Is it me or my HP?

February 21, 2006 8:08 AM

Movie Maker + HP Media Center + DVR=a mess.

I have an HP Media Center PC, and I'm trying to remove some files from a DVR and record them to my hard drive. I'm using Movie Maker's Capture tool, but I'm having sound issues. The PC I have has two audio jacks on the front, as well as an S-Video port. The video works fine; however, Movie Maker doesn't seem to recognize the audio jacks, as no sound is heard. Actually, the only time I get sound is when I use the microphone input jack on the pc, but then it is analog and extremely scratchy. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be thankful. Also, I will post more info as requested. Thanks!

posted by Todd Lokken to computers & internet (11 comments total)

Have you checked your audio properties to make sure the right audio input for recording is selected and not muted?
posted by evilcolonel at 9:20 AM on February 21, 2006

By "right" I mean correct, not "left/right".
posted by evilcolonel at 9:21 AM on February 21, 2006

Evil...I'll have to check. I'm actually starting to wonder if the jacks are not connected to the motherboard correctly, as they don't seem to be recognized anywhere.
posted by Todd Lokken at 9:48 AM on February 21, 2006

Double click on the volume icon (or start->all programs->accessories->entertainment->volume control)

Select 'options->properties' then pick "Recording" in the resulting dialog. Make sure that "line in" is checked, then hit OK. Now the volume sliders will change to the recording controls, make sure that "Line In" has "Select" checked (and you should probably un-check Microphone).
posted by SpookyFish at 11:32 AM on February 21, 2006

I have an HP, and after I installed a sound card to replace the onboard sound, the front audio jacks have done nothing. Is it possible you added a sound card, or there is a pre-installed soundcard that is overriding those front jacks?
posted by Rock Steady at 3:48 PM on February 21, 2006

ive got the same issue with my hp media center machine: no line-in sound (or video for that matter) through the front panel inputs... i'm tempted to try spookyfish's solution... but, as with all media center users, i'm afraid to tweak with a system that's working (what happens if i bust it and i can't record mythbusters tomorrow night?)... alas, i will wait and hope that todd gives us an update.
posted by RockyChrysler at 7:16 PM on February 21, 2006

I haven't tried spooky's solution yet, but I will. However, rock steady's post on the sound card is interesting. If anything, that gives me more info to try to get the HP cust svc dweebs to figure it out.
posted by Todd Lokken at 11:32 AM on February 23, 2006

Actually, this whole thing seems to be a disaster with HP. Spooky's suggestion unfortunately didn't do the trick, and the issue appears to be something HP is clueless about (I spent about 2 hours on the phone with them trying to figure it out). Additionally, I found a thread on the HP resource center where others are having the same issue. I'll still post the solution if I ever get one.
posted by Todd Lokken at 10:30 AM on February 25, 2006

Just an FYI...still no solution yet. HP has tried to give me every single excuse ("it's a virus", "it's the network", etc.). I am working my way up the ladder for support, and again, once I get a good answer, I will post it here.
posted by Todd Lokken at 10:59 AM on March 6, 2006

An update...I got a call from the "special services" desk at HP; after another couple of hours, they still have no clue. About the only thing they do have a clue about is how to say "no" when I insist I want to send it back or bring it in and have someone take a look at it, on their dime.
posted by Todd Lokken at 7:37 PM on April 25, 2006

Oh....and I've moved it up the ladder to the sr. vp of customer service.
posted by Todd Lokken at 7:37 PM on April 25, 2006