PowerDVD in Windows 2000?

[jaggrey]

I'm reformatting this week and plan to go Win2k all the way instead of this dual-boot I got going on now. One last concern is with my DVD software...I know it will work but I'm concerned about the surround sound. I have an SB Live 5.1 coupled with my Altec Lansing ADA890s to get my surround sound. I've heard rumors that this doesn't work in Windows 2000. In Windows ME I've been using PowerDVD v2.55....should I use this or v3.0 in Windows 2000?

 

[John]

I believe the AC-3 passthru is the only thing that isn't working with Liveware!, so that means PowerDVD (or any software) will not give you true AC-3 sound in Win 2K.

 

[NFS4]

I've used both 2.55 and 3.0 in Windows 2000 with no problems.

 

[potz]

3.0 works in W2k just fine for me.

 

[jaggrey]

Is there any reason I should install 2.55 instead of 3.0? It would freeze on my roomate's comp, which was fairly recent (Duron 800, 256MB PC133, Epox 8KTA3).

 

[jaggrey]

Turns out I had v2.55 already installed on my current installation of Win2k. That version did not have "Use S/PDIF out" as an option, though in WinME it did. (Which supports what John said) However, I uninstalled that version and installed version 3.0 of PowerDVD, which ended up having that option. I put in the Matrix and went to the scene where Neo & the girl (can't remember her name) went to save Morpheus (the helicopter scene). It was amazing!! From what I could tell, all 4 speakers were active and they all had different information (I heard stuff coming from behind me).

I think I'm going to take the plunge now. No more Windows ME for me!

 

[bacillus]

hmm, John seems to have changed his looks yet again!

 

[John]

Brandon & potz, he knows that it will "work", but I think his question was aimed at "surround sound" which could be interpeted as Pro Logic or AC-3 (Dolby Digital). I chose to address the AC-3 since Pro Logic still works in Win 2K.

I am not sure why Creative never fixed the AC-3 issue in Win 2K, that is ludicrous.

 

[jaggrey]

I dunno what kind of sound it is that's coming out of there, but I put my speakers on Dolby Digital, and it appears to have 4 different channels (well 5, my speakers simulate the center channel via the front speakers). I'm assuming it's 5.1 sound I'm getting, since I can't really tell.

 

[superbaby]

This should help you guys out:

http://www.3dsoundsurge.com/drivers/Live/Windows2000.html

 

[Adrian Tung]

Here's another way to get AC3 out of Win2K and PowerDVD:

Get your Win2K CD and extract dsound.dll from it. Place that file in your PowerDVD folder and set the audio output in PowerDVD to SPDIF. That should do the trick, no need to mess around with the drivers.


atwl

 

[jaggrey]

On that link that was posted, I have the newer drivers. Also, he points out this under "Known Issues":

AC3 Support is missing (available in the Live 5.1 cards unless you install DirectX8).

I have a Live 5.1 card, so (A) does this mean that what I heard is what I'm supposed to hear?
(B) If I install DirectX 8 I will loose this functionality?