SB Live 5.1 versus non-5.1

[bubbles]

I'm thinking about buying the SB Live! Platinum. Apparently there's a plain Platinum package as well as a Platinum 5.1 version. As far as I've read, the difference is Dolby Digital decoding that comes with the 5.1 version. So:

1. Does anyone know of any other differences between the two versions?

2. When would I care about the Dolby Digital features (or any other features I don't know about) in the 5.1 version?

3. Why is the Platinum better than the other SB Live! cards?

Any help much appreciated.

 

[damac]

Im not sure about the differences between platinum except the 5.1 and maybe the live drive thing with its remote?

I just got the card over the xgamer just to have the best around and leave it alone. Im sure it has allot of ports I won't even use. I think the pci card is probably the same as the xgamer at its core with maybe differing ports? I think for use on the pc basically the sound features are the same.

anyway heres a link to creatives site maybe you can find out their?

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/platinum5.1/

 

[xtreme2k]

i thought the Platinum comes with a Live Drive

anyway the 5.1 will come into effect only with DVD Dolby Digital
other than that
i dont know of anything else is recoreded in 5.1 format

 

[HellRaven]

As they said, the only main difference between the live 5.1 and the regular live I am aware of is the 5.1 support. Besides that they are the same I think.

As to the Platinum, X-gamer, MP3 vs the Live

The platinum has a "Live Drive" that takes one of your front 5" bays with connectors you usually would find on the back. I think it also has a remote.

The X-Gamer/Mp3/Etc all those ones are the same as the Live except they have software packages. X-gamer comes with several full versions of games, Mp3 has some Mp3 software, etc.

 

[AMB]

If there is a price difference between the two, I would get the Non 5.1.

Basically, the new 5.1 offers DD 5.1 decoding, but if you already have a DD 5.1 decoder which come with a majority of Dolby Digital speakers, there is not much point buying it, apart from the remote control that I think comes with it.