5.1 and S/PDIF

pousspouss · Mar 12, 2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

what do you want to do the decoding? your soundcard? or another device? your post was a little confusing

most mid to high end consumer cards i've seen have passthrough and decoding, even a soundblaster live! will decode ac3, and output it to 5.1 analogue.

What sound card are you using? and again, your post is a little confusing

I use an E-MU 0404 but i know it's not compatible with the Kx drivers.
When you said most of the cards have passthrough, i answer you Yes for the SPDIF output, but i'm not really sure for the input. And it's precisely that thing i need in order to decode the digital flow with a software.
So, i'm looking for an audio card which is compatible with Kx drivers and always marketed because most of the models Kx give are not marketed anymore.

**dj_stick** · Mar 12, 2007, 11:31 AM

ahhh the 0404 is not a consumer card, so won't have any consumer audio features like dolby digital decoding

T3hn0 · Jul 15, 2008, 06:02 PM

hi there...i'm gonna borrow this thread a bit

i recently bought logitech z-5500. i tried the boundled cables, and then i figured that spdif has better quality. so i tried the coax spdif....i was like

nice sound

but then when i started to play a bit with the settings, i found out that my mobo doesn't support dts/dd encoding aswell (maximus formula)... so i started to explore around the web and search for some anwers...

i knew i have to buy new sound card, but all threads are old...and i'm a bit confused what-to-buy

i wanna buy something new, not too cheap because i intend to use it later on too...i think that it should be for pcie x1 socket (perhaps x4 too if i can connect it on the other pci-e x16 for crossfire), and it definatelly has to be able to encode dts/dd.

i so far managed to found:
- Auzen X-Plosion
- Auzen X-Fi Prelude

but they both require pci (not pcie), and i don't know if they're good...i found some critics about X-Plosion, and i don't know if Prelude is really worth of its money...

could you recommend me good soundcard?

**dj_stick** · Jul 15, 2008, 10:53 PM

the converters in the Auzentech cards are much better than those in your speakers - so if you get one of those cards, just use the analogue connections (you're wasting your money on high quality analogue cards if you get one and just use the spdif)

T3hn0 · Jul 16, 2008, 09:04 AM

aha...so actaully you recommend me classic jacks instead of spdif...

then i should buy better cables too. better shielded perhaps?

or should i buy cheapper one...some people recommends me to buy Club 3D Theatron DTS Agrippa 7.1 PCI instead, and connect it via optical spdif

**dj_stick** · Jul 17, 2008, 01:40 AM

yes, with a decent soundcard and decent cables you will ALWAYS get better quality over analogue than Dolby Digital (Dolby Digital digital is a compressed codec, like MP3, and allows only 3 full range channels, the rear channels are limited from 10hz to 7khz, and the LFE channel is anything below 80-150hz [depending on the encoding])

Person51 · Jul 23, 2008, 08:19 PM

I'm still getting no luck with DD processing, even using the new driver(s) from CL and PAX.

Simple setup, have a Comcast HD box, trying to run TOSLINK OUT - and IN on the X-Fi front panel.

Have jacked with all the settings, un-installed / restart clean everytime.
No luck.

I DO get audio using standard composite cables, but that's not why I bought the damn card in the first place.

Are the newer drivers still not able to decode on the OPTICAL IN ?

T3hn0 · Jul 28, 2008, 08:28 AM

i bought club3d theatron 7.1 that i said...but i had problems (i guess it's because of Vista pro x64)...but my friend bought it from me

so now i'm looking for new sound card again...i was looking @
- razer barracuda ac-1 (which i don't really like, mainly because of its connector for jacks)
- creative x-fi titanium fatal1ty pro (i'm not really sure if it's capable to encode dd/dts on the fly for spdif)
- auzen cards are not availible in slovenia

then i was searching a bit for better quality cable (if i would connect the speakers throu analog connection), and i didn't found anything ^^
is it worh if i would buy cable and connectors (seperatelly) and i would "make" the cable?

