Audio Cuts Out Every Few Seconds

[JDubeous]

I've searched all over and I've seen that others have run into similar issues, but was wondering if anyone had a fix.

Every time I start a game, the audio seems to cut out every few seconds. I've tried using the Steam Link while connected via Ethernet cord as well as Wireless on a 5GHZ network (when wireless the Steam Link is directly next to the router, so I know that's not the issue).

I saw that some people suggested reducing the resolution down to 720p. Tried that as well, didn't help at all.

I also know that it's not the host PC that is the problem. I installed Steam on my Macbook, and then used the in-home streaming option and that works flawlessly in all parts of my home.

I've even tried installing beta builds on the Steam Link, but this has fixed nothing. It almost seems like this is a waste of money at this point. The picture is fine, but the audio dropping out is quite annoying.

Anybody else going through this or have any ideas on what to do?

[quadpatch]

Wow this comment is really old. I am having the exact same problem and have tried the same things. Wireless or Ethernet and the image is fine but the audio drops out for a second every 5-10 seconds. I just went out to buy ethernet cables to run between my router and PC/Steam Link and it seems like that was a total waste because it hasn't stopped this issue at all :(.

[slouken]

Can you post a link to your Steam logs/streaming_log.txt? If you turn on the performance graph in the advanced streaming settings on the Steam Link, do you see any network hiccough (jump in the light blue line) corresponding to the audio dropouts?

What sound card and configuration do you have on your PC? What audio setup do you have the Steam Link plugged into?

Thanks!

[quadpatch]

Thanks for the help!
I will try the performance graph the next time I get a chance and report back. It probably sounds stupid, but I'm not sure how to share up the steam log. The sound is a Realtek on the motherboard, but does it use that at all if it's streaming the audio to the Steamlink. The Steamlink is plugged into my TV via HDMI and the TV then outputs digital Audio to a DAC via optical. I will take the DAC out of the equation and simply run the audio through the TV to see if that makes a difference.

[quadpatch]

OK, I just took the DAC out of the loop and the audio is fine. Hmm, this is odd because the optical out of the TV to the DAC works for a media PC and a PS4 just fine. It's a shame because I have no other way of having decent sound (that I can think of) because I don't have (or want) an AV tuner and the TV's sound quality is rubbish. I don't suppose you know of any setting that might make this work do you? I couldn't find anything logical in the menus.

[Riff-Raff]

What are your TV and DAC?

Is your steam link sending stereo or multi channel audio to the TV? How about the PC and PS4, are they configured for (linear) PCM or bitstream (Dolby Digital, DTS, etc)? And how many channels?

If steam link is sending multichannel audio the TV will have to reduce it into stereo before it is sent out the optical output since the bandwidth of it is not enough for multichannel PCM audio.

Can you try to force the steam link to send stereo audio (it is in the settings menu) and see how that behaves?

Do the TV or the DAC have any configuration options?

[Fredibru]

I have the same issue with my DAC, brand is SMSL q5. I forced stereo output but it made no difference.