Having trouble with Audigy Gamer and 5.1 surround sound

gamer24 · Jun 28, 2006, 03:02 AM

I havent been able to find a solution for the problem im having. I have an Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer and a KLH Amp for 5.1 sound. I just recently bought the Digital Optical Daughter Card from ebay so I can use coaxial to go from the computer to the Amp.

I first was using the latest version of the Creative drivers to try to get surround working but it was causing more problems then helping so I got the KX Drivers.

So on to the problems Im having. First, Ive set up everything correctly in the KX Mixer for coaxial sound, sound does work when playing music and is only in stereo which is what it should be. So I open up Battlefield 2 and switch it to hardware sound and open a local game just to test, now the problem, sound is only in stereo (sub does work and does make noise)and gunshots are not heard from the center but heart beating and ear ringing is. BF2 does support surround sound, why is it not working?

The other problem is with DVDs, DVDs are made for surround sound and my amp shows dolby digital when playing the DVD through the DVD player, but I set up my Intervideo WinDVD Platinum to go thorugh coaxial without decoding, now the problem, one amp only shows left and right speakers are on, two it never switches to dolby digital like it should, three sound starts to skip after 1-2 minutes into the video and no surround sound. One last thing I was playing a LOTR Movie, I clicked the screen to go to the menu and my speakers made a pop noise and my computer restarted, only did that once and no damage was done.

I hope someone can help me and sorry for such a long post. If you need any more info please ask.

Maddogg6 · Jun 28, 2006, 04:59 AM

Turn on 'AC3 Pass through' by selecting the proper SPDIF (coax) port to send AC3 signal through (KX Mixer - 'Main' Page)

It assumes 1 SPDIF connection from your Audigy to your KLH amp - and is capable of decoding the AC3. You may also want to play with the SPDIF bitrate there as well if you experience problems.

As a side note - it has been discussed in other thread about directional audio accuracy with KX (as in theres minor issues with some games, remember KX focus is aimed at music, not gaming) - But I have found installing A2D and playing games that will use that - seem to be good (Like UT2004, NFS:UG2) from what I can tell.. but like Doom3 had some directional issues for me.

gamer24 · Jun 28, 2006, 06:23 AM

For some reason selecting AC3 Passthru doesnt do anything. I have four options Off, SPDIF 1, 2, and 3. Selecting 1, 2, or 3 doesnt do anything, I have it set to 1 but if I select 2 or 3 sound still plays.

Also I can only use SPDIF Frequency 48000 or 44100 but 96000 does not work and no sound plays with that one.

Sorry if its hard to come up with an answer but atleast the KX drivers are much better then the Creative drivers when it comes to SPDIF and AC3 stuff.

Maddogg6 · Jun 28, 2006, 07:21 AM

AC3 is a compression and a way to shove 6 channels of audio into a SPDIF 'pipe' made for only 2 channels.

If using more than 1 digital output on KX - you would then use KX to decode the AC3 and send relevant channels to the proper physical output (analog OR digital)

So - please give more details on your physical connections to your KLH amp, indicate what a second amp is used for, and vrify your last posts test were done with AC3 encoded material... your circumstances dont seem to make sense to me at this point.

You may also want to post your soundcards info (SBXXXX or CTXXXX) that shows up in the bottom left corner of most KX screens. Maybe someone else knows of known problems with your particular card model.

gamer24 · Jun 28, 2006, 07:39 AM

My card is a SB0090 10k2

The amp is for the surround sound there is no second amp, My comp is connected to the amp by one RCA cable going from the coax out on the daughter card to the coax in on the amp.

I did put a DVD in that I know was dolby digital AC3 content(Star Wars Ep:3) I tried turning the ac3 passthru off and it only played in stereo with sound that skipped alot. Then I tryed each of the SPDIF numbers for the AC3 Passthru and same thing, stereo and sound skipped alot.

The KLH amp display shows when speakers are used, when playing either a DVD(on my DVD Player) or XBOX all speakers are on and all have letters in them and Dolby Digital symbol lights up. It looks like this:
----------------------------------------------------------------
With the Dolby Digital Symbol here |--| |----| |--|
-----Ignore these Dashes------------|--| |----| |--|
---------------------------------------------------------------
Each box represents a different speaker with the bottom being the sub. When in stereo mode only the top left and right and bottom middle are shown but the top left and right are the only ones with letters in it. When using my comp all show up meaning its recieving a signal but only the L and R have letters in it. Even when playing a DVD on my comp it stays the same.

Im off to bed but ill check back in the morning, if you need anymore info let me know.

zzJAYzz · Jun 28, 2006, 12:18 PM

Ok, I think downloading this was a mistake because I'm about as pro at programming and music stuff as a donkey... But anyway, I downloaded the Full Installer, went through, installed everything. Restarted... then when I got back to desktop, and there was no icon or anything. So I go to the kX root folder and find the .exe and try to start it. I get: "Severe error" File kxskin.kxs not found or is invalid. The kX driver wasn't installed correctly. Please re-run setup." Or somthing alot like that. I reinstalled a few times but to no avail. I even tried to download form different mirrors and reinstall. But nothing seems to work. An ideas?

