Test the 5.1 audio system

[steve j]

Hello!

I have just bought Creative Inspire 5.1 speaker system to my computer, but i'm not sure that i get DD 5.1 audio output, i think i only get DD 2.0 output. (I have optical output, but still not sure if i get 5.1)

Is there any small program or audio file that can help me test / Configure the speaker system?

It would be enough with an AC3 file that says,

"left speaker"
"Center speaker"
... and so on .... (Just cant find any....)


Please advice.

Thank you.

[waheed]

I use creative products for my audio.

Please can you provide more information, as to exact model of the creative speakers. what sound card do you use?

If you're using the optical output (S/PDIF), then your speakers must have a 5.1 DD decoder (or be using an external decoder).

you can test the speakers using the creative speaker configuration utility, but speakers need to be connected either analog or Digital DIN only. Using optical output will only test the front left and right speakers.

Also, make sure that 5.1 is selected under the creative speaker settings, if this is set to 2.0, then you will only be getting 2.0 sound.

[steve j]

Thank you for fast reply.

I use a Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Laptop.
The onboard "audio card"(?) seems to be "AC97"

I have activated "digital otput only" and I do get sound in the speakers, but i'm not sure it is DD 5.1 (In the settings in the DVD player program "RAVISENT CINEMASTER" i can not choose 5.1 output.)

I have bought the "Creative Inspire 5.1 - Digital 5500" speaker system.
There was no installation cd with the package, only an external reciver/decoder with cables and speakers, so there is no Creative program to adjust settings, only on the external decoder.
(See link)

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?prodid=990


I have connected a optical cable to the SPDIF port
The speaker system i WinXP controlpanel is set to 5.1 surround.

Does creative have any program i can download to "force 5.1 output"?
(Or test the setings.)

Hope this helps.

Steve

[boldego]

Don't know if this will help but have you tried a DVD that has the DTS test on it where it tests each speaker individually?

[steve j]

Boldego,

Thank you for the tip, but i don't think the external decoder supports DTS,
pherhaps there is dvd's with DD 5.1 audio tests?.

/ Steve

[boldego]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/windowsmediaplayer/51audio.mspx

this maybe?

[steve j]

i have downloaded the 6 channel speaker test file and followed the instructions, but i only get front left and front right....

I'm going bananas!!!

[waheed]

Note that AC97 refers to integrated audio and has nothing to do with AC3.

Yes, your inspire speakers does have a external 5.1 DD Decoder.

The creative program settings is used for creative soundblaster sound cards and not speakers so you dont need to worry about that.

I usually use PowerDVD for playing dvd, ive not used RAVISENT CINEMASTER. However, if you are using optical connection (for digital) then make sure you select S/PDIF output in the audio settings of your dvd player software, and not 5.1 output.

If you choose 5.1 output, the software does the DD decoding and you will need a 5.1 sound card to output the sound. Thus, you must choose S/PDIF, this is a digital pass through and the decoding is handled by your speakers (with its built in DD decoding).

Hopefully, you should get 5.1 DD sound.

[waheed]

i have downloaded the 6 channel speaker test file and followed the instructions, but i only get front left and front right....

I'm going bananas!!!

If you are using Optical (digital) connection, then yes, the test will only work for front left and right speakers. This is normal for any speaker system.

For the test to work for all speakers, you must use either analog connection or digital DIN connection, which in your case is not possible as you are using a laptop with integrated audio, unless you're intergrated audio is 5.1, which i doubt.

the best way to test the speakers in by playing a dvd in 5.1 DD by the method i described in my previous post. just place your ear between each speaker to hear if sound is heard from all.

[steve j]

Waheed my friend, I will try PowerDVD.

And this might be a stupid question, but here it goes,

If there was only 2.0 DD then i would not have sound in my rear speakers, right? and if there is sound in them there should be 5.1 DD right? (If the DVD is 5.1)

Still, it would be wery nice to have an ac3 file that tested each speaker one by one....

Thank you for helping me out Waheed!

/ Steve

[yoda313]

Hello,
Try ac3 filter and use Star Wars Episode 1 or 2 (or other THX titles). Go to the sound setup screens on the main disc. There will be a small icon in the corner somewhere saying thx optimization or some language like that (it will have the thx logo on it).

This will have the 5.1 surround test and a video test if you wish. The sound will be just a static burst to make sure the speaker is active. It will go from center to right and all the way around (including the sub). You could also try other players like zoom player to test it.

Kevin

[steve j]

Hello Yoda!

yes, your tip did the trick!
Now i have finally verified that I have true 5.1 audio.

Tank you all!!

/ Steve

[waheed]

Hi steve j

With the help of the people of this forum, glad to hear you've resolved the issue.

Waheed.

[yoda313]

Hello,
Glad to help. I had the same problem. I found ac3filter and it did the trick. I had a friend with the same problem and ac3filter worked for him also.
Kevin