SB Live 'n' Dolby Pro Logic

[Krusty]

Ok, I have a sound blaster Live! value in this computer. Right now, I'm using a retular old two speaker setup, but I have some dolby pro-logic speakers I would like to begin using here. Unfortunately, I don't know how to get all 5 speakers (right,left,center, and rear channels) to function in pro-logic mode. All the sb live appears to support is 5.1, front/rear stereo, and 2 channel.

Any ideas for a solution? This is my parents computer and I would really like to steal their 2 channel speakers to make mine a 4 channel setup for gaming.

[RED Hot Machine]

Do the speakers have a decoder with them?

I take it that you want to add the pro-logic speakers to your parents machine and use their set on yours to make a 4 channel system.

Correct me if i've got that wrong.

And you want to add the pro-logic speakers to the sb live value card?

[Krusty]

Originally posted by RED Hot Machine
Do the speakers have a decoder with them?

I take it that you want to add the pro-logic speakers to your parents machine and use their set on yours to make a 4 channel system.

Correct me if i've got that wrong.

And you want to add the pro-logic speakers to the sb live value card?

Yes. It has a pro-logic receiver built in. The only input I need is from one mini-stereo cable thing (whatever the hell theyre called). I want to take my parents newer Altec Lansing speakers for my front channels and my old Altec Lansing speakers for my rear channel.

So how would I get all of the pro-logic speakers to work in some sort of pro-logic format, or even just stereo with some stuff coming out the center and rear.

[RED Hot Machine]

Can you let me know abit more about the decoder.
The model would be helpful.

There are several ways to connect to decoder.

You could use the digital out from the value card (the best way), or route the analoge front and back chanels into the the decoder.

[Krusty]

Originally posted by RED Hot Machine
Can you let me know abit more about the decoder.
The model would be helpful.

There are several ways to connect to decoder.

You could use the digital out from the value card (the best way), or route the analoge front and back chanels into the the decoder.

I don't have the manual laying around any more, but here is some stuff from the box. The brand is SSI and the model is MST-100. It has a dolby pro-logic decoder (I guess) built into the subwoofer along with the volume/bass/treble controls.

That's really about all I can gather from it. Pro logic desktop speaker system that uses dolby pro-logic.

So I use digital out. I'm going to screw with it a bit to see what I can do with it. Let me know if you know exactly what settings on the sb live card to enable all the speakers.

EDIT: It also has a button to change between "pro logic" and "multimedia", but I have no idea what the difference is. The last rear speaker also has two inputs. one for pro logic and the other for multimedia. I have no clue what the difference there is either. I have seen nothing that mentioned that pro logic is a digital decoder. Anyways, testing is now begining...

[RED Hot Machine]

I managed to find SSI's website very unhelpful.

It appears you only have a stereo input. You need to use a lead that runs from the front channel on the SB live (Second socket to the right of the midi port) to the speakers.

Install LiveWare! from creatives site. They have just taken it off the soundblaster.com btw. Can be found here (http://www.europe.creative.com/frontpage/frontpage.asp?flash=1).

Use the surround mixer to change the speaker setup to LiveSurround, and see if that give you sound to all the speakers.

Ignore the Digital out bit in my last post, it does not work with you decoder.

[Krusty]

Thanks for the help. I've got the liveware for my sb live xgamer that I'm going to install on here to play with settings. I already tested the digital out, which, of course, didnt work. In my multimedia thingie on my control panel, I enabled the surround sound and eventually got audio out of all the speakers.

Only problem is that these speakers are sh** compared to the two speaker setup my parents got from Dell. They definately put out a lot more noise, but the highs are really tinny and the lows are nothing compared to what's coming out of the sub they already have:(

Even though it means getting an awesome 4 speaker setup on my computer, I don't think I want to stick my parents with this.

I guess that's what I get for buying unknown speakers from a computer fair. Maybe if I bi*** enough, I can get a refund. Or perhaps someone at a pawn shop will think they are worth more than they really are...

Anyone wanna buy a really cool surround system ? I swear it's really good!:rolleyes:

[BigDawg]

5.1 is a 5 speaker set up !!!!!

[Krusty]

Originally posted by BigDawg
5.1 is a 5 speaker set up !!!!!

you are correct. I am not completely sure why this was brought up though. 5.1 is different from pro-logic and th 4 speaker setup I was speaking of was stereo front and stereo rear as the sound blaster live is capable of.

[scoobydoo]

Don't know what all the hubbub is about:)

Here is my take on it if you still need help.

There really is no DPL standard, it is just a stereo signal that is processed splitting it into the 5 speakers. Front Left & Right, Center(derived from the fronts) and Matrixed Surrounds(also derived from the fronts and each produces the same sound, unlike AC-3)

Here is what you do:

Use the 2 channel mode on the card. Hook up a mini plug to RCA(left & right) conector from the card to the DPL amp/processor in the speaker system and it will decode it for you. As far as setting up the speakers to work you are on your own since I know nothing about them.

Since it is only DPL you don't need to use a digital output. It would really only make a difference in a "higher" quality setup and the speakers you are using don't sound high enough quality for it to even matter.

Good Luck:)

[nil_esh]

The only time I see Pro-Logic being usable is when you've got Pro-Logic encoded sound going out. The Creative Dxr3 mpeg decoder card has the option of re-encoding Dolby Digital into Dolby Pro-Logic. However, I don't know of any sound cards or software that encode into pro-logic. Some kind of external encoder box that converted 5.1 to pro-logic would be a cool, though I doubt it would compare to actual seperate sound channels. Anyone know of such a thing?

I am in a similar situation with my pro-logic reciever and don't find 4 or 6 channel sound cards useful (though I do have a spare reciever that could be used).

[nil_esh]

Hmmm... There is a pro-logic encoder that allows you to downmix 5.1 to 2-channel pro-logic, but the one I found was more of a studio tool and very expensive. If Creative's dxr3 card can do it, there has to be some kind of low-cost solution.

[mw521]

There is a "secret" digital output enable on the liveware mixer. Click on the red plus sign above the volume control on the mixer to enable it.