Do PC Games require a sound card with analog speakers for 5.1 gaming?

[finbarqs]

I have a creative X7 LE connected to my Edifier S760D speaker system. It's pretty awesome. But I'm looking to get an A/V Receiver with the newer formats and a wireless sub a la Klipsch. However, that would make my setup invalid as the receiver does not support analog inputs for 5.1 like my S760D does. I'm planning on keeping my Edifier speakers and run it through the receiver, however, it's very likely i'll lose my 5.1 in my PC Games.

Sure I can do an optical out from my X7 to the receiver, but that sends a digital signal to the receiver, which means it's probably not going to be a 5.1 signal. Even an HDMI cable from my 1080ti to my A/V Receiver will mean the games must support the DTS or DD, which very few do and are rare, as opposed to the analog signal making 99% of my games 5.1

Any solution here guys?

 

[VirtualLarry]

The only thing I can suggest, is getting a sound card that supports DD Live (realtime 5.1 encoding support), and has an optical digital out. I'm not even certain there are any on the marketplace like that right now, you would have to research it.

That's a big downside with PC 5.1 setups, in order to get realtime 5.1 sounds from games, generally, you have to use your analog jacks. Of which, the full 5.1 or 7.1 in analog outputs from the back of a motherboard are becoming more rare, with everyone using optical or HDMI sound outputs. (I use HDMI, haven't touched 5.1 analog in years, but I don't game regularly anymore either. I used to own an Aureal Vortex PCI card, which had AWESOME directional audio for UT classic.)

 

[finbarqs]

I know my X7 has an optical out, but not sure if it encodes DD 5.1 Live.. it would be awesome if it did, so I can take advantage of the Black Friday deals on an Audio Receiver and a wireless sub...

 

[bfun_x1]

Does your motherboard support DTS Connect? If so I believe it can send 5.1 over optical to a receiver that support DTS.

 

[finbarqs]

My motherboard doesn't, but I heard that was crippled with Windows 10 anyways. So I think I know my solution here: I need to get rid of my Sound Blaster X7, and connect my HDMI on my 1080ti to my receiver via extra long HDMI Cord, connect receiver to T.V., tell my windows that I have a 5.1 setup (Or more if I decide to get more speakers) and the games should output 5.1 or 7.1 or whatever because games encode via LPCM 5.1 anyways, and I don't need a Sound Blaster for that anyways (Since EAX is long gone)

This should work right?

 

[bfun_x1]

It will work with complications. Audio wont pass through HDMI without video so if you use a second HDMI port for the receiver you may need to extend or duplicate your desktop to that port. If you run your monitor off the receiver you'll probably need HDMI pass through which might be limited to just 1080p or 4k (TV resolutions). Tech changes all the time so I might be wrong.

 

[finbarqs]

currently, I have a display port connected to my UW 34" and an HDMI connected to my 40" T.V.

I also have 2 longer HDMI cord connected to my PS4 and my Nintendo Switch that connects to the back of the T.V. and a HDMI splitter that splits the hdmi signal. Figured, I'm done with that splitter, and get a receiver. Now, all I need 2 hdmi cables that run to the t.v. and to the back of my PC. The PC will just be an input to the AVR, for the secondary monitor anyways, and the receiver will have 1 HDMI cable connecting to the T.V. I'll have shorter HDMI cables connecting my Switch, PS4, and my SNES Classic to the receiver. So Audio will only work (via receiver) if I switch it to the proper input. Otherwise, I'll use my headphones, and the hdmi audio should be disabled as well.

 

[shortylickens]

I think I know what the OP is getting at.
the vast majority of sound cards do NOT encode digital surround audio in real time for video games. If you want 5.1 audio in your games, you almost always have to use 3 analog stereo cables. This really isnt a bad thing, but it means a little more work on your part.
Having said that, I found out a long time ago that high quality 2 channel gaming is more than enough for me, so I usually use 2.0 audio with a home theater receiver. Its great, good for games.

You COULD buy a separate encoder box, but thats just an extra step and I dont see the point unless you are super attached to your current sound card AND speaker system AND really need surround gaming.

EDIT:
Just checked Amazon, couldnt even find an encoder that would do what you need. All I find was 300 decoders, and a handful of HDMI encoders. Thats all. I guess you'll need an amplifier that takes in 3 stereo inputs, which is quite common in computer speakers, and quite rare in home audio.

 

[finbarqs]

the reason why we have to use the 3 analog stereo cables is because of passing the 5.1 signal via LPCM as opposed to a compressed format (DD or DTS), so a DD Live or DTS Connect I would lose quality anyways. I believe with the HDMI passing 8 channels of audio through, I should be able to retain my 5.1 sound from my games, should the games be setup as "Surround" as opposed to "Stereo" If I wanted to do stereo, I would've just gone Headphones anyways. But it's a different experience. No receivers I know have have analog inputs for 5.1. If it exists, it doesn't exist in the US. (Just like 1080p HDR sets)

 

[XavierMace]

Either I'm missing something here or you guys are making this way more complicated than it needs to be. I've been using a TV/Home Theater setup for gaming for years.

Panasonic TV, Onkyo Receiver, Polk Monitors, Bic F12 Sub, HDMI output from PC via video card. Surround works just fine in all the games I play. Worked fine on my last two video cards before the 1080.

 

[fralexandr]

Edit i r confused

 

[finbarqs]

can I get any HDMI cable? Or do I need a minimum of HDMI 2.0? or 1.4?

 

[finbarqs]

Either I'm missing something here or you guys are making this way more complicated than it needs to be. I've been using a TV/Home Theater setup for gaming for years.

Panasonic TV, Onkyo Receiver, Polk Monitors, Bic F12 Sub, HDMI output from PC via video card. Surround works just fine in all the games I play. Worked fine on my last two video cards before the 1080.

and you're getting 5.1 (possibly more) on your setup? Does your AVR show a 5.1 setup? Or are you using some kind of phantom mix like Pro-Logic 2 or DTS Neo?

 

[XavierMace]

Yes, direct 5.1. Below example is playing a Bluray rip via VLC.

 

[finbarqs]

what about gaming? what does the receiver display? PCM 5.1?

 

[XavierMace]

Yes, I can upload a screenshot while gaming later if you want.

 

[aigomorla]

http://satsun.org/audio/

the game needs to support surround.
Then if the PC has the API it can decode it.

Some will not require a dedicated sound card, while others may.

 

[finbarqs]

So does that mean I would need to download extra stuff to make surround work in gaming? I'm pretty sure video will work fairly easily...

 

[aigomorla]

no it should come all in your drivers, its up to the API / Codec inside the game to interpret it.

So if its something which is standard in realtek drivers, then almost any realtek card will be able to do it.
While if its a Creative EAX feature, you will probably need to get a creative card for it to work.

 

[XavierMace]

As requested:

Tom Clancy's The Division.

Like I said, I've been running this type of setup for years, don't recall ever having any issues. Oldest game I've currently got installed is Star Trek Online which is a 13 year old engine. Surround works fine in that. I can see it being an issue with an EAX only game but when's the last time they made an EAX only game?

 

[finbarqs]

true... it's time to get rid of my X7! Thought I really needed that sound card, but the receiver is ultimately the way I wanted it to go.