soundblaster --> AC3 over ONE s/p-dif?

OpusP.Gladiator · May 12, 2004, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Orestis
First of all, let me say I have a SB live! Platinum with the DTT2500 Digital, hooked up via the mini DIN and the livedrive's SPDIF out.

The thing about SPDIF, is that while it normally carries 2 channels, it can also carry multichannel info, if this info is encoded using a specific format (for example Dolby Digital). This info appears to be normal 2-channel data, but can be expanded (e.g. to 5.1), using an external amplifier.

The problem I (and probably others) are facing, is that, both Creative's drivers and the kx drivers don't allow for AC3 data to be passed to the SPDIF output, thus effectively disabling the external AC3 decoders. In my case, this means I'm stuck with the normal speaker outputs, which means 4.1 audio at best.

I think the SPDIF passthrough on 10k1 cards should receive a bit higher priority.

Yep....like I said over in the audigy drivers forum... been waiting for some way to see this enabled...!!!!

anyone?????????????

**dj_stick** · May 12, 2004, 12:04 PM

it is possible to bypas the card, connect the ac3 source directly to the amplifier (requires soldering an RCA connector)

wimms · May 12, 2004, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dj_stick
there IS an AC-3 DSP plugin, but im not sure how well it works

Well, I might be too new to Kx, but imo it won't. I'm not sure how to configure dsp right though.

Quote:

as for a major problem - not really - considering the main aim for this project, ASIO and music stuff…

This argument raises quite some amusement with me, considering that authors have gone to such trouble as to write AC3 decoder. More like authors don't happen to own ac3 amp and thus can't care less.
I'd really hate to have to go back to creative drivers just to occasionally watch 5.1 dvds from my pc. So, you see, 10k1 users have a dilemma: either benefits of Kx, or ability to use ac3 amp, but not both. Major problem is mere existence of such needless dilemma. Hopefully not for long.

**dj_stick** · May 12, 2004, 09:32 PM

there is a workaround, though, bypassing the card entirely… requires a little electrical skill

JasonMoodie · May 12, 2004, 10:12 PM

Ewwwwww, If you only need the AC3 Decoder Bypass use the MS Driver. Has been working well for sometime for me now. If you have to go modifying the card, you may as well go and buy a new one.

wimms · May 13, 2004, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dj_stick
there is a workaround, though, bypassing the card entirely… requires a little electrical skill

I have skill, but I don't get you at all. Can you elaborate? What is the ac3 source you mean?

**dj_stick** · May 13, 2004, 12:40 PM

DVD player is the AC-3 source
you use the cable from the digital port, connect that to an RCA socket - signal line (red) goes to the center of the socket, and the ground (black) goes to the sheild of the socket
and if your amp is optical only, attach a super bright red LED and place that straight in the optical port of the amp

wimms · May 13, 2004, 06:10 PM

Oh, thats what you mean. Yes, that might work for DVDs, but not for ac3 file sources.

**dj_stick** · May 14, 2004, 01:13 PM

good point there… unless you have an nfroce 2 system with soundstorm…

tji · May 20, 2004, 04:29 AM

I'm a newbie to the kX driver.. I have a SB Live card, and I'm looking for more reliable AC3 pass through for my HDTV tuner cards and DVDs. I have used the Creative drivers to do this, but I get audio dropouts when using SPDIF pass through from my "MyHD" receiver card.

Is there any way to do this with the kX drivers? If not, is this on the roadmap?

**dj_stick** · May 20, 2004, 07:21 AM

kX on sb live! currently does not support ac-3 passthrough

OpusP.Gladiator · May 20, 2004, 04:44 PM

Well cool finally have my audigy2 Platinum with the newer drvrs/sftwre working flawlessly with winDVD Platinum... I pass dts thru the optical to my Home receiver which recognizes the source and then uses it's own decoders to reproduce 5.1 I think DTS has much better channel separation than Dolby anyways! Herre's to Enjoying Full surround sound from my computer for my home theatre! Am patiently awaiting Intels new high-def audio chipsets 4 comparison

--

voxtreet · Aug 2, 2004, 05:34 PM

I have a SB Live! 5.1 Platinum, and have just downloaded kx for the first time. I'm disappointed to hear that AC-3 passthrough is not supported at this time. HOW CAN I HELP??? I would like to see this feature as soon as possible, as I am doing lots of experiments programming apps for the sound card right now!

I'm a programmer, and I'd like to help. Are any of the source files available? Will I be able to do something through the API SDK?

daPyr0x · Aug 3, 2004, 02:53 AM

passthrough will work on an audigy or an audigy2, just not the live cards (yet)
why....is a mystery to me...

psychok9 · May 31, 2006, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

kX on sb live! currently does not support ac-3 passthrough

Only with creative driver i can use passthrough?

**dj_stick** · May 31, 2006, 07:25 AM

unfortunately, yes

May 20, 2004, 04:44 PM	#42
OpusP.Gladiator '42' Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Oregon!!! Posts: 300 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	ac3-dts, pass-thru Well cool finally have my audigy2 Platinum with the newer drvrs/sftwre working flawlessly with winDVD Platinum... I pass dts thru the optical to my Home receiver which recognizes the source and then uses it's own decoders to reproduce 5.1 I think DTS has much better channel separation than Dolby anyways! Herre's to Enjoying Full surround sound from my computer for my home theatre! Am patiently awaiting Intels new high-def audio chipsets 4 comparison -- __________________ http://img52.exs.cx/img52/7799/opus.jpg AMD X2-3800 (Manchester), Oc'd to 2.25 on stock cooler! DFI Lanparty-UT-SLI-D mobo, OCZ Platinum pc3200xtc @ 2.3.2.5.1T, MSI 7800gt @440/1100, Soundblaster X-Fi Fatal1ty, 2 wd 36g raptors, 1 maxtor 250g eide, Coolermaster case with Handle Logitech g15, 20.1" Sceptre LCD, Antec neo2 500w PS"

May 12, 2004, 10:12 PM	#35
JasonMoodie DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Ewwwwww, If you only need the AC3 Decoder Bypass use the MS Driver. Has been working well for sometime for me now. If you have to go modifying the card, you may as well go and buy a new one.

May 13, 2004, 06:10 PM	#38
wimms DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Oh, thats what you mean. Yes, that might work for DVDs, but not for ac3 file sources.

May 20, 2004, 04:29 AM	#40
tji DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	I'm a newbie to the kX driver.. I have a SB Live card, and I'm looking for more reliable AC3 pass through for my HDTV tuner cards and DVDs. I have used the Creative drivers to do this, but I get audio dropouts when using SPDIF pass through from my "MyHD" receiver card. Is there any way to do this with the kX drivers? If not, is this on the roadmap?

Aug 2, 2004, 05:34 PM	#43
voxtreet DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	I have a SB Live! 5.1 Platinum, and have just downloaded kx for the first time. I'm disappointed to hear that AC-3 passthrough is not supported at this time. HOW CAN I HELP??? I would like to see this feature as soon as possible, as I am doing lots of experiments programming apps for the sound card right now! I'm a programmer, and I'd like to help. Are any of the source files available? Will I be able to do something through the API SDK?

Aug 3, 2004, 02:53 AM	#44
daPyr0x DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0	passthrough will work on an audigy or an audigy2, just not the live cards (yet) why....is a mystery to me...