DD 5.1 spdif passthrough for gaming

[MR 3]

Hi all, it's been a while since my last post. I'm using a pair of Tritton AX720 simulated surround sound headphones. They only provide surround sound if there is a Dolby 5.1 source in spdif passthrough. Now let me just say that these headphones worked great with my PS3. I got 5.1 surround with any game that supported it. However, I've since sold my PS3 and moved on to PC gaming. I have my headset connected via toslink spdif. I am using my mobo's integrated Realtek HD Audio. I am using ac3 filter to convert my movies' aac files to ac3, so no problems there. Games, on the other hand, do not output through spdif in dolby digital, that much i know. I've read elsewhere that a good sound card could solve my problem. I like the idea of using a sound card because it will take some of the processing power away from the CPU. I'd like to get a sound card, however i don't know which one to get. It NEEDS to be able to output Dolby Digital for my games via spdif passthrough so i can use my surround sound headset, as well as hook it up to my home stereo. I don't want to buy just any sound card and then find out that it doesn't do what i need it to as they can be expensive. Does anybody have any suggestions? Please and thank you in advance.

[yoda313]

Check out creative labs Soundblaster xfi series. They offer spdif or firber optic out via a dongle that you'll have to get seperately - though some bundles may include them - you'll have to do the research to be sure.

If you want usb you can get the really old sb live one that has fiber optic output - though it probably doesn't support the latest hd movie audio. There are newer creative xfi usb models available also that should offer fiber optic and spdif coax with newer audio codec support.

I've really only ever used soundblaster cards and usb addons and have never had any problems with them.

[MR 3]

Thanks, I will check them out!