SPDIF surround output query.

[g8ina]

Morning all,

Still trying to optimise my HTPC. Has a Terratec soundcard onboard, and am using the optical output feeding my Denon 1803. Trying to get 5.1 out, but the card seems to only want to give optical out for stereo.

Looking in ebay at other 5.1 cards, they all seem to only want to give stereo out via optical, not 5.1 !

Am I barking up the wrong tree here ? Or are there cards which give true 5.1 outputs via optical/coax SPDIF ???

[dave87]

I think the Azuntech cards do upmixing into 5.1, not sure of many others (with the notable exception of SoundStorm on NF2) that do it..

[MadduckUK]

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/106539/rb/26140830094

seriously, get one of those. dirt cheap, works perfect and does exactly what your looking for (5.1 over optical)

got one to replace the fact my new mobo didnt have soundstorm'ness

[redlight]

This is what you want
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HDA-X-Plosion-...QQcmdZViewItem

Or the place everybody likes to hate has Auzentech X-Meridian
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...tid=11&subcat=

I have two X-Mystiques and they are excellent.

[MadduckUK]

yeah. only 8 - 10 times the price!

[redlight]

Each to their own if you want to put £10 pieces of junk in your rig thats up to you.

[MadduckUK]

oh yeah i guess your right, it could explode at any moment destroying the whole pc!

[g8ina]

I have to agree slightly redlight !

Based on the fact that my HTPC was a shoestring operation, I may just give the other cheapie card a tryout - £86 I cannot afford, that's for sure !

Terratec 5.1 Fun for sale

[redlight]

Originally Posted by MadduckUK

oh yeah i guess your right, it could explode at any moment destroying the whole pc!

I did not say it would. Just stating that it is cheapo junk and since you have a decent rig putting a piece of rubbish in it defeats the object of having a decent rig in the first place.

[99Flake]

Originally Posted by redlight

I did not say it would. Just stating that it is cheapo junk and since you have a decent rig putting a piece of rubbish in it defeats the object of having a decent rig in the first place.

On the otherhand it doesn't matter as you are only getting a digital source out. The Denon would doing all the work converting to sound so at that point it doesn't matter if your sound card cost £100 or £10 it will still sound the same.

[MadduckUK]

Originally Posted by redlight

I did not say it would. Just stating that it is cheapo junk and since you have a decent rig putting a piece of rubbish in it defeats the object of having a decent rig in the first place.

you havent used this card obviously or you wouldnt have this opinion, please tell me what apart from the price makes this "junk".

[dave87]

I thought it used the same chip as the Azuntech card?

[MadduckUK]

CMI8768+ http://www.cmedia.com.tw/?q=en/PCI/CMI8768_plus

which was in the Auzentech X-Mystique card.

i guess redlights opinion is valid then, and he uses cheap crap aswell?

[redlight]

Yawn!! I am off to build my next rig out of components made with the cheapest parts I can find and I will cross my fingers and all will be alright. I am sure it will be since you say its fine. Right I am sure I will. If you are happy to plug any only crap into your MB carry on since you know better. Me no. End of story.

It may use the same chip but with that comparison you can say that about many parts. It is the sum of the whole thing that matters. Or we would all be out buying generic junk and saving ourselves a fortune.

[Skinleech]

I don't know your card, but with the Audigy 2, I need to specify that is uses a digital signal on the soundcard settings, and specify digital out in the media player (media player classic).

Look into those options before a new sound card as I'm sure it's bound to be that.

[dave87]

If I'm honest, as much as I'm a fan of expensive components, if a cheaper one will do, then I'm not going to spend eight times the price jus to say, I've got X...