Cheapest sound card with DD live/DTS-connect

[Bossk128]

As title really, I'm thinking of experimenting in HTPC and would like a card which outputs all the sound over optical or coax (including games, movies, brower, and standard Windows sounds).

Is there anything around 20-30 pounds?

Assuming it's all a digital path until it hits my amplification, will a cheap DD-live soundcard be just as good as e.g. a Xonar?

 

[Confused]

Almost any card with optical will output all sound via optical.

It will output everything as 2 channel PCM, apart from sources that are already AC3/DTS (DVDs for example).

If you want proper 5.1 surround sound via optical from *other* applications (like games), you will need DDL/DTSC.

If you can deal without surround from games, then any card with an optical output will be fine. If you can't - then you'll need one that does DDL/DTSC.

I ordered a Xonar DX yesterday, which should have been delivered today, so I'll be playing with it tonight to see how well the DDL works, and if it works as I wanted (see my previous thread in this section from the last couple of days - "5.1 in games via optical" for more information on my situation)


Garry

 

[Bossk128]

Thanks for that- yes I already know that I need a DD Live card. Your previous thread was pretty informitive, thanks- same question as me really (I failed to search properly....). The Xonar looks like a good card, however as you alluded to in one of your posts, analogue is not important for me so if there is a cheaper card that supports DD Live, that would be better. In essesnce, using the sound card just as an audio transport and letting the AV amp DACs do all the hard work.

It seems though that DD Live is a high end function, and there are no budget cards with this. I'll research the X-Fis, maybe I can get a cheap 2nd hand one on MM/auction or something.

Cheers.

Edit: Didn't realise the DX was as 'cheap' as that, my bad. I assumed they all were £90-100. I'd be interested in your findings when you get a chance to try your card out

 

[Confused]

Got the card installed last night - set the output to 6 channels, ticked the "SPDIF" box and set Dolby Digital Live, and it works exactly as I wanted it to

Fired up GRID last night too, and got sound from all around me

 

[Bossk128]

6 channels, as in 5.1? What is the PCM setting for, is it sent as PCM over the connection? What connection did you use (coax or optical)? I take it your amp says "Dolby Digital" on the front panel.

Will the DTS equivalent send a higher bitrate (1.5MBps)?

Do you think that the sound quality over digital would be improved over the higher specced Xonars? In my mind I think no, seeing as your external hardware is doing the work......

I may shortlist this soundcard

 

[Confused]

Sorry, I meant to say I ticked the "SPDIF" box for output... my bad!! (Fingers going quicker than my brain!)

Yeah, DTS Connect would almost definitely output in a higher bitrate than Dolby Digital, whether you will be able to notice the difference is obviously a personal thing!

I'm using an optical connection, and my amp does display "Dolby Digital", and shows an input feed of all 6 channels (5.1) whereas previously it would just display "Pro Logic" and only show input of 2 channels.

 

[Uriel]

The DX and D1 (recently announced PCI version) have exactly the same sound quality over optical than the higher specced Xonars. If you run Vista they're probably your best option.

If you're still using XP, you might consider going even cheaper. Vista changed the way DirectSound works in games and not all sound providers have released a fix yet, meaning surround sound doesn't work in older games. X-Fi, Audigy, Xonar and Realtek HD have had fixes released. In XP this doesn't matter, in which case you might consider other cards that have DDL or DTS connect. Some of the cheapest cards are based on the C-Media CMI8768+ (edit: please note only the '+' version of that chip does DDL) chip - I have a Club3D Theatron DD based on this in my second PC and it does a great job over a digital connection in XP, using DDL. A fix for these cards in Vista is promised but it's been delayed a couple of times now. Look out for that chipset though if you have XP though as it will do the job for a lot less money. Trust, Asonic, Auzentech, Turtle Beach, and various others have all released cards based on it.

 

[Bossk128]

Hm, thanks for that too. I've found something that may be useful, the "ASONIC C-Media CMI8768+8CH Sound Card". It's cheap so I may give it a punt!

Thing is, for analogue I'm currently happy with my Audigy 2, it's only hooked up to £40 5.1 computer speakers anyway

So the CMI8768+ chip should be fine for HTPC use.

If I get/fit this weekend I'll update.

 

[Uriel]

Hm, thanks for that too. I've found something that may be useful, the "ASONIC C-Media CMI8768+8CH Sound Card". It's cheap so I may give it a punt!

Thing is, for analogue I'm currently happy with my Audigy 2, it's only hooked up to £40 5.1 computer speakers anyway

So the CMI8768+ chip should be fine for HTPC use.

If I get/fit this weekend I'll update.

Yes - but as I said - no good for gaming in Vista (Edit: although more recent stuff will work). Are you thinking of putting these cards in the same PC? Could be a nightmare with drivers. Will be fine if separate machines.

 

[Bossk128]

If the gaming machine moves to the living room, then a swap. If not, seperate PCs. I agree, two sound cards in one machine for gaming would be hard work!
I'm sticking with XP at the moment until I have to change.


Totally OT, but Uriel, where did you get the AM2 daughter board? I used to have that mobo and thought it was a great upgrade path- but I never knew where to get one.

 

[Uriel]

Totally OT, but Uriel, where did you get the AM2 daughter board? I used to have that mobo and thought it was a great upgrade path- but I never knew where to get one.

UK based online retailer - so I can't say - would be classed as a competitor. They don't stock it anymore anyway.

I still have the a spare in the MM though.