Z5500 x-fi fatal1ty and optical output

casw1000 · 26 Feb 2006 at 10:48

Ok, So I have some real good components to make a nice setup. I have the Logitech Z5500 speakers, Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty sound card, so here's my newbie problem.

Everything works well in analogue mode, the "live drive" panel works as my headphones work ok. I also have the red light on the optical out.

I can get sound out via the green/orange/black cables, but for the life of me, I cannot get digital output from the optical cable to the controller unit.

I followed the logitech support suggestions of putting the z5500 into "test mode" this showed that I was only getting PCM 2.0 mode.

To clarify I have made sure that the creative software is set to external decorder. But it just seems that the system doesnt detect any form of dolby digital or DTS.

Yes I am playing DTS DVD's such as the Eagles Hell freezes over, Lord of the rings etc, etc.

I also use Power DVD Deluxe which supports DTS and all other standards. When playing these dvd's the powerDVD displays DTS or DD in the player controls.

So anyone know where the problem is? Why doesnt the control unit detect the optical source.

All the creative software IS installed, so any other ideas?

Thanks, casw1000.

casw1000 · 26 Feb 2006 at 13:26

Just some further information, I have checked the AC3 filter, which is set to bypass only. I have checked the remote is being used correctly. I am not sure what is going on.

I have also now connected up a coax digital connection just to check that my optical cable is not goofing up. I get the same responces from the coax, being, that Dolby Pro II works, as does the 2 channel, but it just doesnt detect any Dolby Digital or DTS.

If I set my control unit to 6-direct then I get surround sound, but I think the sound card is doing the processing. In this mode, I also dont get the DD / DTS in the display.

Has anyone else got the same setup etc?
Thanks, Casw1000

Steedie · 26 Feb 2006 at 18:40

set the audio in Cyberlink PowerDVD to Use SPDIF

only way to get it give out a dts signal and also a true DD signal

casw1000 · 26 Feb 2006 at 18:58

Steedie, thanks for the reply. I am sure I have already done that, I am using the latest 6 Dlx edition. I will double check and post back.

What's your setup?

Cheers, CASW1000

casw1000 · 26 Feb 2006 at 20:20

Steedie, Here's a cut'n'paste from the information section of the PowerDVD. Please note item in RED

Player Information:
Player Region Code: 1
Current Drive: D:
Title Region Code: 1

Display Information:
Video Mode: Progressive
Display Mode: DirectDraw
FourCC Code: YUY2
Surface Type: Overlay

Video Attributes:
Video compression mode: MPEG-2
TV system: 525/60 (NTSC)
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Display Mode: Only Letterbox
Source picture resolution: 720x480 (525/60)
Frame Rate: 30.00
Source picture letterboxed: Not letterboxed
Bitrate: 6.56Mbps

Audio Attributes:
Audio Coding mode: DTS
Sampling Rate: 48kHz
Audio application mode: Not specified
Number of Audio channels: 6
Number of Audio streams: 2

Subpicture Attribute: Not Available

Hardware Information:
Processor: Dual Core AMD Opteron(tm) Processor 170 running at 2808 MHz
3DNow! Technology: In Use
Enhanced 3DNow! Technology: In Use
3DNow! Professional Technology: In Use
IA MMX Technology: In Use
IA Streaming SIMD Extensions: In Use
IA SSE 2: In Use
Video Accelerator: DirectX VA (not in use)
Multispeaker Audio Device: SB X-Fi Audio [CC00] (in use)
SPDIF Output Device: SB X-Fi Audio [CC00] (not in use)

Sounds Dumb, but how do i turn this feature on? If I click on the small T or CTRL+C i get the config page, however on the Audio Tab, I only get, Speaker Environment, currently set to 6 speakers, or "Output Mode" with CLMEI-2 or No Effect.

I cannot find anywhere to specify the SPDIF output etc. is there a hidden button somewhere?

Cheers all, casw1000

Steedie · 26 Feb 2006 at 21:11

in the audio section under speaker environment

choose the Use SPDIF option

i tried for ages to get my 5500's using the dts encoder with my fatality but just wasnt having it, as soon as i turned this on, bobs your uncle it works

Le Samourai · 26 Feb 2006 at 21:18

Mediasource > Product settings gets you the following setting. That of any use?

casw1000 · 26 Feb 2006 at 21:59

Le Samourai, thanks but that was already set. Steedie, you're right. eventually. To explain.

I had previously installed my OEM version 2 channel of PowerDVD. I upgraded to the DLX version but could not find the SPDIF option. I now understand the reason why.

The upgrade key hadnt worked, and was therefore still in trial mode.

I tried the usual techie thing of going back to basics. I removed all my PowerDVD software and then re-installed just the OEM basic version. Once I had done this, I found the exact option Steedie mentioned. Once I selected Use SPDIF my Logitech was then seeing the right data.

So in a nutshell. this was the fix.

Thanks to all for your input. What should have been quite simple, is made more complex by the sheer number of different areas that this X-Fi can be configured.

Cheers All.
-casw1000