dolby digital

[Diggler]

I just finnished putting together a new pc. I have the creative labs sound blaster XF-i platinum http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=14065 , I have a optical wire running from my pc to my home theater reciever. I get audion in dolby prologic enhanced but my reciever wont switch to dolby digital. It does it automatically when receiving the signal.. I hooked up all of the supplied hardware, but did not see any additional audio wires. Was I supposed to hook up a second set of wires that will transfer the digital audio?

[ESCAPEMAX]

I think Creative is a Liar when it comes to their sound cards. I have an Audigy 2 ZS. Supposed to be a 7.1 card. Even watching a movie, I only get ouput from the front channels. Only time I get rear is when I activate the CMSS. Which is not true Dolby Digital. I did use the Digital jack on my Sony DVD Rom to the Digital input on the card.
Chris

[blue60007]

It's a 7.1 card...I'm not totally familiar with them, but if you want a true surround sound you have to have a surround sound feed...and I think there is some setting that needs changing.

[Hi Ho]

You will not get surround sound from the digital connection with that card unless you are watching a DVD.

They are not lying. They simply don't have Dolby Digital Live which encodes game sounds into a Dolby Digital stream in real time.

The only two sound cards on the market that will do this are the BlueGears X-Mystique (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829127001) and the Turtle Beach Montego (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829118109).

The X-Fi will output excellent quality audio from the analog jacks. If your receiver has a 6ch input you can connect it this way and get surround sound in games. Take a look at THIS (http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=143798) guide.

[ESCAPEMAX]

I dont get Surround Sound even during a Movie. I have the card hooked to my HT Receiver through the 5.1 Analog inputs. Using Stereo Jack to RCA adapters from Radio Shack. I know my HT is Dolby. I have a Pioneer Receiver and 5 disc changer. Using the Toslink connector.
Chris

[ESCAPEMAX]

I dont get Surround Sound even during a DVD Movie. I have the card hooked to my HT Receiver through the 5.1 Analog inputs. Using Stereo Jack to RCA adapters from Radio Shack. I know my HT is Dolby. I have a Pioneer Receiver and 5 disc changer. Using the Toslink connector.
Chris

[ESCAPEMAX]

Sorry for the Double Post. My Internet connection was interupted.
Chris

[Hi Ho]

What software are you using to play DVD's?

[ESCAPEMAX]

I was running Power DVD. But found it only has 2 speaker or SPDI output.
Last night I found Interactual Player. Installed and ran. Since I only have Front and Rear input attached to my HT Receiver, I now get ProLogic.
BTW, I found that when I ran the 5.1 mode on the Receiver, I only get 2 channel output. But when I switched to DVD/LD I got ProLogic. I use DVD/LD for my fiberoptic connection to my dvd player.
My 5.1 Logitech (X530) speakers should be here Thursday. I have the Z640 hooked to my older pc and sound Great!!!
Chris

[Hi Ho]

You probably have the OEM version of PowerDVD which will not output surround sound. You need to buy the full version for that capability. Interactual player is the same. In fact, I believe Interactual simply uses whatever software is on your PC to play the DVD's.

By the way, you should have been getting ProLogic this whole time. All ProLogic needs is a stereo signal.

[ESCAPEMAX]

Origionally I used the CD input and a Stereo plug. For trial. Then I wanted to get the Dolby. Now with 4 channel input, My HT Receiver plays ProLogic.
Interactual cam on one of my DVD's. Today i watching the "The Mummy". Sounded Great in ProLogic
Power DVD came with the Sony drive. I installed it on my older system which has a Samsung DVD. Had to Edit the software since it wouldnt install without a "Sony" drive. Now I can get it to work on Any drive.
Chris

[Hi Ho]

4 channel input? Is this a 5.1 receiver or an older ProLogic?

[ESCAPEMAX]

Not too old. Bought it last year I think. Pioneer VSX D514. Has Both Optical and 5.1 channel input. Used the 5.1 conectors. Ran Lines 1 and 2. Left the Center/Sub off. Dont have the cable. I am getting 5.1 PC speakers to use.
Chris