Z-5500's and SoundBlaster X-Fi XtremeGamer

[PunkRawk911]

So, I've got the Logitech Z-5500's and the Soundblaster X-FI Xtreme Gamer. I'm trying to connect the soundcard to the speakers using COAX cable but when I go to the settings panel, it will only allow me to select either Headphones or 2.1 as my options under digital output. The only way I can get the full 5.1 is by using the analog cables. Also, even when using analog cables, my center speaker does not play anything, only the 4 satelites. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[PunkRawk911]

Ok, so from some reading done on Newegg, the digital out only applies to 2.1, so I'm better off just sticking with the analog?

[Theocnoob]

Ok, so from some reading done on Newegg, the digital out only applies to 2.1, so I'm better off just sticking with the analog?

SPDIF / digital out will support 5.1

Apparently the analog support on those speakers (using 3 analog ports on the soundcard) is not impressive, especially with poor OPAMPS like on that card.

My advise is to use the SPDIF out... or another digital out.

[PunkRawk911]

I have no option to select 5.1 in any settings I can find, all I can get is 2.1.

[Theocnoob]

That sounds very odd...

I'd look for other people who have the Xfi and see what they say

[PunkRawk911]

That sounds very odd...

I'd look for other people who have the Xfi and see what they say

I'll certainly try and do that.

So, Theocnoob, after reading through some other posts on these forums it seems that you are a very big fan of the Xonar D2. My biggest concern with a sound card is the audio quality it will provide for listening to music, I really don't game all that often. Is there anything in particular you could tell me about that card that would make me think a switch to the Xonar would be a good idea?

[satandole666]

To the OP:

I had the same problem with my X-Fi and Z-5500s. I never figured out how to resolve it so I just used the composite cables. It worked fine for me so I didn't dig any deeper. I would try to recreate my problem but my speakers are serving as my entertainment center surround sound ATM.

[Mr. Roboto]

You just need to check of the digital output box, when you're using the digital out, selecting a speaker configuration won't change anything, the card is just passing the sound as it is recieved. SO, if you're listening to an mp3, it's going to pass through the stereo sound. Also, you're not going to get 5.1 in games with a digital connection. You'll be good for movies though.

What are you trying to accomplish by using the digital out? You might be switching to it for the wrong reasons.

[Mpegger]

To clear up Mr. Roboto's post (even I was confused upon first reading it :beer: );

The X-Fi will only output a normal 2 channel (stereo) audio stream from the digital output, regardless of any speaker settings you may choose within the cards software setup program. No multi-channel audio of any kind will be outputted through the digital jack, only left front and right front (stereo). The only multi-channel output from a digital connection that can occur is with pre-encoded multi-channel audio, either a Dolby Digital track, or a DTS track, which you normally find on a DVD movie.

Newer sound cards which support real-time multi-channel encoding, such as Dolby Digital Live, or DTSConnect, can output multi-channel audio from anything (such as a game or if your using some fancy audio spacializer plug-in for your audio player for "surround sound" music) through a regular digital connection.

[Mr. Roboto]

Hah, thanks, sorry, long day at work, i was tired.

[cybertron2600y]

Hey guys... I'm a bit confused here. I just picked up the X-fi Xtremegamer, and the z-5500 speakers. I can use the coax from my on board sound card and I get 5.1 w/ DTS music, DVDs, AC3, etc. Mpegger, you are saying that 5.1 will only come out when using pre-encoded audio such as what I just listed right?

I'm trying to figure out when you'd want 5.1 any other time? if its not in 5.1, how would putting it in 5.1 be of any benefit? maybe i'm missing something. Thanks in advance guys.

[nd4spdbh2]

To clear up Mr. Roboto's post (even I was confused upon first reading it :beer: );

The X-Fi will only output a normal 2 channel (stereo) audio stream from the digital output, regardless of any speaker settings you may choose within the cards software setup program. No multi-channel audio of any kind will be outputted through the digital jack, only left front and right front (stereo). The only multi-channel output from a digital connection that can occur is with pre-encoded multi-channel audio, either a Dolby Digital track, or a DTS track, which you normally find on a DVD movie.

Newer sound cards which support real-time multi-channel encoding, such as Dolby Digital Live, or DTSConnect, can output multi-channel audio from anything (such as a game or if your using some fancy audio spacializer plug-in for your audio player for "surround sound" music) through a regular digital connection.

damn made my job alot easier...

Now the thing is, lets all cross our fingers. Auzentec's X-FI prelude uses the X-FI... nothing special about it... the same X-FI thats on the xtrememusic and up... yet the auzentec has DDL... all because of drivers, and guess who makes their drivers... CREATIVE, so lets hope creative releases drivers for us X-FI guys that have DDL support, cus i would love that.

[Mpegger]

Hey guys... I'm a bit confused here. I just picked up the X-fi Xtremegamer, and the z-5500 speakers. I can use the coax from my on board sound card and I get 5.1 w/ DTS music, DVDs, AC3, etc. Mpegger, you are saying that 5.1 will only come out when using pre-encoded audio such as what I just listed right?

Correct.

I'm trying to figure out when you'd want 5.1 any other time? if its not in 5.1, how would putting it in 5.1 be of any benefit? maybe i'm missing something. Thanks in advance guys.

Your just telling the OS your speaker configuration so that any applications that makes use of audio will know how to output its sound. For instance, some games will only allow stereo (2-channel) option if the OS is reporting a stereo speaker steup to it, even if the game supports more then 2 speakers. If your OS reports that you have a 5.1 setup, then the game could allow the standard 2-channel option, along with others like 2.1, 4 channel, 3.1, 4.1, and even 5.1.

But again, if your using a digital cable to connect to your speakers, it will have no effect as the sound card will output a stereo PCM signal over the digital cable. You can have the game setup for 5.1, but you will still only get stereo because of a digital cable, unless the sound card supports DDLive, or DTSConnect! That is the only way to get multi-channel sound through a digital connection from your PC to your equipment (speaker with built-in decoder, HT reciever, etc).

[nd4spdbh2]

OH SNAP!!! check this thread out over at creative.... DDL on creative X-FI cards doesnt look far off!

http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs/board/message?board.id=soundblaster&message.id=111427

[Mr. Roboto]

Oh wow, that's really interesting. I have my computer hooked up both through analog and digital, so it's not really a big deal for me, but it's still interesting.