Sound Blaster Audigy 2zs setup with Logitech Z5500

[PurdueRy]

The hum is probably a ground loop. If you read up on how people solve that problem you might be able to to

 

[Mike89]

There seems to be misstatements here about playing Dobly Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 through analog.

Dolby Digital and DTS Digital is just what it says. It's digital, not analog. Playing it though analog is not the same thing at all.

If you have the same Z-5500/Audigy 2 that I have (I wrote a guide on page 3 of this thread) then you HAVE to have the digital connection to take advantage of it.

It might be 5.1 sound through analog but it's not Dolby Digital or DTS.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Mike89
There seems to be misstatements here about playing Dobly Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 through analog.

Dolby Digital and DTS Digital is just what it says. It's digital, not analog. Playing it though analog is not the same thing at all.

If you have the same Z-5500/Audigy 2 that I have (I wrote a guide on page 3 of this thread) then you HAVE to have the digital connection to take advantage of it.

It might be 5.1 sound through analog but it's not Dolby Digital or DTS.

You are halfway right. I just referred to my receiver's instruction manual to verify. You are correct in saying that DTS can only be achieved via a digital connection on MOST players. With players with 5.1 out and a DVD player that supports DTS decoding this can be achieved through the analog connection, and it IS DTS.

The same is true for dolby digital but most all players can decode this through analog connections. It too, is also still dolby digital. Digital refers to the way it is encoded, not the way it is transmitted.

So, for those of you who didn't read that. DTS and Dolby digital do not need a digital connection in all cases. DTS needs it often, but not always. Digital refers to the fact that it is encoded digitally in the source, not that it is transmitted via a digital connection.

 

[Mike89]

With the Z-5500/Audigy 2 set up, only the digital connection will play Dolby Digital and/or DTS as the Z-5500 does all the decoding. Sound card and DVD software decoding has to be disabled.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: gshock888
nothing bad about analog. AFAIK they sound the same. but my z5500 has those coax/optical inputs! it'd be a shame to let them go to waste.

anybody? help?? 🙁

If you have REALLY good speakers, you will notice a difference with Digital VS Analog.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Mike89
With the Z-5500/Audigy 2 set up, only the digital connection will play Dolby Digital and/or DTS as the Z-5500 does all the decoding. Sound card and DVD software decoding has to be disabled.

well in this case this is true. However, in most cases it won't prove true at all. That is just one specific case. Good point for those with the Z-5500's though.

If you have REALLY good speakers, you will notice a difference with Digital VS Analog.

Analog connections with proper shielding prove to be superior in some cases. One connection isn't specifically superior to the other

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: Mike89
With the Z-5500/Audigy 2 set up, only the digital connection will play Dolby Digital and/or DTS as the Z-5500 does all the decoding. Sound card and DVD software decoding has to be disabled.

This is not true. Your speakers will be receiving the 5.1 signal that has already been decoded by the soundcard over the analog connections. Just like an MP3 is a "digital" format, it can be played over analog lines if it is properly decoded first.

 

[PurdueRy]

orrrrr....your wrong lol. Mike89 I don't know since I have a receiver setup. I use both analog and digital connections.

 

[Corpsman]

OMG, confusion and a tremendous waste of time I have had today. After spending 10 minutes arguing with the guy from Radio Shack that a Digital Coaxial cable is NOT a cable from old school days that used to hook up antenneas to TV's (I actually had to find on in the store to prove to him that Digital Coaxial was a real thing) I ended up going home with an audio adapter that 'Accepts mono phono plug Fits 1/8" stereo phone jack. But this did noe provide a digital sound for me. So the WTF am I supposed to do to get both analog and digital?? All I did was connect the digital coax to the 5500 and then to the adapter and then to the Audigy1 ZS card. I hit Digital only but the control box on the 5500 said no information detected, or something like that. Di d I get the wrong connecter?? Please help!

 

[Corpsman]

Originally posted by: Elliotgb
Hello

I am by no means an audio expert, but I have done some hookupsand configs of PC's with speakers, etc.

I also have an Audigy 2 ZS card and I am getting the Z5500's soon.

This is what I found from support at the Logitech site at logitech.com.
Let me know if this helps!

I think what you need to do if you are using an coax connection from the Logitech controller to your soundcard: you need to disable the digital decoding that goes through the soundcard and enable the controller to handle the digital decoding on its own.

Here's the step by step instructions:


How can I get Digital 5.1 Surround Sound on my Z680/Z5500 via a Sound Blaster Audigy 2?

