Turtle Beach DSS2 setup

fozzybear

fozzybear

fozzybear

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I've had one of these for a while now but still don't think I've got it setup correctly.

I've got the DSS2 connected to the optical on my Creative Z soundcard and my headphones plugged into the DSS2. The decoder in my Creative Z software is set to Dolby Digital Live.

I'm just confused as to what settings I should have in Sound>Playback Devices. I've currently got SPDIF-OUT selected but Speakers has worked in the past. I also read that you need to select 5.1 over headphones (despite me using headphones) in the Creative Z software. :confused:

I've downloaded a Dolby file to test. In Windows Media Player, the DD light lights up but, when played with VLC, it doesn't. It actually sounds much better in VLC though. WMP plays it back very quiet.

So yes, I'm confused. I want to get it set up correctly for gaming as well.

Any ideas?
 
Playback device should be speakers. Dolby Digital live needs to be on. Output needs to be 5.1 speakers. Headphone mode off in Creative Software.

Basically the DD Light should be on all the time.
 
Thanks for that.

I did previously have it setup on those exact setting but thought I was doing something wrong. I'm still not sure what the DSS2 is actually doing to my sound though.

What exactly does it do with game sound?
 
The above settings are causing me issues now.

The sync between sound and video is all off with the video being noticably in front of the sound. If I just use my headphones with my Creative Z there are no issues.

It's a DSS2/optical problem that I can't seem to sort out (have tried 2 different cables). I guess the easiest way is to stop using it. :confused:

edit//
Audio/video sync issues are bad when I use 'Speakers' in 'Sound>Playback'. If I use 'SPDIF-Out', the lip sync issues go away. I really haven't a clue.
 
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I'm beginning to think I'm just going to have to sit and suffer with this.

I've had to change my 'Audio time shift (ms)' settings in MPC-HC to '-250' to sort out video file playback.

There doesn't appear to be any fix for Youtube and other online videos also being out of sync. After just playing Mafia 2, I've also noticed I get the same audio/video sync issues in games now. Not good.

Any ideas?

/edit
The delay is in online videos, video files and gaming.

I've just noticed that there are no issues when watching a DVD. Why would this be?
 
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This may be processing latency, either at the soundcard encoding or DSS2 decoding end. Can you try it with another dolby receiver?
 
Uriel said:
This may be processing latency, either at the soundcard encoding or DSS2 decoding end. Can you try it with another dolby receiver?
Click to expand...

I can't try it with anything else (no PS3, XBox, blu ray player with optical).

I did contact Turtle Beach for setup suggestions and got a nice long pointless copy and paste reply from them. Totally useless. I emailed them again and they replied saying the DSS2 should be set to 'SPDIF' in Windows. :confused:

I'm back to using my Creative Z on its own now. Still think the issue is with my soundcard rather than the DSS2 as there are a few mentions of similar issues in the Creative forums.
 
Can you try a DVD player's optical out straight to the DSS2? The Dolby Digital signal would be streamed so there will be no latancy on the player side.

It's a different card, but I find that there is too much latency using Dolby Digital Live on my X-Fi Prelude. If I use DTS Connect it's much better but I use a different external decoder to you, a Victor SU-DH1.
 
I just got a turtle beach xp300, console headset but they work perfectly on pc. I might be interested in investing in a DSS2 although I'm not sure if it will make my wireless headset into a wired headset.

At the moment I'm using CMSS 3D with my creative xfi which works well. Also tried using razer surround a surround sound emulation program made by razer which didn't work very well and made the headset make popping and crackling noises.

So if you manage to get this working, could you provide me with some feedback on if its worth buying? Thanks :)

Edit - Have you thought perhaps the creative z you have, is already doing the job of the dss2? Creative has surround sound emulation and surround sound encoders so perhaps there is no need for a dss2 if you have a decent soundcard.
 
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Uriel said:
Can you try a DVD player's optical out straight to the DSS2? The Dolby Digital signal would be streamed so there will be no latancy on the player side.

It's a different card, but I find that there is too much latency using Dolby Digital Live on my X-Fi Prelude. If I use DTS Connect it's much better but I use a different external decoder to you, a Victor SU-DH1.
Click to expand...

There's nothing else I can try it with.

I did try setting it to 'SPDIF' in my windows sound settings last night. I could watch Youtube/online videos without any sync issues this time. I couldn't get it to output any sound whatsoever for MP3's & video files on my PC though (using Foobar, WMP, MPC-HC, Media Jukebox).

It's more hassle than it's worth switching settings to 'SPDIF' and 'Speakers' everytime I want to watch different things.

I just think it's more suited towards a PS3 or XBox really. Too many issues to overcome when using with a PC.

Edit - Have you thought perhaps the creative z you have, is already doing the job of the dss2? Creative has surround sound emulation and surround sound encoders so perhaps there is no need for a dss2 if you have a decent soundcard.
Click to expand...

All processing is turned off in the Creative Z's software. I actually think I'm wasting having a really decent sound card when using the DSS2.

I enjoyed the sound when listening to MP3's (with 'Speakers' set in Windows). Was it any better than the Creative Z? Probably not. The DSS2 will likely come into its own with a console or blu ray player with optical out (neither of which I have).
 
Uriel said:
Have you tried the Creative Z's own headphone surround virtualization in comparison to the DSS2?
Click to expand...

What, to see if I still get sound/video sync issues? I've used it and haven't noticed any.

I've just tried to test it again and I can't get any sound output from Foobar and MPC-HC despite them (and Windows) being set as SPDIF.

I've pretty much given up really.
 
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