Audio/Surround settings (Audigy 2ZS)

[Punkster20]

Hey.

I have a couple of questions..

I am currently using logitech's Z-5500 surround speakers with my Audigy 2ZS with Audigy 4 drivers.
I am also using 3 analog connectors (no coax or optical)

I was wondering if CMSS/CMSS2 should be turned on when playing games and watching DVD movies supporting 5.1 surround or leave them off?

And in what situations should i use CMSS? is CMSS usefull? What is CMSS exactly?

My external surround controler is on 6 channel direct, is that correct?

Also, should i use the AC3 filter that came with the XP-codec pack i downloaded or turn it off? And again, what is it usefull for?

Will surround sound different with coax or optical from analog? I hope not in my case.

Many questions here, and i hope you can answer them.

Sorry for my crapy english. Its not exactly my spoken language.

-Punkster

 

[Punkster20]

*bump*

 

[Schadenfroh]

I was wondering if CMSS/CMSS2 should be turned on when playing games and watching DVD movies supporting 5.1 surround or leave them off?

Leave it off, makes it sound like crap, IMO

 

[43st]

CMSS is a surround sound mixer that takes stereo sources and bakes them to 5.1. It's fake but some folks like heavy effects with music. It also confuses some games so be sure to turn it off before playing.

The AC3 filter only needs to be downloaded if you plan on mixing yourself. If you're only listening you shouldn't need it.

I don't think you'll hear any difference between optical and analog. If you're running cable a longer distance or have electrical interference then maybe optical is better. I'm not sure.

 

[brikis98]

IMO, the ONLY time you want CMSS is when listening to two channel (stereo) music. this will upmix it to 5.1 channels, so you get sound from all the speakers. it may distort the music somewhat, however, so audiophiles might want to stick with crystal clear 2 channel sound for their 2 channel (stereo) music.

don't use it for games - many games support 5.1 as it is and don't need any upmixing. moreover, some games have sound issues with CMSS enabled.

and NEVER use it for DVDs. Virtually all DVDs have the sound encoded in 5.1, so CMSS is completely unnecessary.

 

[imported_Neeraj]

Originally posted by: brikis98
it may distort the music somewhat, however, so audiophiles might want to stick with crystal clear 2 channel sound for their 2 channel (stereo) music.

That's right. Punkster20, do you not have an option called Stereo Surround next to CMSS and CMSS2? It'll take 2.1 audio, and spread it across your left and right surrounds. So you will hear the 2.1 music from all the speakers, left- and right-side without distortion.

If Stereo Surround is not in the list, maybe that's only for 7.1 configurations then. I'm on 7.1 and there's a Stereo Surround option under CMSS2. I keep this on all the time. 2.1 goes into surround from the left and right counterpart speakers, and 5.1+ channel audio stays in surround sound as it is encoded.

 

[Punkster20]

Neeraj: Actualy, i do have "Stereo Surround" under CMSS2 in the drop-down menu.
So if i turn that one on i will get the 2.1 stereo sound in all the speakers?

I'm not sure what you ment, but did you mean that even with the "Stereo Surround" option on i will get 5.1 surround from 5.1 sources like DVD movies, Games?

Also. will i get 5.1 surround from divx/xvid movies/series files that says AC3 5.1?

PS: so i should just turn off the AC3 filter that came with the codec pack i downloaded?
It's on by default.

-Punkster

 

[Punkster20]

Originally posted by: Punkster20
Neeraj: Actualy, i do have "Stereo Surround" under CMSS2 in the drop-down menu.
So if i turn that one on i will get the 2.1 stereo sound in all the speakers?

I'm not sure what you ment, but did you mean that even with the "Stereo Surround" option on i will get 5.1 surround from 5.1 sources like DVD movies, Games?

Also. will i get 5.1 surround from divx/xvid movies/series files that says AC3 5.1?

PS: so i should just turn off the AC3 filter that came with the codec pack i downloaded?
It's on by default.

-Punkster

*bump*

 

[oupei]

AC3 is dolby digital (5.1, EX) which is the surround sound format on pretty much every dvd, and you need a codec to decode it and stuff. The full versions of dvd softwares (windvd, powerdvd...) include software decoders for AC3. AC3filter is a free AC3 decoder. The Audigy 2 zs also has a hardware decoder for AC3 (and also DTS). i'm not sure which one is better, if any, but i use the hardware decoder on my A2ZS cuz it also does DTS. It was kinda buggy to set up and stuff though.

hope that helps.

 

[imported_Neeraj]

Originally posted by: Punkster20
Neeraj: Actualy, i do have "Stereo Surround" under CMSS2 in the drop-down menu.
So if i turn that one on i will get the 2.1 stereo sound in all the speakers?

I'm not sure what you ment, but did you mean that even with the "Stereo Surround" option on i will get 5.1 surround from 5.1 sources like DVD movies, Games?

-Punkster

I use Stereo Surround all the time. Basically, it'll take your front left speaker channel and copy it on your rear left speaker. And your front right channel will be copied onto your rear right speaker. So its basically copying whatever comes from the front left to all the other left speakers, and the same for the right.

This is better than CMSS/CMSS2 because they create a different environment by mixing the sounds with an ambiance. This can cause crackling sometimes. Creative say CMSS is used to enhance your DVD movie experience by adding this extra ambience affect as well as upmixing it. But, I prefer the DVD's own surround sound so it's more accurate.

So don't use CMSS, leave it on Stereo surround. It'll only be used when you're listening to 2.1 channel audio, like a stereo MP3, or a game that only supports 2.1. You'll hear the same sounds from the front left speaker across to your other left speakers, and the same sounds from your front right speaker to your other right speakers.

Other surround sound audio (like a movie in 5.1) will automatically disregard your Stereo Surround setting and play through the speakers that they're supposed to. So you can keep Steareo Surround enabled, and it'll only affect 2.1 audio. Your surround sound audio will come through the speakers that they're supposed to.