Creative X-Fi and Front Panel Audio Connectors?

[GTaudiophile]

Is there a way to connect the front-panel audio jacks of a typical PC case to a Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic?

 

[Lyfer]

I have the same question for the Live 5.1 and Audigy 2 OEM as well. (I know audigy has Front panel firewire connectors, but dunno about sound)

 

[orangat]

The pinout spec for the live and A2 is floating around the web. Its unofficial because the only way Creative wants to do it is for customers to buy the useless breakout box.

 

[PSUstoekl]

Originally posted by: orangat
The pinout spec for the live and A2 is floating around the web. Its unofficial because the only way Creative wants to do it is for customers to buy the useless breakout box.

If that's actually true, then I'm really pissed. Is there really no way for me to do it besides stretching my headphone cables around to the back of my PC? I have the vanilla x-fi card, and my only complaint is the lack of front-audio port on the card. wtf.

 

[Pariah]

Originally posted by: orangat
The pinout spec for the live and A2 is floating around the web. Its unofficial because the only way Creative wants to do it is for customers to buy the useless breakout box.

Not really. The problem is that the connections to the drive bay are all digital to preserve signal integrity as long as possible and to simply the connections as well. Connecting a digital signal to your front audio ports and then trying to connect analog headphones would not be smart or effective thing to do. I believe there is a way to connect to the front ports but it's not by using the drive bay connector.

 

[imported_g33k]

Originally posted by: orangat
The pinout spec for the live and A2 is floating around the web. Its unofficial because the only way Creative wants to do it is for customers to buy the useless breakout box.

Well its not quite useless. It simplifies the connections and gives you some extra port options. I don't think I would buy the platinum version if I could get front audio to my case though. The downside to the drivebay box is that you have two large cables stretching across your case possibly blocking airflow. And the external box is way to expensive.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Link to pinout?

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: Pariah

Originally posted by: orangat
The pinout spec for the live and A2 is floating around the web. Its unofficial because the only way Creative wants to do it is for customers to buy the useless breakout box.

Not really. The problem is that the connections to the drive bay are all digital to preserve signal integrity as long as possible and to simply the connections as well. Connecting a digital signal to your front audio ports and then trying to connect analog headphones would not be smart or effective thing to do. I believe there is a way to connect to the front ports but it's not by using the drive bay connector.

I didn't say to use the livedrive pins. There is an non-standard analog header on the ZS and possibly other models.

I meant crap and useless because it costs way to much money ($130) just to get front ports to work. The stupid proprietary headers (all the way from proprietary CD audio in old live cards) from what must be the biggest manufacturer annoys me.

And the vanilla X-fi which iirc still doesn't cannot support headphone and speaker jacks together which is a real laugh when I think about the thousands of new users having to reach back to unplug/plug just to use headphones.

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Link to pinout?

I don't know if the x-fi header is different but there are many A1/A2 links if you google. Here are some.
http://www.abxzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75473
http://audigy2zshowto.blogspot.com/

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: orangat

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Link to pinout?

I don't know if the x-fi header is different but there are many A1/A2 links if you google. Here are some.
http://www.abxzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75473
http://audigy2zshowto.blogspot.com/

The X-Fi's analog header is the same, someone here with a Dell swapped cards and unwittingly proved it. It's still a PITA to use however if you have to make your own cable.:|

 

[GTaudiophile]

Damn that's complicated!

 

[petesamprs]

Does anyone have an update on the x-fi and front audio ports?

 

[DrZDO]

I need a sound card too, and really want to use phones up front.

Does ANYONE make cards anymore with front jack connectors?