Audigy/Audigy 2 Dolby Digital Problem

reno · Nov 14, 2002, 03:26 AM

After comparing the "by SPDIF" function in Power DVD XP 4.0 to the "6 Channel" option...I've decided this about the Hardware Dolby Digital Support of the EMU10K2 chip...

It only supports boosted (compressed and amplified) Dolby Digital.

Using 6 Channel, and setting my environment to Quiet (uncompressed range and not-amplified) I noticed sound was MUCH more robust and gunshots/loud explosions didn't drown out. Switching to 6 Channel Loud (compressed range, amplified for notebooks), gunshots, explosions, and any sounds at either extremes of the frequency spectrum (below 250hz and about 15khz) was muted and/or cut out.

Turning to "by SPDIF" (which uses the Audigy/Audigy 2 to decode Dolby Digital streams) performed EXACTLY like the "6 Channel Loud" mode of software decoding. This sucks, because it REALLY cuts out the extreme effects in newer movies...like Starwars Episode 2 or Blade 2.

Be wary! You aren't getting the ultimate fidelity if you use the Audigy to decode Dolby Digtal, spend the extra money and get a true decoder based off software. The Quiet, Normal, and Loud environment settings are intrinsic to DD, and it's really crappy that Creative doesn't give you the choice to choose.

FASC · Nov 14, 2002, 01:59 PM

When I select the "by SPDIF" function (also in Power DVD XP 4.0) my final sound appears the be jogging... I never use that option because of that... Is that usual?!?!?!

reno · Nov 15, 2002, 05:42 AM

No, that's normal. Creative's implementation of Dolby Digital is...shall we say...lacking? Try getting the latest drivers, SPDIF performance is vastly improved, but video is still not smoothe.

Damn. If only another sound card supported EAX 3!

Nov 14, 2002, 03:26 AM	#1
reno Painlord of Ichor Join Date: May 2002 Location: bloinkin! Posts: 1,610 Rep Power: 0	Audigy/Audigy 2 Dolby Digital Problem After comparing the "by SPDIF" function in Power DVD XP 4.0 to the "6 Channel" option...I've decided this about the Hardware Dolby Digital Support of the EMU10K2 chip... It only supports boosted (compressed and amplified) Dolby Digital. Using 6 Channel, and setting my environment to Quiet (uncompressed range and not-amplified) I noticed sound was MUCH more robust and gunshots/loud explosions didn't drown out. Switching to 6 Channel Loud (compressed range, amplified for notebooks), gunshots, explosions, and any sounds at either extremes of the frequency spectrum (below 250hz and about 15khz) was muted and/or cut out. Turning to "by SPDIF" (which uses the Audigy/Audigy 2 to decode Dolby Digital streams) performed EXACTLY like the "6 Channel Loud" mode of software decoding. This sucks, because it REALLY cuts out the extreme effects in newer movies...like Starwars Episode 2 or Blade 2. Be wary! You aren't getting the ultimate fidelity if you use the Audigy to decode Dolby Digtal, spend the extra money and get a true decoder based off software. The Quiet, Normal, and Loud environment settings are intrinsic to DD, and it's really crappy that Creative doesn't give you the choice to choose.

Nov 14, 2002, 01:59 PM	#2
FASC DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lisbon, Portugal Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	Funny... When I select the "by SPDIF" function (also in Power DVD XP 4.0) my final sound appears the be jogging... I never use that option because of that... Is that usual?!?!?! __________________ [COLOR=royalblue]=\[/COLOR] [COLOR=DarkOrange]A64[/COLOR] [COLOR=Teal]X2[/COLOR] 4600+ Manchester [COLOR=royalblue]/=\[/COLOR] [COLOR=Gray]Asus[/COLOR] A8N SLI Deluxe [COLOR=royalblue]/=\[/COLOR] [COLOR=Red]4x[/COLOR] 512MB PC3200 [COLOR=royalblue]/=\[/COLOR] [COLOR=YellowGreen]XFX [/COLOR]7900 GS XXX [COLOR=royalblue]/=[/COLOR] [COLOR=royalblue]=\[/COLOR] [COLOR=Red]4x[/COLOR] 80GB Hitachi SATAII [COLOR=royalblue]/=\[/COLOR] [COLOR=Blue]LC[/COLOR] [COLOR=Red]Power[/COLOR] 550W rev 2.0 [COLOR=royalblue]/=[/COLOR][COLOR=crimson][/COLOR]

Nov 15, 2002, 05:42 AM	Thread Starter #3
reno Painlord of Ichor Join Date: May 2002 Location: bloinkin! Posts: 1,610 Rep Power: 0	gfhdf No, that's normal. Creative's implementation of Dolby Digital is...shall we say...lacking? Try getting the latest drivers, SPDIF performance is vastly improved, but video is still not smoothe. Damn. If only another sound card supported EAX 3!