Sound card problem-PC gurus needed

[buddhika]

:thumbsuplease help me with this sound card problem.
I bought a Ectiva 5.1 sound card(i think ectiva is a division of creative.)
Im using Win98 (sometimes XP also)
I install the driver.
Its working ok but it does nt output 6 channels when playing mp3 and other stuff, (I use winamp5, media player)
in 98 it doesnt even outputs 6 channels even its a 6 channel audio file(in xp it did)

1.Is it normal?
2.Is there a way to change the settings?(in 98 i cant set the surround setting, it changes to stereo when I restart)
#.Is there any CREATIVE software called CMSS or something that fix this problem?
4.Any 1 got new drivers for this Sound card?

Thankyou your help is highly regarded.

 

[OdiN]

Well 98 may not be supported for surround? Depends on the driver you are using.

Also an MP3 is not a surround-source and as such will not play on all speakers. I believe you can upmix with Windows Media Player 10 but I'm not sure.

CMSS has to be supported by the drivers it is not extra add-on software. It will do multi-speaker surround form a stereo source, but it won't be true, directional sound like a DVD movie would be - it would just take the left and right front channels and play them through the rear channels (usually reduced volume levels too). CMSS may add special little effects and such as well...the EAX stuff lets you emulate music playing in a hall or stadium but I find that those just sound like junk.

 

[PurdueRy]

normal mp3's are stereo

 

[doggyfromplanetwoof]

MP3's can emulate with players/plug-ins.

Use your soundcard software to outsource the 5.1 channel, not windows.

 

[buddhika]

Thanks for reply

But the problem is theres no additional software in the driver cd

Where can I get CMSS (download from)
If any can please mail me cmss can you???

Thanks

 

[doggyfromplanetwoof]

Try Creative.com driver section? That card/chip is made by creative.. Maybe use the Live! 5.1 as a model for that card.