Does the 8500DV's software DVD decoder have Dolby Digital 5.1? Which software players have it?

[step-dawg]

Hi,

Does anyone know if the Radeon 8500DV's DVD player supports 5.1 sound? I have an audigy and would like to take advantage of 5.1 surrond sound. What other software decoders support 5.1? Thanks.

Step

 

[NeoMadHatter]

cyberlink powerdvd 4 xp and windvd 3 are the ones people are going to tell you to check out.

 

[step-dawg]

How about the 8500DV's software? any info on that? thanks.

 

[NeoV]

THIS says it does...

 

[NeoMadHatter]

* Actual Dolby® 5.1 AC-3 decoding is done by the external AC-3 decoder which is not included

fyi: taken from the ati site.

 

[step-dawg]

what does that mean then? Would my audigy suffice?

 

[DallasTejas]

Your Audigy will do the 5.1 decoding, so either player will be fine.

If you want to bump up to DTS, use the PowerDVD 4 software. I prefer it to the ATI player anyway. It finally supports the hardware assist from your ATI video card. The PowerDVD does software decoding for both 5.1 and DTS. I have a soundcard that doesn't have a built in decoder (your Audigy does). I added 5.1 speakers and the PowerDVD decoding sounds awesome using the software decoder.

I think the ATI player has little better picture, but the difference is small. The feature-rich PowerDVD makes the switch worthwhile.