Maddogg6 · Jun 28, 2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamer24

My card is a SB0090 10k2

The amp is for the surround sound there is no second amp, My comp is connected to the amp by one RCA cable going from the coax out on the daughter card to the coax in on the amp.

I did put a DVD in that I know was dolby digital AC3 content(Star Wars Ep:3) I tried turning the ac3 passthru off and it only played in stereo with sound that skipped alot. Then I tryed each of the SPDIF numbers for the AC3 Passthru and same thing, stereo and sound skipped alot.

The KLH amp display shows when speakers are used, when playing either a DVD(on my DVD Player) or XBOX all speakers are on and all have letters in them and Dolby Digital symbol lights up. It looks like this:
----------------------------------------------------------------
With the Dolby Digital Symbol here |--| |----| |--|
-----Ignore these Dashes------------|--| |----| |--|
---------------------------------------------------------------
Each box represents a different speaker with the bottom being the sub. When in stereo mode only the top left and right and bottom middle are shown but the top left and right are the only ones with letters in it. When using my comp all show up meaning its recieving a signal but only the L and R have letters in it. Even when playing a DVD on my comp it stays the same.

Im off to bed but ill check back in the morning, if you need anymore info let me know.

Ok - I beleive there may be some issues with your card model - well, at least Im pretty sure there's a known problem about routing - but it was more for ASIO...?? - I suppose maybe it could be affecting AC3 as well.... either way it seems you've tried all I can think of at the moment - (and um, Im NOT an expert by any means)

To further investigate - look for trill's redocneXK (thats KX Encoder - backwards) AC3 encoder - which allows you to encode ASIO (simple connections in the DSP) to output AC3 -
Now - I 'm pretty sure this will expose the issue with your card - and the thread for redocnexk I beleive will show others with your card model having this routing problem - again... Its more related to ASIO - but ?? - its a clue to investigate...

Im affraid thats about as much help I can be right now...

Sorry

Russ · Jun 28, 2006, 08:55 PM

BTW: Unless your game is outputting DD/AC3 (doubtful), you will not get surround sound from your PC games with your receiver/decoder (you will only get stereo). To get surround from your games, you would need to use a software AC3 encoder, such as Tril's redocneXK application, or use the analog outputs (or the individual digital outputs with a compatible digital speaker system.)

gamer24 · Jun 28, 2006, 11:58 PM

I tried using the AC3 Encoder but it cuts out all sounds coming from the computer(this only happened when trying a DVD), Im going to try it with BF2 and see what happens.

Maddogg6 · Jun 29, 2006, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

BTW: Unless your game is outputting DD/AC3 (doubtful), you will not get surround sound from your PC games with your receiver/decoder (you will only get stereo). To get surround from your games, you would need to use a software AC3 decoder, such as Tril's redocneXK application, or use the analog outputs (or the individual digital outputs with a compatible digital speaker system.)

I just checked, BF2 does not seem to have a Dolby Digital mode... SO - AC3 passthru wont help with BF2 either - and would need redocne to output 5.1 via a single SPDIF cable. (as russ was pointing out)

NOW - I just thought of something... I have had some DVD - even though they said they were 5.1 - ONLY music came out the rear channels... so, make sure the disc is using all 5.1 for testing..

gamer24 · Jun 29, 2006, 12:36 AM

Ive tried three different DVDs and they all have choppy sound. The encoder even when trying it with BF2 it does not play any sound.

I have a feeling i'm going to need to buy a new sound card, so im going back to checking Ebay everyday.

Edit:

I found two cards on Ebay, which one would be better for me:

Audigy Platinum eX Cost:69.99
or
Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Cost:85.95

The Audigy 2 one looks better for me but I dont know.

Jun 28, 2006, 03:02 AM	#1
gamer24 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Having trouble with Audigy Gamer and 5.1 surround sound I havent been able to find a solution for the problem im having. I have an Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer and a KLH Amp for 5.1 sound. I just recently bought the Digital Optical Daughter Card from ebay so I can use coaxial to go from the computer to the Amp. I first was using the latest version of the Creative drivers to try to get surround working but it was causing more problems then helping so I got the KX Drivers. So on to the problems Im having. First, Ive set up everything correctly in the KX Mixer for coaxial sound, sound does work when playing music and is only in stereo which is what it should be. So I open up Battlefield 2 and switch it to hardware sound and open a local game just to test, now the problem, sound is only in stereo (sub does work and does make noise)and gunshots are not heard from the center but heart beating and ear ringing is. BF2 does support surround sound, why is it not working? The other problem is with DVDs, DVDs are made for surround sound and my amp shows dolby digital when playing the DVD through the DVD player, but I set up my Intervideo WinDVD Platinum to go thorugh coaxial without decoding, now the problem, one amp only shows left and right speakers are on, two it never switches to dolby digital like it should, three sound starts to skip after 1-2 minutes into the video and no surround sound. One last thing I was playing a LOTR Movie, I clicked the screen to go to the menu and my speakers made a pop noise and my computer restarted, only did that once and no damage was done. I hope someone can help me and sorry for such a long post. If you need any more info please ask.

