Global enable option of spdif 5.1 on sb xfi gamer pro cards?

[yoda313]

Ok I have a pci creative sb xfi creative gamer fatality card. I have the digital i/o adapter that lets you hook up spdif fiber optic or coax cables to your computer. I have it setup so that my fiber optic cable is setup to output stereo over the "speaker" option in the control panel.

SPDIF output is available in the menu. Howver nothing happens when I select it. I don't even see the little sound bar go up and down while playing a music file. I do get stereo over fiber optic while in "speaker mode" which is confusing.

I would think it should be the other way around. I did read something on the creative website about not all models supporting 5.1 over fiber optic? Or am I just in this too deep right now and not seeing the perfectly obvious?

I have even tried playing a 5.1 m2ts file recorded with my hauppauge hd pvr. I go into audio and select spdif while spdif out is selected. Then it just says unexpected error can't play.

What option am I missing to enable full sound output over the fiber optic cable?

FYI I just did the full software update and driver update with their auto system so I'm current. And I'm using VISTA Premium 32bit as well.

Suggestions are welcome. I did see a "pass through" option in one of the support pages on creative.com but I am unable to find it on the various creative programs in the start menu.

THanks for any help.

EDIT fyi I'm outputting hte fiber optic to a free standing sony amplifier - older model that is 5.1 with spdif and coax inputs. It does not have hdmi - otherwise I'd use the hdmi out from my ati hd all in wonder card......

[minidv2dvd]

afaik the fatality cards don't have optical out. with the computer on look in the spdif jack. if it has optical there should be a red glowing light inside.

[yoda313]

@minidv2dvd - actually it has a digital i/o port for use with an adapter that lets you use fiber optic and coax cables.

Actually I GOT IT WORKING!! Yep took a bit of fooling around. This thing has different audio modes - entertainment, gaming, and audio creation. I switched between them while the control panel sound setting was set to SPDIF OUT. I was using Arcsoft Total Media Theater to play an m2ts file with 5.1. I had the software set to spdif. While switching from one mode to the next the 5.1 indicator lit up on my amp!! Yep I selected the 'entertainment mode" and it worked.

So I don't know if this will work for all programs but at least I have one media player working in 5.1 now. And I have a fall back to go to speaker mode to at least get 2.0 if it won't carry over on the spdif out mode.

THanks.

[minidv2dvd]

it should output audio over the spdif even if it isn't 5.1 , my regular x-fi does anyway. optical out is the only connection i have and all programs i've used haven't had any problem.