Suggestion on Optical-out, Dolby and DTS (1 Viewer)

[RanaUK]

Hi Guys,

There are some questions I have which may help me get the most out of my MediaPC.

This is what I know so far (please correct me if I am wrong):

when SPDIF is selected, soundcard will dump AC3, DTS and such stream without any decoding, and it's up to the AV receiver to decode it. otherwise, it will be decoded either by soundcard (hardware decoding) or software decoding.

If this is TRUE then;

In case of Hardware decoding, wouldn't a Newer CMedia Oxygen based Cards, or X-Fi do a better job than an older Decoder as Yamaha DDP-2

In my current setup, I have a CMI7868 based soundcard connected to Yamaha DDP-2 (note: this decoder do not support DTS), which is then connected to a Kenwood Preamp (CV351) using Phono sockets.

So the real question is, which is the following would give me best sound?

1) Current SoundCard -> Yamaha Dolby Decoder -> PreAmp
2) Current SoundCard -> PreAmp (using analogue output: software decoding)
3) X-Fi ExtremeMusic -> Yamaha Dolby Decoder -> PreAmp
4) X-Fi ExtremeMusic -> PreAmp (using analogue output: hardware decoding?)
5) Sonar D2 -> Yamaha Dolby Decoder -> PreAmp
6) Sonar D2 -> PreAmp (using analogue output: hardware decoding?)


Hope someone can explain it to me.

regards
Rana

 

[ThaClown]

Very good question! I really don't know but im very curious what it is!
I think that software decoding is getting better all the time (FFDAudio, AC3) so in my mind option 2 is worth a try...

And i think that there are soundcards for HD audio that can decode DTS...

 

[Darre]

I get best sound when using spdif pass trough a coax cable into my reciever(it decodes both Dolby and DTS sound). And it looks cool too because it shows a cool dolby/DTS icon when it gets to decode the sound itself =)

As for your setup i dont know, use your ears

 

[ThaClown]

Yea, that I just love that DTS/Dolby logo when it pops up....
Makes the movie just a little better doesnt it?

 

[RanaUK]

Hi Darre,

not possible to use my ear without buying the setup so are you saying in your case, digital out and reciever sounds better than the phono; in that case whats your soundcard and reciever?

Rana

 

[Darre]

logitech z-5500 receiver.
Not to expensive but has received loads of good critics for sound quality/price.

Soundcard i dont remember exactly, I can check later tho.

but yeah, in my case having hardware decode movies itself sounds best.

 

[G.B. Wolf]

What sounds better is a good question. If you're not a sound enthusiast, I'd take either S/PDIF-to-Decoder or XFi-to-Amp. I have both versions running at home:

HTPC:
* Using onboard soundchip putting the sound over S/PDIF to my combined decoder and amp.

regular PC:
* X-Fi decoding and putting the sound direct to my Logitech surround system.
* X-Fi using S/DIF putting the sound to Creative DDTS-100 decoder and then to the boxes.

In the comparison on my regular PC both versions are equal. The modern X-Fi-cards have a really great sound, but the decoder, too. So in your case I'd base my decision on other factors than on the sound:

* Decoder used for other equip? - If no, one power- and place-consuming item less.
* HTPC used for playing games? - If yes, X-Fi sounds really, really great in modern games.
* What is using less power? - Less power, more money to spend.

Best regards
Wolf

 

[RanaUK]

Hi Wolf,

thanks for a comprehensive answer.

From your answer, I guess it is safe to summarize: in my case with an ageing Yamaha Dolby only decoder (no DTS), a X-Fi decoding and sending the sound to Preamp would sound better than using the external decoder at-all.

now the trick is which card does hardware decoding? I will not be playing games in HTPC. With a dual-slot silent cooler vga card, I only have one pci left which is used for ati550; ideally I would like to use X-Fi Extreme Audio pci-e version, but Creative actually mentions that you need powerDVD for dts decoding which means its not hardware decoding.

similar thing I read on a review about CMedia CMI7888 (OxygenHD) which says cmedia uses some cpu for decoding.

Seems like only X-Fi Extreme Music and some high end card has hardware DTS support (on website, it mentions DTS decoding but no powerDVD); Can someone please confirm it - also does it get enabled automatically when using phono outputs, and what would FFDShow settings be for ac3 and dts?

Right now my MediaPC is connected to a normal sony tv; so sky/ps2/vcr goes to tv; and tv output is connected to pre-amp. Hopefully when I get a HDTv, I would want to feed the digital output from tv to my pc card for decoding and then sent to preamp.

 

[G.B. Wolf]

in my case with an ageing Yamaha Dolby only decoder (no DTS), a X-Fi decoding and sending the sound to Preamp would sound better than using the external decoder at-all.

If your decoder has no DTS-support I'd appreciate any solution that offers this. I prefer a good mixed DTS everytime to regular DD. DTS sounds so much better in my eyes... eh... ears.

now the trick is which card does hardware decoding?

I just check my card options and it offers integrated DTS-support. The complete options are:

DD: Dynamic Range Setup (max, standard and night), Pro Logic (automatic, on, off) and DD EX (same)
DTS: DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 mixup for 5.1 sound (automatic, on, off)

My card identfies itself as an X-Fi Audio, but it's an X-Fi Music. The (old) card selling as "Audio" isn't a good thing (not a "real" X-Fi), but the new PCI-E-version seems to be a complete different card. At least it's not a low profile card anymore and the specs read different. I'm wondering about the issue that the "Music" isn't listed on Creative's website anymore. Only similar looking platine is the "Gamer Fatality"... very strange. A little bit confusing what Creative is doing there. It seems that they now completely dropped EAX5.0 and extended the OpenAL support due to the Vista problems.

but Creative actually mentions that you need powerDVD for dts decoding which means its not hardware decoding.

I read that part on their page so that they only mean that PowerDVD does support that, too, but not that you need it.

I would want to feed the digital output from tv to my pc card for decoding and then sent to preamp.

Haven't tried that in any way, but the PCI-E card has optical in and out and therefore it shouldn't be a problem. Setting up the decoding is done easily in the setup.

 

[RanaUK]

yeah, seems like creative like to flood the market with products without really comparing them.

X-Fi Xtreme Audio
http://uk.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=15855

.. Includes Cyberlink PowerDVD software with DTS® and Dolby Digital®-EX decoding (via free download) for an unbeatable DVD movie watching experience. (Internet connection required.)

Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio PCI Express
http://uk.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=16770

same as above.


X-Fi XtremeMusic
http://uk.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=14066

..Bring movies to life with comprehensive soundtrack decoding (DTS-ES, Dolby Digital EX), CMSS up-mix for non-encoded movies plus THX certification

(note: no mention of PowerDVD when it talks about DTS)

as clear as muddy water.