What audio card to get that can send AC3 and DTS out S/PDIF?

[maxpower2078]

I am having trouble with my ASUS P5N32-E SLI LGA 775 and the onboard audio based on the adi ad1988b chipset by analog.

I am sending the signal out via the optical S/PDIF to a Yamaha 7.1 receiver, but the trouble is when I try to put the receiver in a surround mode, the voices cannot be heard and only the music comes through on movies and such exept when I switch powerdvd to 4 speaker mode for example.

The soundmax software has a wizard to run through what you have plugged into all the analog outputs, but nothig about the digital ones.

Anyone experience this? I am using Media Center 2005 and have tried many sources, from HD-DVD, DVD, OTA etc...

[maxpower2078]

So in my search for this answer I have discovered that most cards do not output an AC3 or DTS signal through the S/PDIF connection exempt in some cases they will pass it through, but most of the time will only offer the PCM audio through the digital connections.

Well with the onboard audio I have, I don't even seem able to pass it through, all my receiver picks up is PCM and never the AC3 or DTS.

So I am changing to, what audio card should I get that can actually sending a AC3 and DTS signal out the digital connection?

I have looked at M-Audio revolution 7.1 which does a pass through of DTS and AC3. The HDA X-Plosion 7.1 seems like a good option but is a little dated now.

Looks like this may be the best bet, but at a hefty price. $200 at newegg right now
http://www.cluboc.net/reviews/sound/Auzentech/Prelude/index.asp

[zagortenej]

M-Audio Revolution 7.1 or 5.1 will give you what you want. I have the 7.1 model and it's working great - simple to use, and great audio output. All you need is one cable from your audio card to your receiver. You might have some problems with the card is you are running Windows Vista since M-audio has been painfully slow to develop proper drivers from the cards; any other version of Windows will be good.

A lot of people have been selling their Revolution sound cards after upgrading to Windows Vista, because there were no drivers for it. Check eBay and I'm sure you'll find it for half of the price of Auzentech card.

[Soopafresh]

Maudio makes great cards. Might also be interesting to try the latest FFdshow


Modified Fri Nov 16 10:53:42 2007 UTC (10 hours, 21 minutes ago) by h_yamagata

Updated install script: add S/PDIF option to AC3 and DTS.
add one compatible application.

[maxpower2078]

M-Audio Revolution 7.1 or 5.1 will give you what you want. I have the 7.1 model and it's working great - simple to use, and great audio output. All you need is one cable from your audio card to your receiver. You might have some problems with the card is you are running Windows Vista since M-audio has been painfully slow to develop proper drivers from the cards; any other version of Windows will be good.

A lot of people have been selling their Revolution sound cards after upgrading to Windows Vista, because there were no drivers for it. Check eBay and I'm sure you'll find it for half of the price of Auzentech card.

Thank you for the help. that looks like a good card. I have also started looking into the video cards with HDMI on them that could take an input from S/PDIF and output it through HDMI, but I think I may still be in the same boat if the S/PDIF is not going to output 7.1 in the first place.

[dLee]

I bought a Chaintech AV-710 because the onboard sound of my Shuttle wouldn't pass through AC3 even though it has an optical S/PDIF built in.

Inexpensive ($26.99 USD) and it sounds great. Has some great A/D converters also. It's PCI, so I hope your MB has one or two.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829120103

Do not use the drivers that come in the box - download the VIA Envy24 HT-S drivers from VIA. I'm using it in XP - some report success with Vista.

[nebbish_2112]

I just installed Turtle Beach Montego card in my PCI. It works great.

[maxpower2078]

Maudio makes great cards. Might also be interesting to try the latest FFdshow


Modified Fri Nov 16 10:53:42 2007 UTC (10 hours, 21 minutes ago) by h_yamagata

Updated install script: add S/PDIF option to AC3 and DTS.
add one compatible application.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot tonight. We can I find the script. I couldn't find it on the sourceforge site

[maxpower2078]

Maudio makes great cards. Might also be interesting to try the latest FFdshow


Modified Fri Nov 16 10:53:42 2007 UTC (10 hours, 21 minutes ago) by h_yamagata

Updated install script: add S/PDIF option to AC3 and DTS.
add one compatible application.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot tonight. We can I find the script. I couldn't find it on the sourceforge site

found it, thanks.
http://ac3filter.net/projects/spdifer

[maxpower2078]

Maudio makes great cards. Might also be interesting to try the latest FFdshow


Modified Fri Nov 16 10:53:42 2007 UTC (10 hours, 21 minutes ago) by h_yamagata

Updated install script: add S/PDIF option to AC3 and DTS.
add one compatible application.

Well great news, I was able to get it working with ac3filter, I tried spdifer with no luck and installed ac3filter instead and played around with the settings. Once I unchecked "send PCM over spdif" the receiver came to life and recognized all 5.1 channels and that it was dolby digital. woohoo. I then installed the mkv spiltter with all options because it didn't work with WM Player, but I just picked all the option available when installing and now... well I am very happy