5.1 not outputting from my motherboard?

[Deders]

I know Creative cards will do that, but it was a bit sketchy on my X-FI. With DTS out over optical I would get clicking in the rear right speaker after a while.

I really couldn't comment on Asus cards, hopefully someone else can.

What you have to watch out for is whether the card can do full DTS encoding and not just DTS NEO which is different and worse quality. Some motherboards I've seen advertise DTS encoding but in reality it doesn't always work out that way. My X-FI offered both.

As for recording 24bit you'll want the soundcard with the biggest signal to noise ratio (SNR, measured in db) for the INPUT. The most obvious SNR ratings in the specs will usually be for output so you will have to delve a little deeper.

 

[tinpanalley]

I know Creative cards will do that...

Fantastic input, thanks. You gave me a lot to chew on. I've got some audiophile forums I can ask around on as well.

 

[Deders]

I've just edited the post because I mistook DTS NEO for Dolby digital, in case you missed it.

 

[Deders]

Also just to be sure, when talking to people on forums, make sure they know you are talking about encoding then bit-streaming DTS over optical, and not just bit-streaming because I expect most will assume you want to bit-stream already encoded movie soundtracks as it is the most common usage.

 

[tinpanalley]

Also just to be sure, when talking to people on forums, make sure they know you are talking about encoding then bit-streaming DTS over optical, and not just bit-streaming because I expect most will assume you want to bit-stream already encoded movie soundtracks as it is the most common usage.

Ok, I will have to look up exactly what the difference is in what you're saying, encoding-streaming vs streaming alone. Sorry, bit ignorant on this.

 

[Seba]

Ok, I will have to look up exactly what the difference is in what you're saying, encoding-streaming vs streaming alone. Sorry, bit ignorant on this.

If you read the entire thread, you should understand.

The difference is that you may not have a DD/DTS stream and because of that you must first encode it to DD or to DTS.

 

[Deders]

Most movies and a lot of TV programs will have their audio pre-encoded into one of several formats. Most commonly DTS and Dolby Digital. Most modern TV's will either decode this and play it themselves, or if you have a receiver in the chain, this will decode it.

If you download movies, they often have this pre-encoded DTS or DD track as audio, and usually the PC will decode the audio and play it back.

If you have a receiver, you can tell some media players to Bitstream the DTS or DD track directly to the receiver for it to decode instead of the PC. This often ends up being better quality because the receiver knows better what to do with these tracks. (Short and sweet explanation)

These are all pre-encoded.

What you want is something that will take a 5.1 sound source (game), compress it and create a DTS signal instantaneously in real time whilst you are playing, and bitstream that over optical to your receiver.

 

[tinpanalley]

Most movies and a lot of TV programs will have their audio pre-encoded into one of several formats. Most commonly DTS and Dolby Digital. Most modern TV's will either decode this and play it themselves, or if you have a receiver in the chain, this will decode it.

If you download movies, they often have this pre-encoded DTS or DD track as audio, and usually the PC will decode the audio and play it back.

If you have a receiver, you can tell some media players to Bitstream the DTS or DD track directly to the receiver for it to decode instead of the PC. This often ends up being better quality because the receiver knows better what to do with these tracks. (Short and sweet explanation)

These are all pre-encoded.

What you want is something that will take a 5.1 sound source (game), compress it and create a DTS signal instantaneously in real time whilst you are playing, and bitstream that over optical to your receiver.

Thanks for that. Really helps.
Well, I can tell you right now that despite having optical output, I can't send anything 5.1 to my receiver (game or video). I only get DD. Now, I do use my media player for watching videos, but from time to time it would be convenient to have the computer do it and plus, I've been wanting a reason for some time, to get an audio solution that could encode my analog captures to 24-bit.
I also have HDMI out on my GPU, but because my receiver has no HDMI inputs, getting audio from HDMI complicates things in my set-up. I use spdif for all digital audio, all toslink except for one coax on my DVD player.

