What cable do i need?

[Kai_Force]

To go from the Xfi xtreme gamer to a reciever. I think i need an optical cable, but the optical connector in the back of the sound card is in the shape of a regular audio port, like the end of a headset.

Does a regular optical cable fit in it, or do i need some adapter or something? :confused:

The Sound Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006

[Smitty209]

check out the link below. you need this to be able to use the optical out. The digital I/O on the card is called a flexijack (thats the white thing that you said looks like a headphone jack). the connector in the link plugs into the white flexijack on the back of your card.

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=1780&category=1

after that all you need is an optical audio cable and you should be good to go.

[Kai_Force]

thanks bro, this looks awesome :santa:

[gamefan]

so let me get this straight. If you also buy a set of speakers with a decoder built in, then this add on hardware, and then pay to purchase the PowerDVD software, then you'll surely be able to watch a movie in surround sound (the bare minimum standard format)?

[bchur83]

You dont need to buy any software, just set WMP to SPDIF audio out and it will pass through the digital signal to the receiver/speakers.

[Sir Barton]

you dont even need that Creative doo-hickey to do it either. Go to Rat Shack and get yourself a 1/8" mono to mono RCA adaptor, and run a coaxial digital cable from the digital I/O flexi-jack. Cost you about $3 instead of $15.

[gamefan]

I always have a mini to RCA around, more like a dozen these days. Does it matter if its a "mono" to "mono" or will the average stereo version work too?

Oh and if I read it right now, you need one of each, the above and the dig coax?

Actually I just went throught the process of finding out that there is isn't much diff b/t a std. cable, especially a video RCA type cable, and a "digital coax" and they are interchangable. The video type are constructed identically, and has to do with the 59 Ohms (or was 75) obviously more suited to this cable config. The number of conductors is the same, one version is jyust wraped like a tv cable, with the outer foil wrap (too?). My Monster Video2 cables have the foil wrap, but are also usable for audio & v/v, ditto. I really don't know the details but it may be that if there is no apparent problem, then there is no problem, as I learned about shielded cables inside my pooter once, actuallly no, it was a 15' monitor extension cable, onr $7 with lines and one $22 w/o lines, cuz it had a magnet wrapped insdie the plastic sheilding on both ends. What I'm getting at is it probably possible to use one for both, especially if stereo version is ok. I read about this somewhere else today, soundblaster forums. Probably just about getting from A to B, but I think this applies only to the dig coax, no other input connection. This would be good to know.

[Sir Barton]

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102693&cp=&sr=1&kw=1%2F8+to+phono&origkw=1%2F8+to+phono&parentPage=search

this is what you need

[Smitty209]

dude. He said he wanted OPTICAL out. In order to get that from the proprietary jack (its called a flexijack, it passes a both a digital and analog signal, the digital signal is 7.1 audio) he needs the adapter from creative. If he uses that to run the OPTICAL out to his reciever, the reciever will decode the audio and send it to his 7.1 (or 5.1, or whatever setup) he has. No additional software or adapters needed.
*I'm talking about the original poster by the way*
*edited for clarification and courtesy.

[Smitty209]

you dont even need that Creative doo-hickey to do it either. Go to Rat Shack and get yourself a 1/8" mono to mono RCA adaptor, and run a coaxial digital cable from the digital I/O flexi-jack. Cost you about $3 instead of $15.

rereading this post, I realize this is definitely a good option to save a few bucks. However optical is not a possibility w/o that 15 buck adapter.

[Sir Barton]

Youre still feeding a digital signal to the receiver to be decoded regardless if youre using opitcal or coaxial. It works both ways.

[Kai_Force]

I live next to a rad shack, ill run over there 1 of theez days, considering its so cheap

[Smitty209]

Youre still feeding a digital signal to the receiver to be decoded regardless if youre using opitcal or coaxial. It works both ways.
Gotcha, I jumped the gun before I re-read the post. Totally makes sense.

[Kai_Force]

Ok sweet, bought the adapter, ill post back once i find a coaxial digital cable lol

[Sir Barton]

Ok sweet, bought the adapter, ill post back once i find a coaxial digital cable lol

If you have a composite video cable laying around that will work perfectly. Coaxial digital audio cables and composite video cables are built to the exact same specs.

[gamefan]

....and if my assumptions are correct, you could try any cable, audio or video in the mean time.

I also have this extremgamer card, and an input for an external decoder- the 5500s. Can't you just plug the cable into the jack directly (if going the coax route).

Which adaptor did you get Kai_Force?, the radio shack or the sb thing?

wrt the plug (M) (and jack), I think the position wrt the distance to the end gets from A to B whether its a mono or stero plug/cable setup or not. IOW the stereo version of plug and jack transfers from A to B that which is also transfered form A to B in the mono version and there no no cross contamination or lack thereof to worry about at all. I'm just waiting to learn something here, about this card.

