Sound card w/ SPDIF out

[killr Kadoogan]

I game quite often and have a 5.1 system running from onboard SPDIF. I really would like to get a good sound card that would allow me to use my optical cable.

I know very little about sound cards so any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Auric]

Well, the only real game cards are those based upon Creative DSP's meaning various of the Audigy series and the X-Fi's. The latter are not selling for much of a premium right now.

Then there is the optical question and since it is not included on the card an accessory is required. The cheapest and most practical is one of any number of audio brackets commonly supplied with mainboards (perhaps you already have one?). It is simply a matter of matching up the plug to the pins on the card (some wires potentially have to be moved within the plug).

Another alternative would be switching to coaxial cable instead especially since that is included on the card's own bracket. However, adding a digital I/O bracket is really still preferable so that the card's FlexiJack can be used simultaneously for a microphone (particularly for games with VOIP).

A completely different option is to forego support for EAX 3, 4 & 5, OpenAL and hardware rendering in some games by choosing a C-Media based card such as those from Auzentech, Bluegears and perhaps other generics. The advantage if you are set on optical is the inclusion of a jack on the card's bracket and also the option of a DTS and/or DD encoder for surround effects (within the limitations of a given game's support for the card). Also the compression reduces quality slightly and has the potential to lag. However, while I have heard of the latter occuring with the old Nvidia SoundStorm I have not about the C-Media solution (but it would be something to look into as well as general research and especially into the state of the drivers).

So really, the best overall option would be an X-Fi with a bracket and perhaps using optical output for movies and music but analog for games (thus getting 6ch real-time mixing output rather than the 2ch of SPDIF). Although you may be happy with 2ch matrixing (mock surround). If cost is no barrier Creative does offer an external hardware DTS encoder which would eliminate any compromise if you are still set on either SPDIF connection.

Just to be complete, there is a software DD (AC3) encoder for the Audigy series DSP which enables 6ch SPDIF without the support drawbacks of the C-Media solutions but with the drawback of still kind of being a work in progress.

I hope that helps

 

[DaveSimmons]

Stated another way:

Creative cards are best for gaming, but they must use analog connectors to game in 5.1, the digital out (even if you add brackets and whatnot) will be 2-channel stereo for games.

There are non-Creative cards that offer Dolby Digital Live real-time encoding of game surround sound to send over a digital cable, but they aren't as good for gaming as the Creative cards.

Creative won't let you game in 5.1 over digital because they are too lazy to add that feature to their $300 soundcards, even teh 133ta11ty ones.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Auric

So really, the best overall option would be an X-Fi with a bracket and perhaps using optical output for movies and music but analog for games (thus getting 6ch real-time mixing output rather than the 2ch of SPDIF). Although you may be happy with 2ch matrixing (mock surround). If cost is no barrier Creative does offer an external hardware DTS encoder which would eliminate any compromise if you are still set on either SPDIF connection.

Well...not exactly. The downside of an external encoder is more lag and the sound goes through a D/A conversion and then a A/D conversion and then another D/A conversion at the receiver/speakers. With the Auzentech there is only one D/A conversion

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Well...not exactly. The downside of an external encoder is more lag and the sound goes through a D/A conversion and then a A/D conversion and then another D/A conversion at the receiver/speakers. With the Auzentech there is only one D/A conversion

True, dat.

Dunno if Creative is so much lazy as just focussed on using the cards as the core to sell accessories. Why else eliminate crucial standard jacks in favour of a proprietary one? Madness. I'm hoping OEM models will rectify that.

Also, those who want to add digital I/O to the X-Fi without potential messin' with a mobo bracket but have no need for simultaneous Mic could instead use the Creative digital I/O module. Not as functional or elegant as a bracket (being a dongle) but there ya go.

In the olden days I had a cool li'l Hoontech optical/coaxial output adapter for my Live! Value which attached to the case where a mobo I/O blank would have otherwise held a secondary DB-9 serial port so it didn't even take up a bracket slot.

If you just wanted coaxial output simultaneously with Mic another option would be just to adapt or otherwise source a cable to connect directly to the board and feed it through a hole in the back of the case (remove or drill a bracket or elsewhere).

 

[killr Kadoogan]

Thanks for the replies guys.

While looking at the creative cards, I did see that the X-Fi cards come with the I/O Drive or whatever they call it. The only beef I have with this is that my case (Lian Li PC-S80) has a cover over the front, and i would have to have it open with a cable dangling (I am very particular with how my computer looks)

I really want to stick with a digital signal, so it sounds like my easiest option would be to go for a C-Media based card. Any recommendations/wisdom you could give?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: killr Kadoogan
Thanks for the replies guys.

I really want to stick with a digital signal, so it sounds like my easiest option would be to go for a C-Media based card. Any recommendations/wisdom you could give?

Well, you should either get the Auzentech X-Plosion now. Or, if you can wait, the X-Purity will come out shortly.

 

[McPudd]

Hi:

I'm using 2 of these cards.
One in my main XP PRO SP2 system and another in an MCE2005 system.
http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/products/soundcards/mtgoddl/

Turtle Beach Montego DDL 7.1 sound card (C-Media CMI8768
chipset) S/PDIF optical OUT to Denon AVR-3802 7x110W based HT System.

I only use the S/PDIF optical OUT.
The control panel applet it comes with lets me choose between 2 channel
digital audio or 5.1 DDL OUT.

My receiver has no problem distinguishing between a normal 2 channel or 5.1
encoded digital feed and decoding as necessary.

I don't notice any lag when I ask it to encode unencoded audio into 5.1 DDL
on the fly

Not expensive and TB has been around a while with a good rep.
Not as large a card as some others of this type.

Happy trailz,