DD / DTS 5.1 in Games - supported well?

[ssmacc]

Hello,

I'm thinking of getting a Asus Xonar DS 7.1 PCI Sound Card (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-006-AS&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=) so I can play games in Dolby Digital / DTS 5.1 via the optical out and in to my AV receiver.

As I'm new to this (only used on-board) can someone confirm modern games support this feature? I'm more than happy with the pass through of the on-board sound so only getting it for games.

While I'm asking is there any point of spending a little more and getting a more expensive card?

Thanks

 

[ssmacc]

As i understand it at the moment i only get 2.1 in games, one of the Xonar cards will give me 5.1 via the optical if the game supports it, is that correct?

My AV amp will decode and output 5.1, I'll hear people behind me etc?

 

[ssmacc]

OK, anks for the responses,

Last questions before i hit buy

Is 5.1 well supported in games and i assume the Xonar card will work fine with Windows 7 64bit? (read some horror stories about Creative cards and Vista)

 

[ssmacc]

As far as EAX is concerned, the DS is as good as any Xonar. If you want it perfect then an X-Fi is the only way to go (assuming you don't get any driver bother). Having said that to get better EAX compatibility than a Xonar with DDL or DTS connect you'll need to get at least a Titanium, which is twice the price of a DS.

The plot thickens...here's me thinking I'll get a sound card and enjoy 5.1 in games...

 

[ssmacc]

I've heard that beta drivers or a patch is needed for W7 but it works. Bledd posted about it here I think. I'm sure that full W7 drivers will turn up soon that don't need patching. Having said that, Asus don't tend to update their Xonar drivers very frequently.

I've just hit buy, can anyone send/post me a link to the patched drivers?

I went for the cheapist Xonar card OC sell (£36)

Cheers

Edit

Did a search and found them, cheers

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17985893&highlight=Xonar+driver