SBLive Value vs SBLive 5.1

[Grendel99]

I was looking on Newegg for a soundcard, and saw that they had the SBLive Value for $40 and the SBLive 5.1 for $49. Whats the differnce? Aren't they based on the same sound chip? Isn't 5.1 just support for the 5.1 speaker setup?

Thanks

 

[rpeAMP]

Yes, they both use the same chip. The 5.1 card has the ability to decode AC-3 (5.1)audio signals without an external decoder. The card acts as a decoder. You would want to get this card if you had surround (4.1) speakers that did not have an AC-3 decoder.

 

[rpeAMP]

sorry double post....

 

[Kingofcomputer]

<< The 5.1 card has the ability to decode AC-3 (5.1)audio signals without an external decoder. The card acts as a decoder. >>

What a joke!

SB whatever doesn't have AC-3 decoder built-in.
You use the software dvd player with software AC-3 decoder to decode it.
what SB Live 5.1 different from previous version is just 6 ch analog out, so you can use cheap 5.1 speakers with 6 ch analog in, without spdif in and without built-in AC-3 decoder.

If you've 5.1 speakers with spdif in and built-in AC-3 decoder,
you don't need to buy SB Live 5.1, any sound card with spdif out is enough, the software dvd player pass the AC-3 signal thru spdif.