Answer
The Z680/Z5500 come equipped with both digital coaxial and optical inputs. The unit also contains a digital decoder that can decode either Dolby Digital or DTS signals, which you may connect to your computer by a 75ohm digital coaxial cable or standard optical cable. The onboard decoder must be used in order to experience true 5.1 surround sound. To use the Z680/5500 onboard decoder, the speakers must be connected to your sound source or PC via digital optical or coaxial cable and the "effect" setting must be set to PL2 Movie for DTS and Dolby Digital on the Control Pod. In general, you must disable any software and/or hardware decoder on your PC. You will need to do this because the Z680/Z5500 decoder will not be able to decode an already decoded signal. If a software or hardware decoder on your PC is active, the Z680/Z5500 will play the audio in only 2 channels, rather then 5.1. You must also remember that the source of the audio must also support 5.1 Dolby Surround or DTS, such as DVD movies and some video games.

Step 1: Before configuring your Sound Card
As stated above, you'll need to disable your onboard hardware decoder. To do so, you'll first need to go to the Creative Labs website and download the latest software and firmware update for your Audigy 2 sound card.

Step 2: Configuring your Sound Card
Once you've downloaded and installed the latest updates for Creative Labs, click the Start button, go to Programs, select Creative, then to Sound Blaster Audigy 2 menu, and finally select Creative Audio HG. A window will pop up; double-click on the "device controls" icon. Another window will appear in which you'll need to select the Decoder tab. In there, you will see two options. Select the second option, which states "SPDIF Passthrough (dolby digital/DTS out)". This will turn off your onboard decoder and let the Z680/Z5500 do the work. Then click close.

Step 3: Configuring your Speaker Settings
Now, you'll need to go into the speaker settings control panel. To do this, you'll need to go to the Start menu, Programs, Creative, Sound Blaster Audigy 2, and then click on Creative Sound Mixer. In this new window, you'll see three icons at the bottom. Click on the second speaker icon. Now from the drop down menu, select 5.1 as your speaker selection. Then check "synchronize with control panel". Also, make sure "digital output only" is selected. Close the speaker settings window and restart your machine.

Step 4: Testing your Sound Card
Once your computer has restarted, go back into the speaker settings. This time, click on the "channel" button. This will test all your speakers one by one. You should hear "front left"... "center" ..."front right" and so on, coming from each speaker.

Notes:
Now you should be setup for digital surround sound although there are a few things that you'll need to take note of to get DVD's and games to work properly on your computer. Inside your computer, there must be a digital audio cable connected to your DVD-ROM to your sound card. Also, the DVD-software may have an option for software decoding and this option must be disabled. Finally, the DVD movie or game you are using must support 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS. Sometimes you must go into the audio menu of the movie or game and set it to 5.1 DTS or Dolby digital. If you are still experiencing problems with digital 5.1 surround sound, you'll need to contact Creative Labs or the software player manufacturer you are using.











😀

I followed these directions to a tee. But when I check THX Optimization in Star Wars I only get sound from the front three speakers. The connector I bought was a Mono-toMono 1/8 to RCA connector that plugs into the Soundcard and to a Digital Coax cable. What am I doing wrong?

 

[PurdueRy]

what really matters is when you play the movie, do you get all the channels playing. Dont' worry about all those tests, many apply only to analog connections

 

[Corpsman]

OK, Using the above mentioned adapter (Basically just a pass through connector) and realizing that I forgot to disable the software decoder I am now getting the movies to play in 5.1 Digital. The real test is figuring out how to switch back to analog for Games. It would be really nice if someone with more talent than me would write a simple little program that all you had to do is click one button and it automatically adjusts the Soundcard setting to toggle between Analog and Digital.

 

[tuckwat]

First off thanks for the great thread - currently i'm using an old SB Live! value card and simply have a 3.5" Stereo cord connecting the card to the back of my 5500 pod, and selected PLII Music. With winamp + dfx it sounds pretty good for my mp3s. How much am i missing from using an audigy ZS with analog (3 stereo cords)?

Thanks!

 

[PurdueRy]

um not much for music, considering music is for the most part recorded in stereo. You can put some effects on it if you use all three analog cords. But unless you play games, not much

 

[Mike89]

This is not true. Your speakers will be receiving the 5.1 signal that has already been decoded by the soundcard over the analog connections. Just like an MP3 is a "digital" format, it can be played over analog lines if it is properly decoded first.

It is absolutely true. You are talking about the analog connection. I'm saying if you want the digital connection to play either Dolby Digital or DTS using the Audigy 2 with the Z-5500 (through the coax cable), you HAVE to have the Audigy 2's decoder disabled along with the DVD software decoder also disabled. Otherwise you will get no sound at all unless you switched the Z-5500 control pod back over to analog (in that case it wouldn't be using it's digital decoder any longer). (Can't send a decoded digital signal to another digital decoder and the Logitech Z-5500's digital decoder cannot be turned off). Anolog is a different deal here and I was not talking about that.