** edit:
i was looking @ club3d theatron and it had lousy instructions, and it didn't have anything mentioned about front panel connector...i've got thermatake xaser vi, and it has connector for hd audio and connector for realtek ac'97... does any of mentioned sound card support front panel connector?

LunarStrain · Oct 29, 2008, 09:20 AM

Hey guys i was wondering if you could help me..
Im using an Asus Rampage formula with windows vista 64 bits , my Supreme fx-ii and onboard audio can't give me 5.1 in games with spdif , so i was wondering which sound card i should buy ?

Motherboard : Asus Rampage Formula
Sound system : HTPGS1
Audio / Video Inputs: Analog/Digital: 2 Optical/1 Coaxial/1Analog

I live in canada if that can help for product disponibility
Budget : 100$ (can spend more but im just looking for 5.1 nothing too fancy )

PS: My apolagies for typos and such , English is my second language

BWX · Oct 30, 2008, 11:40 PM

Wouldn't it be easier to just get a 7.1 channel AVR (like the one I got last year) that has multi-channel-input and then connect it directly to the outputs from the soundcard (C/SW---FR/FL---RR/LR---BR/BL)?

Then maybe get an HD component cable switch-box (the three or four cable deal) ---------
Pelican HD at circuitcity.com ------ (example) and just use the audio in/out so you can have multiple in/out for the 7.1 multi-channel inputs.

Of course most AVRs also do multi-channel inputs through HDMI, so it shouldn't be a problem if you have more devices you want to hook up that way to your AVR besides your PC soundcard and your AVR has more than one HDMI input.

The good Blu-Ray players will do "lossless compression" on the player via Dolby TrueHD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia or other lossless codec anyway- (like DTS-HD Master Audio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia )

I think that's what I am going to do when I hook up my Fortissimo III 7.1, or whatever 7.1 channel soundcard I get next to my AVR..

**dj_stick** · Oct 30, 2008, 11:46 PM

with BWX's option you WILL get a better sound quality (if the souncard is decent) simply because Dolby Digital is a LOSSY encoding algorithm, and the digital to analogue converters in most low-mid range amplifiers are pretty average

~~RE III - Frankie~~ · Jan 24, 2010, 06:51 AM

I have LIVE 5.1 HD Audio, I can't get used to 2 channel anymore!

-Mr.Fridge · Feb 8, 2010, 08:38 AM

I'm not looking for an amazing sound quality, my speakers can't give me that.
But, I AM looking to give my Xbox a 5.1 speakers to play with.
My only qustion: Is the X-Fi Fatality Pro capable of turning the digital input from a TOSLINK cable (From the xbox) to a 5.1 channel analog output (Directly to my speakers)...?

Jul 15, 2008, 06:02 PM	#93
T3hn0 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Slovenia Posts: 65 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	fresh one... hi there...i'm gonna borrow this thread a bit i recently bought logitech z-5500. i tried the boundled cables, and then i figured that spdif has better quality. so i tried the coax spdif....i was like nice sound but then when i started to play a bit with the settings, i found out that my mobo doesn't support dts/dd encoding aswell (maximus formula)... so i started to explore around the web and search for some anwers... i knew i have to buy new sound card, but all threads are old...and i'm a bit confused what-to-buy i wanna buy something new, not too cheap because i intend to use it later on too...i think that it should be for pcie x1 socket (perhaps x4 too if i can connect it on the other pci-e x16 for crossfire), and it definatelly has to be able to encode dts/dd. i so far managed to found: - Auzen X-Plosion - Auzen X-Fi Prelude but they both require pci (not pcie), and i don't know if they're good...i found some critics about X-Plosion, and i don't know if Prelude is really worth of its money... could you recommend me good soundcard?

