Streaming 5:1 Audio

[church1138]

Hey guys,


Having an issue where 5:1 audio doesn't seem to send down from my desktop to my Steam Deck?

I'm running a DENON receiver behind the docked Deck. Running content natively on Deck utilizes 5:1 appropriately, but when streaming content from my PC upstairs the audio sounds tinny, constrained, and only looks to be running on 2 of my speakers for some reason.

I can confirm that Steam Streaming Speakers are set to 5:1, the Deck has audio set to "External Device" and it sits at 5:1.

Here's what I was seeing in my Remote Play logs..

[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.219584] SynchronizeClientState(): setting capture size 1200x820
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.219764] SynchronizeClientState(): setting title to LariLauncher
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.219840] SynchronizeClientState(): setting icon 32x32
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.219929] SynchronizeClientState(): setting cursor to 65543
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.219977] SynchronizeClientState(): setting keymap
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.220030] SynchronizeClientState(): setting activity to k_EStreamActivityGame: Divinity: Original Sin 2
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.229100] Recording system audio
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.231791] Recording on device: Speakers (Realtek(R) Audio)
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.233329] Audio client mix format:
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.233367] format: 65534
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.233388] channels: 6
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.233412] samples/sec: 48000
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.233433] bytes/sec: 1152000
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.233454] alignment: 24
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.233474] bits/sample: 32
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.233494] channel mask: 0x3f
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.233519] data format: {00000003-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.234058] Initializing audio with 6 channels and 48000 samples/sec
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252583] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetQoS
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252627] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetTargetBitrate
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252652] CLIENT: Starting audio stream: frequency=48000, channels=2
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252675] CLIENT: Opened audio device: format=2, channels=2, frequency=48000
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252698] CLIENT: Initialized audio decoder: codec=3, sample rate=48000, channels=2
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252720] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlStartAudioData
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252742] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetSpectatorMode
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252765] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetCaptureSize
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252787] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetTitle
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252848] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetIcon
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252872] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetCursor
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252894] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetKeymap
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252916] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetActivity
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252978] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetCursorImage
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.284383] Audio mix: start=177601289, returned=0
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.284425] Audio source [System Windows]: init=0, adjustment=0, through=0, last_start=0, mixed=0, drop_before=0, drop_after=0
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.302073] >>> Switching video stream from NONE to Desktop_MovieStream
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.364319] CDesktopCaptureDWM: Reinitializing D3D for adapter 0xd893
[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.364365] Video adapter: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, vendor ID: 0x10de, device ID: 0x2786

Looking at audio, it seems like it wants to output 6 channels, but then looking at the client one up there...

[2024-06-01 16:08:03][143.252675] CLIENT: Opened audio device: format=2, channels=2, frequency=48000

It seems like it is still trying to use 2-channel audio?

I'm really at a loss here trying to figure this out. Would love to use my streaming setup more as I got this brand new Nvidia card and would love to take advantage of the desktop hardware but also enjoy surround actually sounding...good...and not terrible.

[_I_]

on the host pc, after you begin streaming, go to windows audio settings

if its using steam streaming speakers, config them to 5.1

[church1138]

I can confirm that Steam Streaming Speakers are set to 5:1.

Testing before / after shows the same settings.

[_I_]

is the client set to 5.1 also?
and tv/reciever

[church1138]

Yep yep. All is set correctly. Though I am noticing now that you've mentioned it, every time I go into launching a game remotely, I have to go redo all the Steam streaming settings on the speakers, like it isn't saving that config.

It still doesn't sound good though - like the audio is constrained/tinny. Even after adjusting the bitrate quality (which defaults to 16 bit/DVD quality).

[_I_]

what is the sound source?
sometimes chrome outputs stereo instead of 5.1

try vlc with a 5.1 audio file, or game with sound set to 5.1

[church1138]

Sound source? I mean the source would be Divinity 2 for example.

But it's not just that game, it's *any* game I stream from Steam has this issue where the audio becomes very strained and compressed and we see the logs up top.

[MrEPinky]

Hey, just want to chime in, you are not alone. I am trying to do exactly the same thing, streaming to my Deck on the official dock with Sony STRDN1080. Same symptoms, tinny and compressed stereo audio despite my settings on Steam Host and Deck Client. Google has turned up dead ends, this thread being the most relevant and recent. I tried Steam Link on my Apple TV and it allows 5.1 through on the same game (Red Dead Redemption 2), so I feel like it’s something going on with the Deck or the Dock. Audio is compressed stereo when playing undocked with or without headphones too, so I’m leaning towards it being a Deck Remote Play problem. Red Dead in-game Audio settings will let me select 5.1 on Apple TV, but only stereo on Deck.

[church1138]

My hero man. Glad I am not going crazy.

For reference, just to narrow it down, as I also don't have the official Dock either, I'm running one of the main ones on Amazon that everybody recommends.

So I would agree I think it's something to do with Remote Play Deck too.

@Valve, plz help!

[MrEPinky]

I found a temporary solution. I fired up Desktop Mode and installed Steam Link (suggested in another thread, can’t remember where I found it). I added it as a non-Steam game in the desktop version of Steam so I can see and launch it in Game Mode. For whatever reason, 5.1 works docked with the Steam Link app. Also, it seems to double up the Big Picture menu on your Deck and within the Steam Link app, which I haven’t found a solution to, but at least my sound is working in the meantime.

[church1138]

Hmmm - that's an idea. How did the quality sound? As expected? Video quality alright too?

[church1138]

Ah so the issue I'm seeing now is my controller is completely unresponsive whenever launching Link.

Though you can tell pretty much immediately that the surround is engaged which is awesome. Audio also sounds cleaner.

Definitely seems like there's a bug in how Game Mode is launching streamed games.

[ShroomRabbit]

asdf

[church1138]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to fire off an update here.

Remote Play audio is still an issue, however I think I've narrowed down that it's definitely something related to Deck audio transforming.

I've actually deployed the Moonlight / Sunshine combo (Sunshine running on remote machine, Moonlight on Deck) to tremendous success. The audio and video are crystal clear and the system actually functions as intended. Load into Big Picture mode from Moonlight, works pretty well.

In the exact same scenario, can fire up Remote Play and the issue persists.

Unclear what it is but this seems to be locked down to something in how Remote Play sets up the stream, as Moonlight works as intended.

[The Janitor]

Hi. I’m necroing the ♥♥♥♥ out of this post because you are awesome for posting. This was my EXACT situation, down to the issue you described with installing the steam link app and being unable to use my controller.

I used moonlight/sunshine and was successful as well, and the difference in sound was extremely noticeable. I starting feeling like something was off with sounds recently, and I’m so glad I found this post because you saved my sanity.

Did you ever report this directly to steam by any chance? I would like to and reference this thread if you haven’t. I’d really just prefer to use remote play, even if moonlight does work well. It’s a shame it’s not getting the audio right.

Do you happen to have any updates on your side, or have you just stuck with moonlight and never looked back?

Thanks again for the post.

[church1138]

I get it man. I'd also like to keep it stupid simple and use Remote Play - seems to still be broken. :/ But, thankfully, I mean Moonlight works *pretty* well. There's a couple of glitches where it's not as straightforward, but it mostly works alright. If also opens non-Steam support up a little easier too.

I haven't yet reported it to Steam - I was hoping this thread might pick up traction and see if it was an isolated incident or if other users reported the same problem. I can report it though.