"go create" music... without Stereo Mix...

[VINEEVAIO]

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 - they are earning themselves a reputation on the Internet which no brand can afford! :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. :smileyliar: 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.

[Blencogo]

Sony have disabled Stereo Mix on ALL Vaios running Vista. This is for all soundcards not just Realtek.

It used to work on older models running XP and I am sure you are right about it being an anti-piracy measure. Sony will not discuss it.

We get many posts about this. There is no fix apart from an external soundcard.

[phenriot]

well, I just discovered this product flaw in my VGN-AR51SU.

it is extremely annoying and turns the slogan "go create" into ridicule.


I would like Sony to either fix the Problem or take my Notebook back with full reimbursement, in accordance with European Law on hidden flaws in products, which extends forever, even after expiry of warranty.

I paid a lot of EUR to have a Notebook with all bells and whistles and even Vista Ultimate, but it seems I still have to suffer from some idiots' decisions.

I would like to know where (postal address please) I can make my claim and get my money back.

Is Sony still in Japanese hands?
Do they still have a sense of honor?


The least they could do is to publish in the product specs a list of all features that people were used to have that won't work on a Sony.