audio books skipping when using optical cable

Okay, I've had windows 7 problems a plenty over the past 3 months. I recently fixed all of them when I started windows with a clean boot using only windows processes at start.

Here is the problem: When I use an optical/digital cable connected from my PC to my RCA (brand) receiver it skips/mutes like crazy when I play audio books, however all music sounds excellent. The media on the HDD and actual audio books on CD will skip, but other CD's and actual music plays perfectly. The skipping/muted audio lasts for roughly 2 seconds and then it starts again, the playback doesn't not stop during this period of interruption. Using a 3.5mm to rca connection works perfectly without any distortion, but I would like the extra quality and the free RCA jack for my other devices.

Methods I've tried to fix the issue:

Deleting the driver and having windows install it again.

Changing the effects option to not include any in the playback via properties in Realtec.

Updating realtec drivers with the latest version from my motherboard manufacturer.

Deleting the realtec driver and reinstalling from my motherboards released update.

Using a different optical/digital cable. (same brand and bought at the same time).

So far none of these have fixed the issue. Is there by chance a particular program that plays optical audio better than another? (I
m using windows media player right now) The cable works perfectly because I get perfect signal from my xbox360 which is hooked up to the same receiver as my computer. On the 360 the book on CD's play flawlessly.

Computer specs are from the computer I am using, let me know if there is any more information you need to help diagnose this problem.

 

Okay, so a little more information. I can play the BoCD (book on CD) without issue when I have music playing as well as the BoCD. Right now I have pandora on in the background while playing the BoCD and it works perfectly, as soon as I turn the music off/mute it the audio stop playing smoothly and starts skipping...

 

Would Codecs be a problem? Neil.

 

Worth a try, I didn't think of that. I'll report back after I find some.

[edit 1] (first place I looked was download.cnet.com) I found windows media player codec pack. I downloaded and installed (minus all of the spyware toolbar and additional stuff I wouldn't need) and still does not work. I'll look around and see if there is an official codec pack from windows, but when I looked before (when I first saw this post on my phone) I didn't see a recent release. It's update period was back on 2004.

[edit 2] Downloaded a new media player (winamp) and it didn't play the CD any better.

 

Okay...so I think I figured out what the problem is...or maybe just more specific problem.

What happens: Audio plays perfectly when the audio is initiated and playing, but when there is a pause, the information does not start being transmitted/received for another second after it starts, thus creating the skipping of audio, and why the music in the background helps because there is always an audio source to keep the channel open... but I still have no idea how to fix it...or what is causing the problem.

 

last night I found a band-aid...set the effects to forest (slight echo) and after that, spoken words do not cause audio to pause...I guess that is a good fix for now...but if anyone has information on how to fix this issue or a person I could ask, please let me know.