I can't speak for another soundcard/speaker setup but I can certainly speak for the one I have.

 

[PurdueRy]

EDITED FOR CORRECTNESS SEE BELOW

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Mike89

This is not true. Your speakers will be receiving the 5.1 signal that has already been decoded by the soundcard over the analog connections. Just like an MP3 is a "digital" format, it can be played over analog lines if it is properly decoded first.

Read this over a 5th time and I see the point you are trying to make. The sound blaster audigy 2 cannot decode a signal and send it out the digital out. The only way to accomplish this is to send it out the analog out. This is because Creative is lazy and people are satisfied with what they have. Soundstorm would decode encoded material and send it out the digital out but that was the exception.

So he is right in saying that you need the passthrough set for this setup if you want to playback DD5.1 or DTS. I'm sure we understand what you were tryin to say we just didn't understand the situation you were referring to.

 

[Jorge C]

Hi,

Can anyone explain why I can play movies from using the DVD player and having DDigital decoding and I do not have the cable that connect the DVD player to audigy? (I used power DVD and have activated SPIDF out)

The problem that I still didn't fix is to ear music in media player classic because I don't know how to activat SPIDF.

Everything works Ok. I also can change to direct inoup and have 5 chnls"
The only thing I done was select SPDIF Passthrough...

Bye

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Jorge C
Hi,

Can anyone explain why I can play movies from using the DVD player and having DDigital decoding and I do not have the cable that connect the DVD player to audigy? (I used power DVD and have activated SPIDF out)

The problem that I still didn't fix is to ear music in media player classic because I don't know how to activat SPIDF.

Everything works Ok. I also can change to direct inoup and have 5 chnls"
The only thing I done was select SPDIF Passthrough...

Bye

I'm kind of having trouble figuring out your question... are you asking how the sound is being transferred to your card without a digital cable? The audio information is being sent through the IDE cable if that's your question.

Are you asking how to get DD decoding from your card when it's not working?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Jorge C
Hi,

Can anyone explain why I can play movies from using the DVD player and having DDigital decoding and I do not have the cable that connect the DVD player to audigy? (I used power DVD and have activated SPIDF out)

The problem that I still didn't fix is to ear music in media player classic because I don't know how to activat SPIDF.

Everything works Ok. I also can change to direct inoup and have 5 chnls"
The only thing I done was select SPDIF Passthrough...

Bye

Windows uses digitally transferred music from the DVD player to the Sound blaster. This is why you don't need to use the analog cable to connect your DVD player/CD player anymore

 

[Jorge C]

Sorry for my poor English,

One condition that was referred here so that logitech z-5500 decoder work ok with coax cable and Dolby digital works was:
"...there must be a digital audio cable connected to your DVD-ROM to your sound card"

I wanted to say that I do not have that cable connected and I see movies with Dolby Digital just ok using logitech z-5500 and Audigy 2 SZ. (In the soundthouch it appears ?Dolby? Digital).


Bye

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Jorge C
Sorry for my poor English,

One condition that was referred here so that logitech z-5500 decoder work ok with coax cable and Dolby digital works was:
"...there must be a digital audio cable connected to your DVD-ROM to your sound card"

I wanted to say that I do not have that cable connected and I see movies with Dolby Digital just ok using logitech z-5500 and Audigy 2 SZ. (In the soundthouch it appears ?Dolby? Digital).


Bye

I'm using a Chaintech AV-710 with digital optical out and I don't have the digital cable running from my DVD drive. It works just fine that way. I'd imagine that all digital cards would be able to accomplish the same thing.

Thanks for the tip for other users.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Jorge C
Sorry for my poor English,

One condition that was referred here so that logitech z-5500 decoder work ok with coax cable and Dolby digital works was:
"...there must be a digital audio cable connected to your DVD-ROM to your sound card"

I wanted to say that I do not have that cable connected and I see movies with Dolby Digital just ok using logitech z-5500 and Audigy 2 SZ. (In the soundthouch it appears ?Dolby? Digital).


Bye

That guy doesn't know what he is talking about because he is confusing the ANALOG sound cable with a digital one. The need for those dropped out a while ago, don't worry it will work.

 

[Jorge C]

I know that it works fine, it was just an observation.

But I find out why they refer that, ...., win XP allow now that digital signal arrive to sound card (through digital channels), but win 98 and 2000 do not have that capability, and in those cases it was necessary the cable that they refer (Digital out from optical unity to sound card, 2 pin cable).

One thing that I still can not get is play music cd using media player classic and take advantage of digital signal (DTS or DD)

Cya

 

[PurdueRy]

music is not recorded in DD or DTS