Sound

[Wicked Klown]

I was wondering would it be better to get digital I/O module (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=13&subcategory=55&product=1780) or a AuzenTech XMYSTIQUE? Looking for something good for movies, MP3s as well as games. Right now I'm using a X-FI platinum but I want all my cables on the back.

[stratcatprowlin]

I like the connection layout on the mystique but of course its more money than the I/O module.Either way for me I would say.

[Wicked Klown]

Would the sound out of the I/O module sound as good as it pluged in to the optic port on the front panel? I know the X-fi does EAX5.0 where as the Auzentech does EAX2.0.

[stratcatprowlin]

If your using the digital outputs they should sound identical.Have fun with your new setup whichever that might be.

[Wicked Klown]

Ok cool looks like I'll get the I/O and a tv wonder 550 pro. If I don't like the sound I could always get the AuzenTech later on.

[LandShark]

wait a min! what do you mean by game? gaming with your htpc on tv? if so, what kinda stereo system connection you are using?? optical/coax? analog??

because the best way to do sound for DVDs is to use the optical output from your PC to the stereo system (straight pass thru), and let your stereo to decode the Dolby AC3 surround sound!! HOWEVER, with this method, ALL the sound in gaming will turn into a 2 channel stereo sound only!! no directional 5.1 sound from gaming!!! because ALL PC sound (e.g. .wav) will downsteam to PCM 2 channel sound when outputing digitally (optical/coax)! the only way to encode the PC sound on the fly into dobly digital (or DTS) AC3 sound is either to use the DoblyDigitalLive or DTS connect software encoding that comes w/ most highend motherboard OR the old nforce2 board's SoundStorm (the only hardware real time dobly digital encoding for PC).

by using that (my case, DDLive), you can hear the gun shot coming from all different speaker from your stereo system when you connect your PC to the stereo via optical!

[Wicked Klown]

right now I'm gaming on my Dell 2001FP, later I'll be on a 32" or 37"LCD. When it's hooked up to the tv I use optical for my HT reciever. I can't use the on-board sound, as it skips and stutters way to much. It may sound stupid but I have my 5.1 set up for 4.1.so far like when watching TV no shows we watch work on 5.1. I also noticed when using my Philips STB DVD player when watching MASH using the optical output only two speakers worked. This changed when we started using my computer to watch it then all speakers worked. Also not to worried about 5.1 sound in gaming as all I play is WoW and in that you don't get to tell if the person is attacking from in front or behind. Any help you can give me would be nice. I was looking at getting a AuzenTech but heard they are not that great when gaming but are damn nice in movies and MP3s.

[Evilsizer]

easy to fix then... while you want to use the digital out for movies... you can do this. grab this receiver
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7694122&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03031&id=1138083770470
i have watched the price drop from $325 to $249. has 7.1 rca inputs as well as 3 optical/2 coaxial Digital Inputs. this way all you have to do is tell the sound card to use the coax output. then just switch the reciever to say dvd so its already setup for the coax input, then time for gaming switch it to tv.

just a thought but no dought in cd/mp3/dvd playback the azentech card rocks as well as m-audio revo's 5.1 or 7.1 cards.

[Wicked Klown]

Why would I need that to watch DVDs, I have a 5.1 that does it now.

Edit it does do 5.1 for dvds, but for me to hear anything I have to set it as 4.1. I've lost some of my hearing over the years, damn DB drag racing.