Does onboard digital audio output now encode 5.1?

[Gimpymoo]

Back in the day, I remember that to game in 5.1 using optical output, you needed a seperate soundcard to encode a games realitime audio track. Dolby Digital and DTS connect are what were needed at the time and most onboard audio did not support it.

Is that still the case or do modern onboard solutions now do that?

if they do, any benefits of having a "premium" soundcard in the loop if using a decent amp to process it all?

Thanks.

 

[Gimpymoo]

I already have a Xonar DX myself, I was just wondering how far the onboard tech had come.

I suppose the demand is not there for 5.1 PC gaming?

If it was, it would surely be native to onboard audio by now?