confusion about 5.1 decoding, sound cards/speakers....

[Qwest]

ok, this question might seem kind of dumb, but it would be appreciated if someone could answer this. If i get a sound card like the acoustic edge which doesnt have a dolby digital decoder, and i have speakers which DO have a decoder, will the dvd be decoded properly anyway??

Also, how about the other way around? If I get a sound card which has the decoder, but the speakers don't?

And finally, is it any better if the sound card AND speakers have the decoder??

Thx.

 

[LukFilm]

1) Yes.
2) Yes.
3) No.

 

[thephew]

If you are buying the AE, a hardware decoder would be totally unecessary. The AE without a hardware decoder is actually better than a normal 5.1 card with one, cus the AE gives you 5.1 for music, games, not just DVDs. A hardware decoder only lets you get 5.1 from DVDs, which most any 5.1 soundcard gives you anyway. I own the AE, its a sweeet card. Now if those damn Klipsch 5.1s would hurry up and get released I could tell you what 5.1 music sounded like