HTPC, Dig 7.1 out to receiver via coaxial-Can Cre?

[mattburklund]

I am making a home theatre pc. I need a sound card that can output a digital signal in standard form that a home theatre receiver can receive through a coaxial connection. It is my understanding that the creative audigy cards coaxial audio out cannot send a full 7.1 ditital signal that a home theatre receiver can accept as an audio input. Is this correct? Has that problem been addressed? If not what card would be the best for games and music via a htpc to a high end receiver and ht set up? I was hoping the new audigy 4 fixed this.

Thank You
Matthew

 

[folken]

I read a few reviews of that card when I was doing research to find the right sound card for my needs. I believe the coaxial SPDIF output on that card can do all 8 channels (7.1). The "digital out" on all creative cards is a proprietary output for their line of speakers, that can only do 6 channels (5.1).

Do a google search for some reviews of the card, they will probably tell you. It is stupid that creative hasn't put the product documentation on their site yet

<A HREF="http://www.folken.net/myrig.htm" target="_new">My precious...</A>

 

[mattburklund]

Thank you. so the Creative will work for games, music and movies over the spdif to my receiver.

Nice computer systems you have there, which one do you like better?
Thanks
Matt

 

[folken]

I pretty sure it will, you will probably want to check out some reviews just to make sure.

Currently the only machine I have is my P4 machine. I was having hardware problems like crazy on my athlon machine I blame DFI motherboard and OCZ ram, I don't know what made me buy those. I should update my website bec I don't have that machine anymore, I distributed the parts to friends, of couse THEY arn't having problems with them. My current P4 is a heck of a lot slower than that athlon machine was but it should last me till I can get a dual opteron w/ dual ati cards

<A HREF="http://www.folken.net/myrig.htm" target="_new">My precious...</A>

 

[LordPaludis]

"so the Creative will work for games, music and movies over the spdif to my receiver."

actually I believe games do not output in digital for some reason.

 

[cookingfrags]

probably because EAX/DS3D is done in the sound card, so the output is analog only. if games came over SPDIF, then theyd have to be in some format that the receiver could decode, like Dolby Interactive.

if you want to use a Creative sound card, and since you're already spending money on an HTPC, might want to check out the Creative Labs Hardware Decoder (DDTS-100):

<A HREF="http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=136&product=9468&nav=0" target="_new">http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=136&product=9468&nav=0</A>

i personally don't know too much about it...but it might be something worth checking out.