New Audigy2 NX, need some help

[grunjee]

So I got me a new Audigy2 NX (http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?prodid=9103) yesterday and so far it seems great, except one problem.

Basically, I can't get 5.1 sound through digital (i.e., coax or optical) except via spdif passthru (watching a 5.1 dvd etc.). And as I understand it, doing it this way means that my z680's (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=2&CONTENTID=5048&countryid=2&languageid=1) are doing the work (dolby decoding), and the NX is pretty much out of the picture.

I thought (from reading the box) that the NX can do dolby digital decoding, so games such as Deus Ex and its sequel (Invisible War, or DX:IW as I might abbreviate it), which both do dolby digital 5.1 (and I've heard it in its glory via my onboard sound -- well in DX:IW at least) should be able to use the NX to do the job.

No matter what I do, I can only get stereo through my NX using a digital connection.

I have spent the last 24 hours trying everything, all settings and options in the Creative settings, Windows settings etc. Even reinstalled Windows, no dice.

Here are some things I can say are NOT the problem: (1) My speakers are hooked up correctly, (2) I do have usb 2.0 and it's working correctly, (3) Both my cables (optical and coax) work correctly, (4) I've tried the updated driver as well, still no luck.

I'm going to give Creative a call on Monday but figured I'd check here in the meantime to see if anyone can help me. I'm not an expert with this audio stuff so I may just be neglecting something obvious. Thanks for taking the time to look at this.

[Pinky]

I have that card, but only have a set of z560s, so I haven't used the digital outs :(

The #1 cause you've already addressed -- usb 2. If that's working then I really don't have a clue (apart from possibly missing a single setting in the mediasource app setup or activating something on the speaker unit).

**whoops* just reread your post... SPDIF is only going to work when there's a dolby digital signal available (which is why it works with DVDs and nothing else). I had a similar issue with my last card (Turtle Beach Santa Cruz)...

Now, there's only one spot to select digital and that's in the speaker settings option of the mediasource software. Check the digital output only box, select the speaker system (5.1 or 6.1) and this will send any audio already in a digital format to the speakers. Line-in items such as microphones and such may not play through the speakers as most home PC sound cards don't do the 'on the fly' analog to digital coding well enough in real time... anyway...

Unless you have CMSS 3D enabled, 2 channel stereo sources (like MP3s and CDs) will NOT play surround (that's what CMSS does).

I doubt any of this is helping, but I'm trying to sort through scenerios in my head for you... at this stage, I'm wondering (partly because of my lack of knowledge on the z680s) if anything's really wrong (especially if surround DOES play when spdif is selected)...

[grunjee]

Thanks Pinky, I appreciate your input.

Funny you should mention checking the "digital output only" setting. Whenever I do that (I tried it all day yesterday), it forces 2-speaker mode. It will NOT allow me to pick 5.1 or any other mode. Really weird if you ask me. And FWIW, not that it matters to me, but the manual for the NX says "there's no need to ever check 'digital output only' because the digital outputs are always active."

You know something else that's strange, you mentioned the Mediasource software. I had to manually dig through the install cd's contents and then manually install it. Was it an option for you to install along with the drivers? Because it wasn't for me. Not that I really care, but it did seem strange.

There's just a lot of stuff that doesn't seem normal. Maybe Creative tech support is my only hope... yeah, who am I kidding.

[james.miller]

im sure you cant get 5.1 through the digital connection. Audigys cant encode 5.1 in real-time - you don't realise just how unique your onboard sound really is. The audiy wil only do 5.1 if it recieves a 5.1 DD/DTS signal - that basically means your limited to dvd's if you want 5.1 (games aren't 5.1 dolby digital, they are just plain 5.1 which is why your audigy can't do anything with them)

The only other way that i can see, is to also hook up the speakers with the analogue connections.

[Pinky]

Originally posted by grunjee
And FWIW, not that it matters to me, but the manual for the NX says "there's no need to ever check 'digital output only' because the digital outputs are always active."

...Was it an option for you to install along with the drivers? Because it wasn't for me.

I saw the same thing last night when I selected it but I figured it was because I didn't have a digital set of speakers hooked up.

I think the reason is because the digital out sends a two channel stream that's somehow seperated by the speakers (or receiver in home theater setups)... ??? (just a thought)

Yes, my software installed automatically, but I do remember having to read the instructions for whatever reason (which may mean there's a hidden step somewhere in there had to follow to get it working correctly).

Before calling creative, do yourself one favorite -- uninstall the device and creative software entirely, and reinstall it. Don't touch any settings, put a DVD in and see how it plays... THEN go and set the speaker settings if needed... maybe somewhere along the line you've selected something incorrectly... dunno what else to say.

[grunjee]

Originally posted by james.miller
im sure you cant get 5.1 through the digital connection. Audigys cant encode 5.1 in real-time - you don't realise just how unique your onboard sound really is. The audiy wil only do 5.1 if it recieves a 5.1 DD/DTS signal - that basically means your limited to dvd's if you want 5.1 (games aren't 5.1 dolby digital, they are just plain 5.1 which is why your audigy can't do anything with them)


Interesting. Well if you're right, then I'm glad I kept the receipt for my NX. :(

james.miller -- do you know by chance if the M-Audio Revolution can encode 5.1 in real-time (or any other card for that matter)?

And as for the games, I'm not saying you're wrong about the games, but as for Deus Ex Invisible War it says "Dolby Digital" on the box -- so is that just a marketing gimmick or something?

And Pinky, thanks for your post again, if I can get the motivation to uninstall and reinstall I'll do it... definitely a good idea.

[james.miller]

as far as i know its still only the soundstorm that can do it. C-Media has a chipset licenced from what i remember, but i havn't heard anything about it.

As for the gmaes i could well be wrong, but ive yet to see any true 5.1DD games. I havnt tried duex ex so i couldnt comment on that.

[grunjee]

Originally posted by james.miller
As for the gmaes i could well be wrong, but ive yet to see any true 5.1DD games. I havnt tried duex ex so i couldnt comment on that.

Yeah, DX:IW has true Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. I've heard it with my own ears via my soundstorm... and it is a beautiful thing. True DD 5.1 and all of a sudden I can tell exactly which direction the enemy is coming from.

I always used to slam (insult) any and all onboard audio, until I recently gave the soundstorm a try in DX:IW as well as a couple movies, and I have to say that I'm pretty impressed with its digital capabilities.