5.1 from DVDs using analog outputs

[Captain Hilts]

I'm curious to hear what people are using to get good 5.1 sound from DVDs when using analog outputs on their soundcard. On my main system I use the optical out from the Soundstorm to my Logitech Z-680s and it sounds great.

However, when I use the analog output on another system (also using the Abit NF7-S sound) to a set of Logitech X-620s, the 5.1 from DVDs (and in general) is not so good. With WinDVD I do get sound from all speakers, though it does not seem to be distributing the sound correctly at all. Voices, for example, come from all speakers, rather than mainly out of the center. Furthermore, unless I set the switch on the speakers to 4.1 source instead of 5.1 source (which they should use since the source should be 5.1), I barely hear the voices at all and the center channel doesn't work.

This problem is most prevalent when playing DVDs, but even in general it seems that the rears are doing nothing more than emulating what is coming out of the front speakers. Anyone have a somewhat similar setup and able to get this to work properly? If so, what software and settings are you using?

[TollhouseFrank]

i have a set of Logitech Z-680's in my bedroom hooked to my monster of a PC. I just got my Audigy 2 LS about 1 week ago. My sound was a bit distorted, but much betterthan the built in audio on my motherboard. I finally decided to run the 'setup' option in the creative panel. It was the easiest way i have ever found of getting the delay and sound levels right ever on my system. Now after that optimization, my dvd audio/hi - def audio (the ONLY way to listen to the Lord of the Rings Soundtracks!) sound MUCH better.

Check on the optimization options in your sound setup, if you have an audigy 2. If not, i guess just tweak and adjust till you get everything right.

[Captain Hilts]

Yeah my Z-680s sound great but I use the optical out from the Soundstorm for those. On the other system with the X-620s I'm just using the analog out from NF7-S onboard sound.

Anyway I just tried PowerDVD instead of WinDVD and it works much better now. The voices are coming out of the centre channel only and the rears are no longer just emulating the fronts. I hope that most people have their sound configured properly in this way as well and not just assume that it's working correctly if they hear sound from all speakers.