Jun 28, 2006, 08:55 PM	#8
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	BTW: Unless your game is outputting DD/AC3 (doubtful), you will not get surround sound from your PC games with your receiver/decoder (you will only get stereo). To get surround from your games, you would need to use a software AC3 encoder, such as Tril's redocneXK application, or use the analog outputs (or the individual digital outputs with a compatible digital speaker system.) Last edited by Russ; Jun 29, 2006 at 12:48 AM. Reason: typo

Jun 29, 2006, 12:36 AM	Thread Starter #11
gamer24 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Ive tried three different DVDs and they all have choppy sound. The encoder even when trying it with BF2 it does not play any sound. I have a feeling i'm going to need to buy a new sound card, so im going back to checking Ebay everyday. Edit: I found two cards on Ebay, which one would be better for me: Audigy Platinum eX Cost:69.99 or Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Cost:85.95 The Audigy 2 one looks better for me but I dont know. Last edited by gamer24; Jun 29, 2006 at 01:02 AM.

Jun 28, 2006, 04:59 AM	#2
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	Turn on 'AC3 Pass through' by selecting the proper SPDIF (coax) port to send AC3 signal through (KX Mixer - 'Main' Page) It assumes 1 SPDIF connection from your Audigy to your KLH amp - and is capable of decoding the AC3. You may also want to play with the SPDIF bitrate there as well if you experience problems. As a side note - it has been discussed in other thread about directional audio accuracy with KX (as in theres minor issues with some games, remember KX focus is aimed at music, not gaming) - But I have found installing A2D and playing games that will use that - seem to be good (Like UT2004, NFS:UG2) from what I can tell.. but like Doom3 had some directional issues for me.

Jun 28, 2006, 06:23 AM	Thread Starter #3
gamer24 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	For some reason selecting AC3 Passthru doesnt do anything. I have four options Off, SPDIF 1, 2, and 3. Selecting 1, 2, or 3 doesnt do anything, I have it set to 1 but if I select 2 or 3 sound still plays. Also I can only use SPDIF Frequency 48000 or 44100 but 96000 does not work and no sound plays with that one. Sorry if its hard to come up with an answer but atleast the KX drivers are much better then the Creative drivers when it comes to SPDIF and AC3 stuff.

Jun 28, 2006, 07:21 AM	#4
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	AC3 is a compression and a way to shove 6 channels of audio into a SPDIF 'pipe' made for only 2 channels. If using more than 1 digital output on KX - you would then use KX to decode the AC3 and send relevant channels to the proper physical output (analog OR digital) So - please give more details on your physical connections to your KLH amp, indicate what a second amp is used for, and vrify your last posts test were done with AC3 encoded material... your circumstances dont seem to make sense to me at this point. You may also want to post your soundcards info (SBXXXX or CTXXXX) that shows up in the bottom left corner of most KX screens. Maybe someone else knows of known problems with your particular card model.

Jun 28, 2006, 07:39 AM	Thread Starter #5
gamer24 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	My card is a SB0090 10k2 The amp is for the surround sound there is no second amp, My comp is connected to the amp by one RCA cable going from the coax out on the daughter card to the coax in on the amp. I did put a DVD in that I know was dolby digital AC3 content(Star Wars Ep:3) I tried turning the ac3 passthru off and it only played in stereo with sound that skipped alot. Then I tryed each of the SPDIF numbers for the AC3 Passthru and same thing, stereo and sound skipped alot. The KLH amp display shows when speakers are used, when playing either a DVD(on my DVD Player) or XBOX all speakers are on and all have letters in them and Dolby Digital symbol lights up. It looks like this: ---------------------------------------------------------------- With the Dolby Digital Symbol here \|--\| \|----\| \|--\| -----Ignore these Dashes------------\|--\| \|----\| \|--\| --------------------------------------------------------------- Each box represents a different speaker with the bottom being the sub. When in stereo mode only the top left and right and bottom middle are shown but the top left and right are the only ones with letters in it. When using my comp all show up meaning its recieving a signal but only the L and R have letters in it. Even when playing a DVD on my comp it stays the same. Im off to bed but ill check back in the morning, if you need anymore info let me know.

Jun 28, 2006, 12:18 PM	#6
zzJAYzz DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Ok, I think downloading this was a mistake because I'm about as pro at programming and music stuff as a donkey... But anyway, I downloaded the Full Installer, went through, installed everything. Restarted... then when I got back to desktop, and there was no icon or anything. So I go to the kX root folder and find the .exe and try to start it. I get: "Severe error" File kxskin.kxs not found or is invalid. The kX driver wasn't installed correctly. Please re-run setup." Or somthing alot like that. I reinstalled a few times but to no avail. I even tried to download form different mirrors and reinstall. But nothing seems to work. An ideas?

Jun 28, 2006, 11:58 PM	Thread Starter #9
gamer24 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	I tried using the AC3 Encoder but it cuts out all sounds coming from the computer(this only happened when trying a DVD), Im going to try it with BF2 and see what happens.