 

[rgallant]

Connecting audio components

Connect the audio components as follows.
■ Connecting a CD player and a CD
recorder/MD recorder
Note
When you connect your CD player via analog and digital
connection, priority is given to the signal input at the DIGITAL
INPUT jack.
Audio out
■ Connecting to the MULTI CH INPUT jacks
This unit is equipped with 6 additional input jacks (FRONT L/R, SURROUND L/R, CENTER and SUBWOOFER) for
discrete multi-channel input from a multi-format player, external decoder or sound processor. Connect the output jacks
on your multi-format player or external decoder to the MULTI CH INPUT jacks. Be sure to match the left and right
output jacks to the left and right input jacks for the front and surround channels

not sure why you don't connect by analog to your receiver from the board ,[a sound card is better by far but $$$] by the looks of it you have the inputs
you will need 3 mini jack to rca splitters
3 rca cable pairs [left & right]
http://www.primecables.com/p-306358-cab-audio-1m-to-2-rca-f-audio-cable-35mm-1male-to-2rca-female-

https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021814&p_id=2864&seq=1&format=2

just check the jack size and male / female of cables

that will send the 6 channels of sound to the receiver amps -then to the speaker\sub connections

plays everything from the pc as all mb sound chips have the software to decode the media your just having a connection issue from pc outputs to your receiver.

[[I also have HDMI out on my GPU ]] you want to turn off that crap click on speaker icon - play back devices and disable those options , better yet in device manager.
post 26-27
http://forums.evga.com/PROCEEDURE-t...und-deviceBLACK-SCREEN-LOGIN-FIX-m586183.aspx

look at the bottom line of my sig.

 

[Deders]

■ Connecting to the MULTI CH INPUT jacks
This unit is equipped with 6 additional input jacks (FRONT L/R, SURROUND L/R, CENTER and SUBWOOFER) for
discrete multi-channel input from a multi-format player, external decoder or sound processor. Connect the output jacks
on your multi-format player or external decoder to the MULTI CH INPUT jacks. Be sure to match the left and right
output jacks to the left and right input jacks for the front and surround channels

not sure why you don't connect by analog to your receiver from the board ,[a sound card is better by far but $$$] by the looks of it you have the inputs
you will need 3 mini jack to rca splitters
3 rca cable pairs [left & right]
http://www.primecables.com/p-306358-cab-audio-1m-to-2-rca-f-audio-cable-35mm-1male-to-2rca-female-

https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021814&p_id=2864&seq=1&format=2

just check the jack size and male / female of cables

that will send the 6 channels of sound to the receiver amps -then to the speaker\sub connections

plays everything from the pc as all mb sound chips have the software to decode the media your just having a connection issue from pc outputs to your receiver.

This isn't a bad idea in the circumstances. It would make the search for a soundcard much easier. One thing to note though, when you get the minijack to phono splitter, make sure the minijack (goes into soundcard) end isn't too chunky or you won't be able to fit 3 of them next to each other. I speak from experience.

 

[tinpanalley]

not sure why you don't connect by analog to your receiver from the board

I understand the connection you're suggesting but I guess I've never thought of it because I simply knew I had optical in on the receiver and remembered I had gotten a motherboard with optical output and liked the one cable solution. But even if I hook it up the way you're suggesting, do I even have a motherboard with an audio processor that can handle DTS 5.1?
And encoding to 24-bit still isn't possible with my mobo, right? What should I be looking at out there in an audio for simple 24-bit encoding in a good quality audio card?

 

[Deders]

If you decide to go the analogue route, your CPU will decode the audio for you, you won't need to worry about DTS or anything like that, it will work transparently in the background without you having to worry too much about settings.

You could then focus on getting an audio card with a good quality input so you can record (encoding isn't the correct term here) and back up your vinyl collection. I honestly doubt there are many motherboard based audio solutions that will do justice to Vinyl or even 24bit as most are around the 96DB range for the input, which is what you usually get for 16bit.

You want to be looking for something with at least 120DB on the input channel. Or around 112/116DB absolute minimum.

 

[tinpanalley]

If you decide to go the analogue route, your CPU will decode the audio for you, you won't need to worry about DTS or anything like that, it will work transparently in the background without you having to worry too much about settings.

