How do I get 5.1 from onboard SP/DIF?

bobboberts · 8 Mar 2014 at 22:31

I've just got a Gigabyte Sniper motherboard, which has onboard sound provided via a Sound Blaster Recon 3D. There is a optical out on the back panel and I have that connected to (via a hub) to my amp. But no matter what I do, I can't get anything other than 2-channel sound. The motherboard manual just says connect either via optical or coaxial (I've tried both) and you'll get 5.1 but I tried some test videos on Youtube and...nothing.

This is, incidentally, exactly the same issue I have with the previous dedicated card I had (a Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme Audio) - I've never been able to get it to work. I am hopefully missing something really, really stupid here, so please tell me, because this has frustrated me enormously since I originally got the X-Fi on my previous build 6 years ago!

Edit: I should add that I've tried it with the X-Fi too and that doesn't seem to work either. For the Recon3D in the sound options panel it lets me configure speakers, but no sound comes out when I do the test. For the X-Fi it would never seem to let me even see any speakers, let alone test them. I run Windows 8.1, if that makes a difference (used to be on Vista).

bobboberts · 8 Mar 2014 at 23:46

So if I want to convert a stereo mix to 5.1 I need to run analogue leads, correct? You can't do that via optical?

bobboberts · 9 Mar 2014 at 00:44

Well I hadn't noticed the setting you posted there, so thanks for that, however it still only plays out of the front speakers (though that's more than it was doing before). The test signal for the sub doesn't get picked-up by my receiver, either.

bobboberts · 9 Mar 2014 at 00:50

jh30uk said:
Depending on the card, just showed the Z series can do it.

You need to read up on your cards features.

http://uk.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-recon3d

Also do not think your Extreme audio (worse cut down card ever) supports DTS Neo.

The problem is that because the Recon3D is on the motherboard, neither the Gigabyte or Creative websites seem to cover it with any support.

bobboberts · 9 Mar 2014 at 09:47

I've got the G1 Sniper Z87.

Like I say though, I haven't got it to work with my X-FI Extreme Audio card, which surely does do encoding on the fly?

I accept that I won't get DTS or DD for everything, but is it not possible to get the 'Play stereo mix to digital output' option to work through all channels? Currently it plays the rear speaker test sound through the front speakers and ignores the sub completely.

bobboberts · 9 Mar 2014 at 13:41

The speaker package is an old Sony STR-K740P and is about 10 years old. It has Pro-Logic II but is playing the rear channels through the front speakers. Even the sub is playing through the centre channel. It is set to surround, yeah and I've played around with various modes on it.

So are you saying it isn't possible to get stereo upmixed (using Pro-Logic II) with either the onboard sound or the X-Fi card over optical? If that is the case, what card would allow that?

bobboberts · 9 Mar 2014 at 21:38

Everything else works fine (Xbox, Blu-ray, PS3) - it is just the PC. It's very strange (and frustrating.) The Pro Logic signal comes up when sound is coming through, so it's picking it out, but just not outputting to the rear speakers for some reason.

Edit: Just to add, though, my other devices all do decode DD and DTS, so they aren't the same issue. But the rear speakers certainly work.

bobboberts · 9 Mar 2014 at 21:48

Hmm, I think I've got to the bottom of it, and basically I will need a new amp. I found the user manual online and it covers my model and the one above mine. Now the one above has Pro Logic II and the option to upmix it but mine it seems only has Pro Logic, which can't upmix. So whilst I get proper DD or DTS from those sources that provide it, I don't think I'll ever be able to upmix to 5.1 with this kit.

Ah well, I was thinking about getting something newer anyway, guess this has somewhat forced my hand.

Thanks for the help though guys, I understand more about the issue now because of your input.

bobboberts · 10 Mar 2014 at 19:47

Marsman said:
No wonder you couldn't get it to work. I was under the impression that Pro Logic could upmix stereo to surround, just as Pro Logic II can; but it would seem that they are very different. Pro Logic was created to decode Dolby Surround long before Dolby Digital came into being.

Yeah, I must admit I was surprised when I read that last night (plus the fact that I'd never had cause to see if my amp did Pro Logic II as nothing else I have needs it).

I'll have a think about getting a new soundcard, though I have been tempted to get a new surround sound kit anyway so I might just do that. Something to consider, at least.