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Want surround sound in games w/optical

S

SilverRyu

Member
Hey everyone,
I've got my new receiver and speaker system (Panasonic SC-HT40) hooked into my motherboards integrated sound (DS3, so its an ALC883) and I want to get 5.1 sound in games, especially Battlefield 2142. So far the best I can do is use Prologic 2 to fake 5.1 from just stereo input. How can I get the game to output a dolby DTS signal or something similar via the optical cable?
 
haha, i guess i should have specified that I'm not willing to spend any significant amount of money... $20-30 for some adaptor OK, but its not worth a $190 sound card
 
You're going to need to use analog connections to get 5.1 output from your soundcard.

Use three minijack --> 2 rca adapters.
 
Originally posted by: montypythizzle
which ones will do that jello just for my info
Click to expand...

Turtle Beach Montego
Bluegears X-Mystique
Bluegears b-Enspirer
AuzenTech XPlosion

etc.

You need something that says it can encode DD or DTS in real time, not just decode it.
 
thanks for all the help, i went with the Auzentech X-plosion. People reported some audio lag with the Montego, so I skipped it and it's Diamond clone
 
It's not just aboot the output channels, but the content and in that regard not all cards are equal. So, the $40 to $60 Audigy or X-Fi (DSP models) are best with either analog output or a software AC3 encoder (redocneXk) for digital output.

EMU10K2 : hardware OpenAL, 64 voices, EAX4
CA20K1 : hardware OpenAL, 128 voices, EAX5
CMI8770 : software DS3D translation, 64 voices, EAX2 (Auzentech actually recommends disabling)

Frankly, a better experience can be had from 2ch with maximum effects and full hardware processing than dumbed down 6ch.
 
Originally posted by: Auric
It's not just aboot the output channels, but the content and in that regard not all cards are equal. So, the $40 to $60 Audigy or X-Fi (DSP models) are best with either analog output or a software AC3 encoder (redocneXk) for digital output.

EMU10K2 : hardware OpenAL, 64 voices, EAX4
CA20K1 : hardware OpenAL, 128 voices, EAX5
CMI8770 : software DS3D translation, 64 voices, EAX2 (Auzentech actually recommends disabling)

Frankly, a better experience can be had from 2ch with maximum effects and full hardware processing than dumbed down 6ch.
Click to expand...

that is true and unfortunate. and also creative's fault.

 
so that software will do exactly the same thing as DolbyDigitalLive? I'd rather just use that than have paid for a card. damn

edit: looks like the software is a CPU whore, i'll keep the card
 
What CPU useage figures are you referring to? I only saw a few percent when tested. I can't imagine the hit being more than the sub-par performance of the C-Media clones, especially for OAL games for which they must use even more CPU cycles for the translation to DS3D. I game with headphones for the immersion/isolation though so don't really have need for it. FYI, ffdshow is an alternative for real-time transcoding of the occasional 6ch AAC.

I recently heard that the C-Media DD/DTS encoder actually does DA conversion for processing then ADC again for output (followed of course by the final DAC). If so, add the requisite compression and the fidelity can't be great -nevermind the basic content.
 
Originally posted by: Auric
Frankly, a better experience can be had from 2ch with maximum effects and full hardware processing than dumbed down 6ch.
Click to expand...

How can a gamer get directional sound (rear/front as well as left/right) from a 2-channel sound system?
 
Directional sound is not dependent upon output channels. Also 2ch does not exclude the possibility of simulated surround via more channels (think Dolby Pro-Logic and DTS Neo:6). Look up HRTF. X-Fi indisputably sports the best implementation available with its CMSS-3D, particularly with headphones.
 
The X-Meridian has Dolby Headphone. Creative Lab's CMSS3D hasn't a hope in touching that. CMSS3D sounds very Hollow in comparison.
 
Originally posted by: Auric
Directional sound is not dependent upon output channels. Also 2ch does not exclude the possibility of simulated surround via more channels (think Dolby Pro-Logic and DTS Neo:6). Look up HRTF. X-Fi indisputably sports the best implementation available with its CMSS-3D, particularly with headphones.
Click to expand...

I searched for HRTF.
http://www.answers.com/topic/head-related-transfer-function
I did not find anything about how only 2 channels can provide surround sound.

With only 2 points, you can define a line. To define a plane, you will need at least three points.

Can you provide a link that shows how this is possible?
Even better, do you have a link to a 2-channel sound card that advertises surround sound?
 
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