Oct 29, 2008, 09:20 AM	#99
LunarStrain DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Re: 5.1 and S/PDIF Hey guys i was wondering if you could help me.. Im using an Asus Rampage formula with windows vista 64 bits , my Supreme fx-ii and onboard audio can't give me 5.1 in games with spdif , so i was wondering which sound card i should buy ? Motherboard : Asus Rampage Formula Sound system : HTPGS1 Audio / Video Inputs: Analog/Digital: 2 Optical/1 Coaxial/1Analog I live in canada if that can help for product disponibility Budget : 100$ (can spend more but im just looking for 5.1 nothing too fancy ) PS: My apolagies for typos and such , English is my second language

Oct 30, 2008, 11:40 PM	#100
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,665 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	Re: 5.1 and S/PDIF Wouldn't it be easier to just get a 7.1 channel AVR (like the one I got last year) that has multi-channel-input and then connect it directly to the outputs from the soundcard (C/SW---FR/FL---RR/LR---BR/BL)? Then maybe get an HD component cable switch-box (the three or four cable deal) --------- Pelican HD at circuitcity.com ------ (example) and just use the audio in/out so you can have multiple in/out for the 7.1 multi-channel inputs. Of course most AVRs also do multi-channel inputs through HDMI, so it shouldn't be a problem if you have more devices you want to hook up that way to your AVR besides your PC soundcard and your AVR has more than one HDMI input. The good Blu-Ray players will do "lossless compression" on the player via Dolby TrueHD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia or other lossless codec anyway- (like DTS-HD Master Audio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ) I think that's what I am going to do when I hook up my Fortissimo III 7.1, or whatever 7.1 channel soundcard I get next to my AVR.. __________________

Jan 24, 2010, 06:51 AM	#102
~~RE III - Frankie~~ Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,754 Rep Power: 0	Re: 5.1 and S/PDIF I have LIVE 5.1 HD Audio, I can't get used to 2 channel anymore!

Feb 8, 2010, 08:38 AM	#103
-Mr.Fridge DriverHeaven's Fridge Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Israel Posts: 174 Rep Power: 42 System Specs	Re: 5.1 and S/PDIF I'm not looking for an amazing sound quality, my speakers can't give me that. But, I AM looking to give my Xbox a 5.1 speakers to play with. My only qustion: Is the X-Fi Fatality Pro capable of turning the digital input from a TOSLINK cable (From the xbox) to a 5.1 channel analog output (Directly to my speakers)...? __________________ ...:::I'll tell you something: If you'r a Fridge, don't be surprised that it's ALLWAYS winter:::...

Jul 16, 2008, 09:04 AM	#95
T3hn0 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Slovenia Posts: 65 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	aha...so actaully you recommend me classic jacks instead of spdif... then i should buy better cables too. better shielded perhaps? or should i buy cheapper one...some people recommends me to buy Club 3D Theatron DTS Agrippa 7.1 PCI instead, and connect it via optical spdif

Jul 23, 2008, 08:19 PM	#97
Person51 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I'm still getting no luck with DD processing, even using the new driver(s) from CL and PAX. Simple setup, have a Comcast HD box, trying to run TOSLINK OUT - and IN on the X-Fi front panel. Have jacked with all the settings, un-installed / restart clean everytime. No luck. I DO get audio using standard composite cables, but that's not why I bought the damn card in the first place. Are the newer drivers still not able to decode on the OPTICAL IN ?

Jul 28, 2008, 08:28 AM	#98
T3hn0 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Slovenia Posts: 65 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	i bought club3d theatron 7.1 that i said...but i had problems (i guess it's because of Vista pro x64)...but my friend bought it from me so now i'm looking for new sound card again...i was looking @ - razer barracuda ac-1 (which i don't really like, mainly because of its connector for jacks) - creative x-fi titanium fatal1ty pro (i'm not really sure if it's capable to encode dd/dts on the fly for spdif) - auzen cards are not availible in slovenia then i was searching a bit for better quality cable (if i would connect the speakers throu analog connection), and i didn't found anything ^^ is it worh if i would buy cable and connectors (seperatelly) and i would "make" the cable? ** edit: i was looking @ club3d theatron and it had lousy instructions, and it didn't have anything mentioned about front panel connector...i've got thermatake xaser vi, and it has connector for hd audio and connector for realtek ac'97... does any of mentioned sound card support front panel connector?