Audigy NX2, Logitech Z640, Xbox and external decoder for dolby digital and DTS sound ????

[synapse17]

Hi,

I have Creative audigy 2 nx, an xbox and logitech z640 speakers.

My problem is that I need the external decoder ( AV receiver) to output sound through the logitech Z640 speakers.

I have an idea. Will this work ??

Connect xbox through optical out to optical in of external decoder, then configure the laptop with nx2 to 'pass through' dolby digital and dts to the external decoder.

Then connect the external decoder optical out to the nx2 optical in. The speakers are connected to nx2 analog connections front/center/rear.

My questions are

1. Is the pass through function on nx2 for sound from pc or is it for digital input/ output as well ?

2. Will the sound output from exernal decoder optical out be transmitted as decoded 6 channels and will nx2 be able to handle that format and forward it to the speakers?

Thanks in advance

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Sounds like that might work.

I have 4 comments that I'd like to make.

#1. I think this creative decoder would take your inputs easily and would output them to analog so you wouldn't have to do any looping back to your soundcard.

#2. If you're going to spend over $100 on a receiver or decoder, why not get something like z-680s with multiple inputs?

#3. I kind of like the receiver idea so that later on, you could easily upgrade to real speakers as budget allows but I'm not sure if it will work.

#4. Welcome to Anandtech

 

[synapse17]

Thank you

The problem with audigy nx2 is that it will decode dolby digital only if it is from an internal source ( read as PC) but will not decode from any other external digital input such as xbox advanced av pack. Also, it does not allow dts decoding. So buying an external decoder such as home theater AV receiver makes sense.

The decoder I am considering is JVC RX8030.

As you already said I can only build this piece by piece and want it to work until this project is completed.

The creative decoder is not decoder but usb soundcard Audigy NX 2.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

My friend has a JVC RX8030 I think... I know it's JVC for sure and has the lcd remote. It was a nightmare for him to setup. It doesn't have an OSD and overall it's of cheap quality.

Have you thought about buying a refurbished unit? For ~$150 or $160 before shipping you could get a mid level onkyo or a denon. That would offer you better quality than a receiver made by JVC.