Definitive answer needed: SB Live series

[BlackFalcon]

Will the digital spdif output on the soundblaster live cards work with speakers that are not made by creative/cambridge? I've seen people say that the port works exclusively with soundblaster speakers. Specificly I'm looking to hook either a SB L x-gamer or mp3 to a MIDILAND S4-8200 system. If you have experience with this combination or if you know if the SPDIF is proprietary please respond.

 

[John]

It is NOT proprietary. My bedroom PC has a Live! value (ct4830) and I have the Harmon Kardon HK 595's hooked up using the supplied HK digital cable and it works great!

 

[AMB]

Yes it will work but you will need an adaptor. I think you will only get the front channels, not the rear. I think the only thing specified for Creative speakes is the 9-pin DIN output.

I think the Midiland S4-8200 are the Dolby Digital 5.1, have you thought of getting the Creative Live Drive! to get Ac-3 DD 5.1 pass-thru.

 

[Wizkid]

You don't need a live drive to do AC-3 (dolby digital passthrough). All you need is an RCA->Minijack converter cable and a live card with digital out (such as the new revision of the value, and the MP3+, etc). Just plug the minijack connector into the digital out on the back of the live and the RCA plug will go into the dolby digital receiver (such as a standalone receiver or one built-in to a set of speakers).

This procedure works perfectly fine and I used a similar setup for a few months before I moved to TOSLINK with a hoontech adapter

 

[AMB]

I only thought that you could do it with the live drive and with the Sp/DIF on the Sb Luive, I thought it was four point output. There has been much debate over this so I guess you are right.

Are the Midiland S4 8200 good?

 

[Wizkid]

The live drive gives you front and rear digital out, but that is not the same as AC-3. You only need one connection to get 5.1 AC-3 Surround sound because of the encoding method.

Plus, most receivers and speakers don't support dual digital inputs at the same time. I have never seen the S4-8200's so I don't know about them....