SB Live! 5.1 and home theatre system

fenestren · Aug 5, 2009, 12:06 AM

Hi all,

I have a SB Live! Platinum 5.1 on Windows 7 PC: it's linked to my Sony sintoamplifier (with 5.1 Kenwood surround system) via coax on S/PDIF output.

I tried the last driver package (either 3541 or or 3548 beta)but I have problems with configuration: KX mixer doesn't let me configure 5+1 speakers, maybe it can't recognize them???

What's the right configuration for my system please?

Thanks a lot.
By,

Luca from Italy

Russ · Aug 5, 2009, 12:39 AM

SPDIF is stereo only for normal uncompressed audio (and kX does not support compressed audio (AC3) with 10k1 (i.e. Live!) models).

Temragon · Aug 5, 2009, 12:47 AM

While it doesn't support it for compressed audio, it makes a excellent channel to use alongside normal surround for voice, you can make a very effective ducker (Silence with incoming VOIP) with it.

fenestren · Aug 5, 2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

SPDIF is stereo only for normal uncompressed audio (and kX does not support compressed audio (AC3) with 10k1 (i.e. Live!) models).

So, are you telling me that I have to go back to XP or change sound card?

Russ · Aug 5, 2009, 12:59 AM

Your choices seem to be:

Use the Creative driver (if support for AC3 is needed).
Configure your receiver to upmix stereo sources to 5.1.
Use the analog outputs of the sound card.
Use the extra digital outputs of the sound card (the digital out jack has 3 SPDIF outputs) with digital speakers (or equivalent) that can make use of all 3 outputs.

Please see the following info from the Creative Labs forum, about the digital out jack (and keep in mind that AC3 pass-through is not supported by kX with your card model).
Digital Connections, SPDIF and Dolby Digital Info - Sound Blaster - Creative Labs

[EDIT]
BTW: I thought I should add that you configure the speakers in kX by clicking on the "Speaker Setup..." button (picture of a speaker) in kxmixer, but note that you still will not get 5.1 from a single SPDIF output, but you can set it to downmix to stereo only, etc.
[/EDIT]

fenestren · Aug 5, 2009, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

Your choices seem to be:

Use the Creative driver (if support for AC3 is needed).

Can you suggest me a proper Vista or Seven driver package for my CT4760 SB Live! Platinum sound card, please?

I'll try this driver for the last time then, if I'll have no solution, I'll go back to XP.
Thanks for your help

Russ · Aug 5, 2009, 01:27 AM

Sorry, I really do not know anything about the Creative drivers for Vista or Windows 7.

BTW: Even with the Creative driver, you will still only get stereo output from sources that are not AC3 encoded (again, see the link I posted previously). For your type of setup, you are probably better off using a card with a built in AC3 encoder or Dolby Digital Live, etc. (assuming that your receiver can decode AC3).

Aug 5, 2009, 12:06 AM	#1
fenestren DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	SB Live! 5.1 and home theatre system Hi all, I have a SB Live! Platinum 5.1 on Windows 7 PC: it's linked to my Sony sintoamplifier (with 5.1 Kenwood surround system) via coax on S/PDIF output. I tried the last driver package (either 3541 or or 3548 beta)but I have problems with configuration: KX mixer doesn't let me configure 5+1 speakers, maybe it can't recognize them??? What's the right configuration for my system please? Thanks a lot. By, Luca from Italy

Aug 5, 2009, 12:39 AM	#2
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,507 Rep Power: 61	Re: SB Live! 5.1 and home theatre system SPDIF is stereo only for normal uncompressed audio (and kX does not support compressed audio (AC3) with 10k1 (i.e. Live!) models).

Aug 5, 2009, 12:47 AM	#3
Temragon HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 51 Rep Power: 0	Re: SB Live! 5.1 and home theatre system While it doesn't support it for compressed audio, it makes a excellent channel to use alongside normal surround for voice, you can make a very effective ducker (Silence with incoming VOIP) with it.

Aug 5, 2009, 12:59 AM	#5
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,507 Rep Power: 61	Re: SB Live! 5.1 and home theatre system Your choices seem to be: Use the Creative driver (if support for AC3 is needed). Configure your receiver to upmix stereo sources to 5.1. Use the analog outputs of the sound card. Use the extra digital outputs of the sound card (the digital out jack has 3 SPDIF outputs) with digital speakers (or equivalent) that can make use of all 3 outputs. Please see the following info from the Creative Labs forum, about the digital out jack (and keep in mind that AC3 pass-through is not supported by kX with your card model). Digital Connections, SPDIF and Dolby Digital Info - Sound Blaster - Creative Labs [EDIT] BTW: I thought I should add that you configure the speakers in kX by clicking on the "Speaker Setup..." button (picture of a speaker) in kxmixer, but note that you still will not get 5.1 from a single SPDIF output, but you can set it to downmix to stereo only, etc. [/EDIT] Last edited by Russ; Aug 5, 2009 at 01:38 AM. Reason: mooore info... typo

Aug 5, 2009, 01:27 AM	#7
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,507 Rep Power: 61	Re: SB Live! 5.1 and home theatre system Sorry, I really do not know anything about the Creative drivers for Vista or Windows 7. BTW: Even with the Creative driver, you will still only get stereo output from sources that are not AC3 encoded (again, see the link I posted previously). For your type of setup, you are probably better off using a card with a built in AC3 encoder or Dolby Digital Live, etc. (assuming that your receiver can decode AC3). Last edited by Russ; Aug 5, 2009 at 01:40 AM.