Ok, I thought the CPU might still need something software related to do DTS.

You could then focus on getting an audio card with a good quality input so you can record (encoding isn't the correct term here)

Yes, I guess I'm capturing and then the encoding comes when turning it into a saved file... correct?

You want to be looking for something with at least 120DB on the input channel. Or around 112/116DB absolute minimum.

Ok, that's a good starting point. Thanks.

 

[Deders]

Yes, I guess I'm capturing and then the encoding comes when turning it into a saved file... correct?

Whilst technically there is some form of encoding to PCM, turning analogue to digital 1's and 0's, most people won't refer to it like this. When you say encoding people usually think of turning it into a different format like Flac or MP3.

You would call a DAC or an ADC an encoder would you?

 

[tinpanalley]

Whilst technically there is some form of encoding to PCM, turning analogue to digital 1's and 0's, most people won't refer to it like this. When you say encoding people usually think of turning it into a different format like Flac or MP3.

You would call a DAC or an ADC an encoder would you?

No, I suppose a certain element of the analogue-digital shift caused people to leave behind some terms and use others incorrectly. I still say I have to "tape the game" if I can't be at home for some sports event. And I hear people say "the image is pixeling" all the time even though I learned it as "rasterising". A term that never gained common use.

 

[tinpanalley]

So ultimately, what you guys are saying is:
- to get 5.1 out of games that offer it just use the motherboard's outputs and send the analog signal to my receiver.
- to get something for capturing LPs and other analog sources, I should get a dedicated sound card

I use a USB Phono Plus to get the turntable signal into my receiver and I've used the USB output to capture with less signal noise. Is there an internal sound card that has the equivalent USB input or is it best to do that connection with RCAs?

Thanks!

 

[Deders]

I think you can use that to record into your computer, but it will only work at 16bit 48KHz. You might want to find a similar device that does 24bit/96KHz, again with a high input SNR, with a digital output to your computer and forgo the soundcard a the USB device should do everything you need.

 

[tinpanalley]

I think you can use that to record into your computer, but it will only work at 16bit 48KHz. You might want to find a similar device that does 24bit/96KHz, again with a high input SNR, with a digital output to your computer and forgo the soundcard a the USB device should do everything you need.

So there's just never gonna be a way to send 5.1 audio via that optical connection or via less cables, right?

 

[Deders]

Not unless you find a way of encoding the 5.1 into a signal small enough to fit though the optical cable.

 

[tinpanalley]

Not unless you find a way of encoding the 5.1 into a signal small enough to fit though the optical cable.

Ok, analog cables it is.
Good tip on the fatness of the minijack plugs. Been there before with USB and other connections.

 

[tinpanalley]

not sure why you don't connect by analog to your receiver from the board

I've decided to go with this recommendation. One tiny problem. The distance from my desktop to the receiver is 5m (@16ft). Won't I pickup interference with cables that long?

 

[Deders]

You'll want to get some good thick cables or you'll lose signal . I could hear the difference between the short cables I used to power my old front amplifier and the cheap poundshop 5m cable I used for my rear amp. (I had separate amps for each).

I'm not sure if they do them but at this distance, because it's before the amplification stage, in the world of musicians you would want shielded cables. It doesn't matter for speaker cables after the amplification stage but you might want to look into it.

That being said I didn't ever have an issue with interference with my old 5m cable. But if I moved or stepped on it, that noise would get amplified.

 

[tinpanalley]

You'll want to get some good thick cables or you'll lose signal .

So, I'm guessing this would qualify as cheap, crappy cable. :\
I'm seeing others (RCA to minijack) that are properly shielded, insulated but for @15€ each pair. So, if I'm looking at close to 45€ or more, I'm windering whether it's not better to just spend that money on a sound card that can do all the decoding and then keep using my s/pdif cord?

 

[Deders]

At that distance you'll want to spend the extra. Just out of interest, how long is your optical cable?

 

[tinpanalley]

At that distance you'll want to spend the extra. Just out of interest, how long is your optical cable?

It doesn't have to go as far, but it's 3.5m.