Decoding DTS and Dolby digital live

[Brianmz]

Hello all, I'm currently using the integrated audio from my mobo which is a realtek ALC 889, I use the digital out since my home theater only has that =/.

The problem I have is I only get surround from certain movies decoded thru my home theater, it only has Dolby digital and pro logic decoders.
I can't get surround from movies with DTS and video games.

I was wondering if this little card would do the trick:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045JHJSS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

And finally let me get surround from all sources or if I'm better off getting a surround audio system for PC.

Currently using this:http://www.shop.muncha.com/nepal/1/...Two-Tower).aspx?CO=np&SrcCityID=0&DelCityID=0 thru the digital cable

 

[XacTactX]

DTS and AC3 are simply codecs, like MP3 and FLAC and etc. When you buy a sound card that supports the codecs, then you are basically acquiring software that can encode into DTS or AC3. My point is, you do NOT need to buy hardware to do that for you. There is a freeware suite of encoding software called FFDShow which can handle practically any current format (including DTS/AC3).

The regular FFDShow is obsolete, the current one is called FFDShow-tryouts. You can find it here: http://ffdshow-tryout.sourceforge.net/ I have NOT used it to encode AC3 or DTS but it is possible. You need to use a media player that can change codecs so that you can tell it to use FFDShow's codecs. Some options are VLC and MPC-HC.

EDIT Also the Xonar DG will not work for what you want, it does NOT support DTS/AC3. The DS does support DTS, while the DX supports both DTS/AC3.

 

[Skripka]

I never got FFDShow to work.

And ditto what Xac said regarding the DG not doing what you want. Ya need a card that does DDL.

 

[Procyon12]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271001&Tpk=ht omega striker

 

[granite]

You need Dolby Digital Live. This will transform and Stereo, 5.1AAC, PCM or DTS sound into a Dolby Digital 5.1 Signal ready for your Home theatre unit.

Two options for you

http://www.ebuyer.com/320821-sound-...rd-with-sound-core-3d-quad-core-70sb135000002

http://www.ebuyer.com/141346-asus-xonar-d2x-soundcard-7-1-pci-express-xonar-d2x

I don't know if your in the UK but that's the models that support Dolby Digital Live.

My motherboard has Onboard DDL, that I connect to my Modified z-5500 system. Sounds a lot clearer that then Analogue inputs.

 

[JohnleMVP]

My motherboard has Onboard DDL, that I connect to my Modified z-5500 system. Sounds a lot clearer that then Analogue inputs.

Not saying it sounds bad or you'll notice, but Optical 5.1 is highly compressed whereas analog is not.

 

[Brianmz]

Thanks for the replies, i do have the Codecs, but I still don't get surround from DTS movies and games, I get sound but no surround, and the little SRD icon on the home theater unit won't turn on for them =/.

Going to look into the sound cards you guys suggested.

 

[granite]

Not saying it sounds bad or you'll notice, but Optical 5.1 is highly compressed whereas analog is not.

Indeed I know it is. Realistically I'd love to have an Amp to decode 7.1 PCM. But most games don't use a high enough bitrate to tell the difference. The z-5500, to me, sound better over Optical. But maybe if I invest in real sound card it would make change a over analogue. I have replaced my two left and right speakers with some nice bookshelf speakers.

At a 1/4 volume it's loud enough and everything sounds reasonably clear. I don't think it's too bad seeing I only pay 100 pounds for it all.

 

[Brianmz]

Ended up buying this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00654PUPA/ref=ox_ya_os_product

Since I'm not in the UK i couldn't get the Asus card.
Hopefully this card will solve my surround problems xD.
Read mixed reviews in newegg and positive ones in Amazon, so not so sure, still got a couple of days to cancel if I change my mind about it.

Also looked at my receiver and it does do DTS, guess my mobo was the one guilty about not getting DTS thru movies.

 

[Brianmz]

One last question, is the receiver that came with my home theater good enough for what I have, or should I get a new one?
http://www.shop.muncha.com/nepal/1/...Two-Tower).aspx?CO=np&SrcCityID=0&DelCityID=0

Or change the back surround speakers as well, as I barely hear them when I have movies in surround unless im close to them =/.
Not sure if it's my crappy sound or the speakers.
Open to suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[granite]

they are probably fine, just need the volume turning up a bit. How the should function is they should create atmospheric background sound when viewing, but you should distinctively hear them louder when an action happens behind you. It might just be a case of turning them up a bit.

Because my rear speakers are far behind me in the room (about 3meters) i have them at about 75% volume.

If you need some help setting up your sound card when you get it, I'd be happy to help.

 

[Brianmz]

Got this card for 30$
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Soun...PUPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334544729&sr=8-1

Waiting for it to arrive, does anyone know if this card does DTS for movies, I only see dolby digital on the speccs?
Or if you can download the DTS connect pack for it to work.
Currently using onboard audio with ALC889 and can't get DTS and Dolby Digital, so if it also does DTS for 30$ i think it's a good upgrade, if not off to more sound card hunting.

I use the Optical port as my receiver only supports that for 5.1 surround, no hdmi or analog inputs, thanks

Card should arrive Wednesday.

 

[XacTactX]

"The Web address you entered in not a functioning page on our site."

I don't know what sound card you got, but this question has already been answered. If the sound card does NOT have DTS Connect then you cannot send DTS Connect via optical.

 

[Brianmz]

Edited xD, didn't notice, it's a recon 3d.
I'm debating if I should just buy a new audio system and get a high end card with it, as my current setup only accepts digital.