Best soundcard/speaker combo?

[Seekermeister]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Seekermeister
During the installation of the Audio Console, it specifically says that it doesn't support audio DVD in x64. Maybe it will when I get my MCE installed.

I could see how DVD-A could be an issue in x64, but I think you should still be able to get 5.1 from video DVDs.

Perhaps it is possible, but in talking with others who had the problem of not getting 5.1 from video DVDs, I have never even tried. In addition, I use an OEM version of Cyberlink PowerDVD and it only has 2.1 sound as an option. I'm not sure about the registered version.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Seekermeister

Originally posted by: dBTelos
I ment most music.... Chances are the OP doesn't have a large collection of surround channel music (most people don't), he probably just has a bunch of MP3s (most people do), MP3s are only coded for 2 channels.

I don't know anything about MP3, because I generally buy the music that I want locally. There is no special form of CD to get 5.1 sound, so all of my CDs work that way. In any case, neither I or you know exactly what any particular person has or wants, unless they say so.

There is a form of CD that is 5.1...some discs are dual disc that includes 5.1 on one side and stereo on the other.

Also the audigy line can definitely do 5.1 from DVD's and the audigy 2 ZS can do 5.1 DVD-audio via analog connections.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Seekermeister

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Seekermeister
During the installation of the Audio Console, it specifically says that it doesn't support audio DVD in x64. Maybe it will when I get my MCE installed.

I could see how DVD-A could be an issue in x64, but I think you should still be able to get 5.1 from video DVDs.

Perhaps it is possible, but in talking with others who had the problem of not getting 5.1 from video DVDs, I have never even tried. In addition, I use an OEM version of Cyberlink PowerDVD and it only has 2.1 sound as an option. I'm not sure about the registered version.

Perhaps they didn't know what they were doing

 

[Seekermeister]

Perhaps they didn't know what they were doing

Perhaps, but since my DVD player software is limited, the only way that I can think of to change this is to run WMP, but for some reason it doesn't offer it when I run a movie. Besides, I like PowerDVD regardless of the sound. I may buy it later and see if it will give 5.1 or not.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Seekermeister

Perhaps they didn't know what they were doing

Perhaps, but since my DVD player software is limited, the only way that I can think of to change this is to run WMP, but for some reason it doesn't offer it when I run a movie. Besides, I like PowerDVD regardless of the sound. I may buy it later and see if it will give 5.1 or not.

in windows media player...you sometimes have to play the DVD first then go to tools->options then to the DVD section and I believe "advanced". Provided you told windows you have 5.1 speakers in the control panel you should be able to select it here.

 

[Seekermeister]

in windows media player...you sometimes have to play the DVD first then go to tools->options then to the DVD section and I believe "advanced". Provided you told windows you have 5.1 speakers in the control panel you should be able to select it here.

Hmm, the sound is set for 5.1 in the Control Panel, but when I went to the WMP settings that you mentioned, when I clicked the Advanced button, it opened PowerDVD. I guess that it is suppressing WMP somehow. I know that Creative's Media Source Player is doing that, because I set Nero Media Player as an option is File Types, and it appeared as it should, until I installed the new Creative Audio Console yesterday. Now when I play an audio CD, Windows only offers CMS, so I guess that I'll have to set it again.

 

[cheesehead]

Ever considered DIY?

For under 100$, you can build a very nice pair of speakers that will kick the unliving crap out of anything that Bose makes. (Bose is actually pretty good....when compared to things that cost 1/10th as much.)

Cambridge's old PCworks speakers (the REALLY old ones) and the FPS (Four-Point Surround) speakers are really, really excellent. B-stock is still availible in many places. I used some as my stereo speakers, and they blew away almost anything under 150$.

Or, if you want new and easy, get the Insignia NS-B2111's and a Sonic Impact T-amp. 90$ for the set, and they're supposed to be amazingly good; though I have yet to hear them, I'm inclined to go with the opinions of people who have been building speakers longer than I have been alive - and who own speakers worth more than some cars.

As an added bonus, the latter combo would work well for standard HT speakers, and is portable.

 

[Ronin13]

Originally posted by: Seekermeister

Perhaps they didn't know what they were doing

Perhaps, but since my DVD player software is limited, the only way that I can think of to change this is to run WMP, but for some reason it doesn't offer it when I run a movie. Besides, I like PowerDVD regardless of the sound. I may buy it later and see if it will give 5.1 or not.

The retail version of PowerDVD does indeed have support for multiple speakers (the options are: 2,4,6,7 or 8 speakers).