'm still confused why Sony, even with their money interests, took a step back, into a pit of needles, with this one.)

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

phenriot — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:29:58 GMT

You have to remember that Sony is also a major music publisher/producer.

Sony doesn't want you to record any music.
It is as simple as that.

Sony was also the company which has put malware rootkits on their audio cds in order to cripple people's computers.

The absence of the sound mixer is just another evil feat.
I wish someone with enough energy and money would go to court to have a judge to force them to prominently display on the packages all the standard functions that their products cannot perform. The european court could be a good choice for that.

Packages would could like this:
- "insert this disk and forget about ever burning DVDs or CDs again!"
- "Blu-Ray reader included! Impossible to display on anything except a HDMI v.2 certified TV!"
- "Sounds on this laptop can't be recorded!"

To the people who decided that: please just die.

Once countries like China, Thailand, Russia etc. will start to make good Notebooks without western help, then you can tell byebye to all your nerfed junk.

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

phenriot — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:38:41 GMT

needless to say, I got the same problem.

Now I deleted the fake driver delivered by sony and try to install a generic one by realtek.

I'll post the results.

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

phenriot — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:52:30 GMT

ok, that didn't work.

I installed the generic driver, but somehow still now joy.

When I restarted the comp, it installed a driver... but I installed it before, so this looked strange, as if it had "undone" my driver installation and reinstalled the fake driver.

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

phenriot — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:53:21 GMT

I'll now try to install the older AC97 drivers on vista...

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

phenriot — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:52:50 GMT

installing the AC97 drivers made strictly no difference at all.

I wonder even if they got installed.
I got about 40 red warnings that vista didn't like the drivers, and after a reboot, everything worked like before again.

There is just one difference with the previous state: the problem with the sound not being loud enough on the laptop is solved. If I turn the sound on now, it is really deafening.

So, one small problem solved after all.

I notice that instead of a sound card, the hardware manager now displays an
"Intel 82801HBM ICH8M - High Definition Audio Bus Controller"

I will try to fiddle with that a little, and see if I can't use an XP driver for that.
Maybe they have hidden the malware in the bus controller.

Re: Stereo Mix device turned off on Vista+Vaio systems?

tjjbergh — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:57:14 GMT

Until now I was pretty pleased with my new sony vaio, but this stupid "little-problem-turning-into-a-disaster" has pretty much spoiled all the fun.

As has been said by others I use my laptop for creating and producing my own music, so a "what you hear" function comes in handy...

Sony, thank you very much for NOT choosing you again from now on...