Audigy 2 ZS Digital Out Problem

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oldbustedjorn

n00b
Joined
Feb 21, 2007
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Hi, this is my first post here!

I currently have an Audigy 2 ZS Gamer and Creative 7.1 speakers (don't remember the model number). I bought an Xbox 360, so I got the DDTS-100 from Creative to hook up the 360 and my pc at the same time. I want to try to bypass the pc/decoder switch so that I can control both sources with the decoder's volume control.

That being said, I've tried hooking up the decoder with the "digital mini-jack to coaxial" adapter that comes with the decoder. The result is that I can't use any mode except stereo (but I was playing stereo source so thats expected) - using CMSS however, I still only get 2 channels. Kind of annoying.

Of course, subsequently hooking up the analog cables produces the same without CMSS but provides audio on all channels when CMSS is enabled. What am I doing wrong?

If an X-fi would fix any of this, I have an X-fi fatal1ty (without the extra breakout drive) on the way.
 
That being said, I've tried hooking up the decoder with the "digital mini-jack to coaxial" adapter that comes with the decoder. The result is that I can't use any mode except stereo (but I was playing stereo source so thats expected) - using CMSS however, I still only get 2 channels. Kind of annoying.
Click to expand...

When?
When gaming?
If so that is normal.
When listening to music?
If so that is normal.
(you need a card that can encode the signal into a multichannel digital audio format to get that)
 
You need to use the 6-channel direct analog connection if you want positional sound in games and the like, since the Audigy can't encode 6-channel sound to DTS/DD. Since I've read that the digital coax/optical connection is better for movies and music (especially for movies, since the DTS/DD soundtracks can just passthru to your receiver for decoding), you might wanna consider connecting both the analog and digital inputs to your receiver.
 
You should use analogue with your sound card to get a surround sound, no Creative's card can encode a surround sound from games into DD/DTS, only encoded signal can deliver a surround sound through digital connection.
 
@Mister X

Both. But with analog I can upmix with CMSS. With digital I can't upmix at all.

@zeta

Will the X-fi fatal1ty encode for me? If not, what cards will?

I never thought of connecting both, although I'd have to make certain changes I'm sure depending on what I'm doing. For instance, to play a game (unless it outputs digital decoding or something), I would need to switch the decoder to analog and switch my pc to use digital (unless it can do both at the same time).

To reiterate, I want to be able to control both the Xbox audio (using optical) and the pc audio (using anything but the extra break-out switcher) through the encoder.

Additional question - the decoder has 6 analog inputs - how does this account for the subwoofer? My audigy has three analog outputs for speakers.

Thanks!
 
X-Fi Platinum will decode but not encode, if you want a card with the encoding feature, you can check out the first post of my X-Meridian thread, there are some cards listed there. You should know that you can't get EAX support higher than 2.0 from a non Creative card.
 
Thanks, I will check it out...

Can I put two cards in :D (you can't tell I want everything can you)?

If I understand correctly though, if I'm playing a game in stereo and I'm using a sound card that encodes in 6 channels, I'm not going to get any benefits except upmixing, right?

Also, as I asked earlier, there are 6 analog inputs on the back of the decoder. How do I connect my audigy or x-fi to those RCA inputs and still get 7.1? Or won't that work? Even if I get 5.1 from those 6 channels - the idea of running both sources through the decoder excites me....
 
Wow, I just read your OP for the X-meridan thread... For the first time you are making me doubt creative.

Simplified, the trade-off is EAX 5.0 and X-Ram/Hardware Processing for encoding and (subjectively?) better sound overall.

I do play a lot of games, but what about comparing upmixed (presumably) or encoded digital audio (from a non-encoded game) and 7.1 analog with CMSS? I don't have a problem ebaying my x-fi....
 
2 channel PCM is the limit in the spec for current Optical/Coax outputs. There's not enough bandwidth for more channels unless they're compressed (like DD/DTS). Analog output is your only option at his point, and it's a real pain in the ass.

What we need is companies like Creative to give us a true upgrade and start supporting HDMI. With it we get 8 uncompressed digital channels over 1 wire, and most new receivers support the input already.
 
oldbustedjorn said:
Thanks, I will check it out...

Can I put two cards in :D (you can't tell I want everything can you)?

If I understand correctly though, if I'm playing a game in stereo and I'm using a sound card that encodes in 6 channels, I'm not going to get any benefits except upmixing, right?

Also, as I asked earlier, there are 6 analog inputs on the back of the decoder. How do I connect my audigy or x-fi to those RCA inputs and still get 7.1? Or won't that work? Even if I get 5.1 from those 6 channels - the idea of running both sources through the decoder excites me....
Click to expand...

If you have a spare PCI slot, you can use two sound cards, I'm also using two sound cards but I don't play games that much so I rarely use my X-Fi. You won't get any benefit from stereo games with DD/DTS encoding. If you don't mind using analogue, you can just buy three mini jack=>stereo RCA cables to get the surround sound from games. If playing games is your priority, you should just stay with X-Fi and use analogue because it is better for games.
 
Thanks for the input! I'm really enjoying these forums...

I think I'll try the analog option for now, I don't watch alot of movies so I guess I don't need the digital. Plus, if it is something thats encoded already, I can also run a coaxial cable for that.

I agree, HDMI, even if only on the higher end creative cards, is long overdue.
 
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