Hercules Gametheater XP, Acoustic Edge, or Sound Blaster Live 5.1?

[LehighBri]

I'm thinking about getting either of these three sound cards to accomodate my Klipsch Promedia 5.1 speakers when they arrive. I noticed that the hercules xp, acoustic edge, doesn't have dolby digital support while the sb live 5.1 does. Will this be a noticeable difference? Why would i want dolby digital anyway? Any suggestions? Thanks for the help!!!

 

[MasterHoss]

No, none actually decode DD 5.1 (AC3) or DTS audio streams. BUT they all have the ability to pass through the digital signal to a DD decoder that you can buy in stores. People here like the GTXP over the SB family. I like both. I have used both for my ProMedias and I have to say the GTXP makes my speakers sound better. Also, GTXP has the ability to support 7.1 speaker systems whenever PowerDVD or WinDVD releases software to support it themselves. Moreover, according to MaximumPC, the SB cards use up less CPU power over any other audio card (much to the disagreement to all the posters on here).

 

[MasterHoss]

More questions...here we go.

You would want DD to get the 5th channel but the ProMedia 5.1 will always (I think) produce the 5th channel in all instances using any 5.1 compatable audio card (Accoustic Edge, GTXP, SB Live! 5.1). Again, although none actually have a DD decoder, they all can produce the 5.1 sound in any software DVD player that is enabled for DD 5.1 sound (namely, PowerDVD3.0 Pro). The SB Live! cards, will always let all 5 speakers speak using the SurroundMixer, you can select 5.1 speaker setup (or do it in the Windows Control Panel). The GTXP does not allow this feature yet--I get 5.1 sound in DVDs but nothing else. I think the Accoustic Edge is more like the SB Live! 5.1

 

[erikiksaz]

just don't opt for the SB live if you want better sound quality, that's all i have to say.