Are there any sound cards that decode pro-logic II??

[darth maul]

Just as the tittle of the thread suggests, are there sound cards that do pro-logic II decoding???

 

[RanDum72]

I don't think there is an material that is "Dolby Pro-logic II" encoded. What DPL-II does is expand a stereo and/or Dolby Surround across 5 channels, something that some sound cards can do with their own algorithms.

 

[RaiderJ]

I believe Gamecube games are Dolby Pro-Logic II encoded, as maybe some other items are. To answer your question, I don't think any sound cards currently decode Pro-Logic II, but I'm not sure about the Audigy II, might want to check up on that.

 

[Pariah]

Randum is right, there is no Dolby Prologic II encoded material. The purpose of DPL II is to expand any stereo source to 5.1. All you need for DPL II is the right number of speakers and a receiver capable of processing it. I don't think any sound cards are capable as they all use their own systems for expanding stereo signals. Creative uses CMSS for example.

 

[RaiderJ]

<SNIP>
What is Dolby Pro Logic II?

Dolby Pro Logic II is much like Dolby Surround, but has several major enhancements. Most importantly, Dolby Pro Logic II encoding allows five channels of audio to be encoded into an Lt/Rt signal.

A Pro Logic II decoder relies on amplitude and phase differences between the two channels of an Lt/Rt signal to extract five channels: Left, Right, Center, Left Surround, and Right Surround. All five channels of Dolby Pro Logic II are full bandwidth.

The advanced steering algorithm in Pro Logic II allows it to gracefully decode any two-channel source material, ranging from stereo music to Dolby Surround content, as well as Dolby Pro Logic II content.

Content encoded with Pro Logic II is backwards compatible with Pro Logic decoding, as well as stereo playback.
<SNIP>

This looks to me as if games or other sound environments could be encoded with the specific intent to be decoded by a Pro-Logic II reciever, even though DPL-II can be used on material that wasn't specifically encoded for this format.

 

[RanDum72]

Dolby Pro Logic II is much like Dolby Surround, but has several major enhancements. Most importantly, Dolby Pro Logic II encoding allows five channels of audio to be encoded into an Lt/Rt signal.

Just like I said, its still a stereo signal but there are some 'enhancements' like more spaciousness or 'echoey' sounds are emphasized so that more volume can be matrixed off the left/right channels and channelled into in the surounds. But Pro-logic II decoders are good enough that you would be hard-pressed to hear anydifference between an original stereo signal or the supposedly enhanced DPL-II signals. Both are still basically two-channel. Thats the purpose of DPL-II anyway, to enhance stereo sources and spread them out convincingly over 5 speakers. Any sound enhancing algorithm like in a sound card can take advantage of the 'enhanced' stereo signal as well.

 

[darth maul]

I didn't need a lesson it what DPL II is, just asking if any sound cards can do it. The Audigy II does Dolby Digital EX, why in the world didn't they include DPL II I'll never know. DPL II doesn't need something encoded in its format to work. Its a great way to listen to CD's, VHS, and ANY other stereo source games included. Anywho, back to the orginal question boyz, do any current sound cards provide DPL II DECODING?

 

[deadseasquirrel]

nope, none do. but maybe you could find some way to rig it to a cheap-but-good receiver that can decode it. i recommend this one. might be a bit overkill for your puter, but its also good enuf for home entertainment use.

edit, just saw this thread.

deadseasquirrel

 

[MasterHoss]

Originally posted by: darth maul
I didn't need a lesson it what DPL II is, just asking if any sound cards can do it. The Audigy II does Dolby Digital EX, why in the world didn't they include DPL II I'll never know. DPL II doesn't need something encoded in its format to work. Its a great way to listen to CD's, VHS, and ANY other stereo source games included. Anywho, back to the orginal question boyz, do any current sound cards provide DPL II DECODING?

Well, the reason why Creative Labs didn't incorporate ProLogicII decoding capabilities with their Audigy2 is that the new CMSS (CMSS 3D as it is now called with the Audigy2) does a very nice job of 5.1 or 6.1 expansion from stereo sources.

Moreover, if you really want Dolby ProLogicII decoding done to expand your mp3 or CD music, try Cyberlink's PowerDVD XP 4.0 Deluxe or Intervideo's WinDVD 4.0 as both those softDVD players feature ProLogicII decoding options.

EDIT: To answer your question, no.

 

[darth maul]

Now we are getting somewhere. Should mention I have been looking for a solution for my main audio system. The problem is that my current reciever only has 5.1 analog ins (A Onkyo 919THX), its on board decoders are only pro-logic. So for the last few years I have been using a Denon AVD-2000 dolby digital decoder for DVD and CD playback. Well I have been missing out with DTS, DD EX, DTS ES, and of course DPL II. Since the industry has all but quit building add on DD/DTS/DPL II decoders I was hoping a sound card might do it all for me. I have been thinking about getting the Kenwood 6070 THX receiver and just use it as a DD EX/DTS ES/DPL II decoder since it has the needed 6.1 analog outs that I would need/want. But if I could get a sound card that does it all, well I think I could save some money. Well there you have it, hope that all makes sense why I was asking if any card did DPL II.