NF7-S SoundStorm: Dolby Digital (Decode or passthrough?)

[Wayne Youngman]

Hello again,

just a quickie

I am not actually sure whether this new SoundStorm can *decode* DD5:1 or just passes it through (bypass). I been out the PC audio loop for years, my last audio investment was a Creative SB-LIVE! Platinum + Cambridge DTT2500. This older set-up just plays DD5:1 fine via pass-through and the amp decodes the 5:1 signal. I'm aware all the cards since then have included the option to handle DD5:1 decoding in the soundcard themselves, including SoundStorm?

Basically just trying to work out what my best option is, I guess I would like to have a proper separate AMP and proper speakers (semi pro like!) but I would like it to handle my EAX games, play proper digital audio, Dolby digital etc. . .

any input. .

 

[jt]

"Wayne Youngman" wrote:

I am not actually sure whether this new SoundStorm can *decode* DD5:1 or just passes it through (bypass). I been out the PC audio loop for years, my last audio investment was a Creative SB-LIVE! Platinum + Cambridge DTT2500. This older set-up just plays DD5:1 fine via pass-through and the amp decodes the 5:1 signal. I'm aware all the cards since then have included the option to handle DD5:1 decoding in the soundcard themselves, including SoundStorm?

Basically just trying to work out what my best option is, I guess I would like to have a proper separate AMP and proper speakers (semi pro like!) but I would like it to handle my EAX games, play proper digital audio, Dolby digital etc. . .

Are we talking about decoding (e.g. playing a DVD with DD5.1 signal via the analog speaker outputs) or encoding, e.g. generating a 5.1 dolby signal on the digital output (optical)?

I think most systems can decode (play back) and pass through DD51 - however SoundStorm can *generate* a dolby digital 5.1 signal. This way you can use a Dolby Digital AMP connected to the optical S/PDIF to play games.

AFAIK SoundStorm does support EAX 2 but not EAX 3 (Advanced HD).

jt

 

[Wblane]

But it doesn't work! At least it doesn't work right. The only game I've got that seems to work well w/EAX is Half Life. Everything else (Enter the Matrix, NOLF2, Tron 2.0, MOHAA:Spearhead ends up having too soft or far too loud sound effects. EAX sounds a lot worse than my old SB PCI64 (which I'm not sure if it even supported EAX).

AFAIK SoundStorm does support EAX 2 but not EAX 3 (Advanced HD).

-Bill (remove "botizer" to reply via email)