Surround Sound In Counter-Strike Source?

[sitalchauhan]

My PC specs are in my sig. I have got a 5.1 surround sound system using the onboard sound on the Asus P5K Deluxe.
The onboard sound uses the AD1988B chip, which supports EAX 1.0 and 2.0. However, it does not support the newer versions of EAX after 2.0

I have played Counter-Strike 1.6 for years but now with my new system fully built and working, I am thinking of buying Counter-Strike Source because of the improved graphics and support for surround sound.

I was just wondering, does the surround sound in CS:S use EAX?

If it does use EAX, will I still get surround sound even though my chip only supports up to EAX2.0? (i.e. Will I still get surround sound but not all of the effects that are in the newer EAX versions?)

Thanks,
Sital

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I am running Windows Vista 32Bit incase that makes any difference...

P.S. I know that as gaming, I really should buy a seperate sound card such as the X-Fi to dully support EAX. I am saving up for a sound card but must put up with the onboard until I have got enough to get a sound card

[Nemz0r]

Hmm, sounds like the surround isn't working because of Vista -- they removed DirectSound, so only stereo works in DirectSound games. Though, I thought CS: S used Miles Sound, hmm . But adding to that I had no idea of sound engines, so perhaps Miles uses DirectSound calls?

[mcmiller]

i've had that issue just recently as well, as soon as i enable 5.1 it crashes

[sitalchauhan]

(EDITED POST AS FOUND NEW DETAILS)

Just found a good thread:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forum...d.php?t=572392

Counter-Strike Source runs only DirectSound.
DirectSound will obviously not work for me as I am using Vista and they completely removed support for it, so I wont be able to get surround sound in CSS on my system.

I guess I will just have to test surround sound in CSS myself by selecting 5.1 in the audio options, but I dont think its going to work

Here is a screenshot of the Audio Options in CSS:


Here is a screenshot of the audio options in CS 1.6:


EDIT: There is a workaround to get surround sound in Vista but only if you own an X-Fi sound card. You have to use Creative Alchemy, which then can use the DirectSound to produce surround sound.

[s_kinton]

Originally Posted by sitalchauhan

EDIT: There is a workaround to get surround sound in Vista but only if you own an X-Fi sound card. You have to use Creative Alchemy, which then can use the DirectSound to produce surround sound.

Creative ALchemy is also available for the Audigy series, but you have to pay for it.

Just buy a low end x-fi card, get ALchemy free and be happy

[Biscuit]

cant believe you people are recomending a vista user to buy a creative sound card! if your saving up then keep saving and get this one

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...source=froogle

Same features but without all the cheapo componants and driver issues. The digital ports are much better also as the creative variant uses that crappy mulitjack thing, its useless

[sitalchauhan]

The "Auzentech X-Fi Prelude" was actually one card that I have been looking into as an option, but it is quite expensive compared to the X-Fi.

Will Alchemy work on the Auzentech card so that I can get surround sound in vista with DirectSound?

EDIT: Found the answer to my own question. On another forum somebody posted:

"second deal breaker for me, also is no support for directsound to openAL converter aka Alchemy like product.
I called Auzentech and e-mailed c-media, got the same answer from both places. they will not provide any wrapper to translate directsound to openal in vista."

So looks like the Auzentech card wont actually run Counter-Strike Source in surround sound either

[Biscuit]

damn...

if its really that importaint to you then get an XFI but i would do some reserach into which model. Some of them (like mine Soundblaster XFI Extrememusic) have a tendancy to snap crackle and pop

[Agent]

Originally Posted by s_kinton

Creative ALchemy is also available for the Audigy series, but you have to pay for it.

Just buy a low end x-fi card, get ALchemy free and be happy

Or do the common thing that most self-builders are doing - Stop supporting Creative.
Pay for drivers? No chance....

[Agent]

Originally Posted by sitalchauhan

The "Auzentech X-Fi Prelude" was actually one card that I have been looking into as an option, but it is quite expensive compared to the X-Fi.

Will Alchemy work on the Auzentech card so that I can get surround sound in vista with DirectSound?

EDIT: Found the answer to my own question. On another forum somebody posted:

"second deal breaker for me, also is no support for directsound to openAL converter aka Alchemy like product.
I called Auzentech and e-mailed c-media, got the same answer from both places. they will not provide any wrapper to translate directsound to openal in vista."

So looks like the Auzentech card wont actually run Counter-Strike Source in surround sound either

I would be very surprised if there wasn't a patch released in the future for surround sound support for Vista. CSS is a huge game, player wise.

[sitalchauhan]

I think Ill just buy counter-strike source and play in stereo, and just keep my finger crossed that they sort the surround sound out in vista eventually
Ill probably hold off buying a sound card aswell until all this DirectSound controversy is sorted out and see if Microsoft are ever going to support DirectSound in Vista.