SPDIF to AC3 signal converter?

[FMJGomerPyle]

I'm looking for a program, driver, or something that will convert a SPDIF signal to an AC3 so that my receiver can play more than 2 channels when my sound card is sending 4. My receiver converts the SPDIF signal to PCM and just plays 2 channels, but when I use PowerDVD to watch a movie, it sends an AC3 signal and the receiver plays 6 channels. I have a SoundBlaster live platinum with the live drive (it's not the 5.1 version). Anyone have any ideas of something that could do this?

 

[Yoshi]

It don't quite work that way my friend. First off SPDIF is not really a specific surround format it is a standard by which digital audio signals are transfered. I don't care if the matereial you are listening to is 2 channel stereo or 6 channel Dolby Digital or 6 channel DTS. The signal is transfered from your computer (or standalone DVD player) to your receiver as an SPDIF signal follwing the SPDIF standard.

Now, I'm willing to bet that the SB Live despite the fact that it supports 4 channel sound and 4 speakers NEVER sends 4 channel data out of the digital output. One reason for this is probably the fact that there is no audio receiver out there designed to recognize a 4 channel digital audio signal. My second reason for this is a guess that SB's 4 channel scheme is not in fact 4 discrete channels it is probably 2 channel audio that is processed into 4 channels similar to the way Dolby Pro Logic takes 2 channels and makes them into 4 (left, right, center, and mono surround).

I have found that sending the stereo signal to my receiver and the receiver in Dolby Pro Logic mode yields good results and is what I would suggest you do. If you are using a real receiver forget about Creative's silly 4 channel crap.