[gamefan]

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/tech_overview.html

under the sixth heading Dolby Digital Live I think I stumbled on something about soundcards vs. home audio decoders that could be good &/or bad. I think in order to have an input like a tv channel audio signal give a 5(.1) surround physically to all speakers you need an audio card that does Dolby Digital Live. Home receivers afaik do not suffer from this distinction, b/t live and not-Live. Also the extremegamer is NOT a Dolby Digital Live type card - that is reserved for the high cards, like the extremegamer Professional Fata1ty 64 X-RAM. However if the source is not "Live" but is a dvd it can give a real 5(.1) physical audio to all spkrs. I downloaded the Cyberlink PowerDVD but it is ambiguous whether this gives downloaders of the Cyberlink PowerDVD downloaded version, DD and DTS. Thats the only way to get DD and DTS with the base retail extremeGAmer, but I'm not even sure if you have to upgrade to the purchased version to do that. Do you know?

Its all about the standard. Getting a real 5(.1) signal from a tv channel without it built in as a standard ausio format is the biggest problem with those of us who spend 95% of out time watching random tv channels. The fact this Dolby Digital Live is a Dolby thing may mean it is a chance they (Dolby) have done something about it. Or maybe it just puts soundcards on the same footing as standalone decoding recievers in that there is no delay for decoding a "Live" signal.

also the Dolby Digital Live could be just to force the issue generally , getting 5(.1) from any signal thta happens to be flowing around inside your pc, for thse who just need to get all watts via all speakers, and is not particularly of effectively addressing the problem I stated (the 95% of time issue). Thats an issue attempted by every mfgr., but unsuccesfully. If Dolby gets involved there is a hope they are listening to th ecomplaints (hopes) of people like me. Anyone?

By the way why are you needing to connect the two, your extremeGamer to your reciever?

Home receivers usu attempt to include a button for facbricating a surround audio physically to 5(.1) when there is just a regualr stero audio signal, for watching TV 95% of the time. My 5500 speakers only have the option of setting DPLII (Dolby Pro Logic Two), selecting DD and DTS does nothing, and there is as great a chance as not that there will be no noticable rear or "matrix" audio to speak of, it sucks, etc., cuz the (any known content/format) source has not been included. There is NO fabrication, and no real attempt to make something form nothing, as is often the case, resulting in crap a majority of the time, when setting the best surround option I have that could possibly even do it. Recievers are better, but not necc. better. DPLII (Dolby Pro Logic Two) & DPL(I) works perfectly for stereo input from vcr tapes though, so theres always a great surround 5(.1). The signal is setoff in frequency &/or amplitude from stereo vcr tape signals so its carrier can be detected and decoded tada seperate form the Front Right & Front Right signal it is piggybacked onto with the stereo (L&R only) cables.

This frequency &/or amplitude is how Dolby noise reduction works fro tape recordings. The hiss (static) is heard in the upper frequency range, introduced by the physical act of the tape passing over the heads. By cranking up the highs during recording, then cranking them down on playback, you also crank down the distortion/hiss. Or something like that.

[gamefan]

I also happen to own a stanalone home dvd player with a coax and optical digital out - a $50 inheritnace, which I use (happily) for really frekin good 5(.1) DD movie audio.

Insdie my pooter I havean LG dvd GSA-H10N, a couple years old, but I am not sure if to do the digital coax output through extrmegamer like you are if I need to connect this dvd to the soundcard with anythng more than the 80-conductor ATA cable.

I am not even sure my dvd has one of those, whether its called an SPDIF or any other name/connection type. Any ideas here?

[gamefan]

heck, it might be worth considering a X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series. Cuz just about everything is probably better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://us.creative.com/local/1/promo/findyoursb/gaming.asp

http://us.creative.com/local/1/promo/findyoursb/welcome.asp

[Kai_Force]

Gamefan: I purchased the radio shack adapter. (Currently un-opened in the case i get a new soundcard)
And, Holy ballz, how long did it take you to type that ^_^


Im talking to another member of the forums about getting an ESI Juli@ Sound card along with a new sound system. http://www.esi-audio.com/products/julia/

Alot of this stuff is very new to me, and your giant post is a bit dificult for me to understand. You said something about..."By the way why are you needing to connect the two, your extremeGamer to your reciever?" Well all i want is an intense sound system for my gaming/movies rig. I am not going to be using the z5500 speaker set, but much more amazing speakers/subs connected to the reciever.

[JamesXP]

Don't know if its been posted but there is a difference between RCA jacks and coaxial (the resistance is differnece) not sure if this affects the sound.

[gamefan]

for me,

games: I am good, but the X-RAM is technically less taxing on the pc, but I don't need the extra now, yet. The extremeGamer is EAX5 & all 5(.1) firing! Happy happy happy. Extra money spent on dvd.

music: mp3s and cds; also fine, great.

movies: I would want even the cheapest standalone dvd home player over a pcs dvd anyday -and I have it, so I'm good. I'd buy one of these too (home standalone dvd players), anyway.

tv surround: I dunno what I can do to fulfil the duty of filling in the 95% of time watching tv w/o a surround audio signal problem - I do not know if Dolby Digital Live is the solution, if thats on receivers (yet), or if there is a receiver solution. Recievers are better anyway, with speakers.

Since I don't want the pc on all the time I watch tv, and I want a dvd home vs. pc type, I am fine fine fine with a plain extremeGamer for music, and movies, and games. And I would be too if I had a receiver and speaker amps (as my 5500s are). The only thing one would want/need, besides what you'd already want to have (a home dvd-any with optical or coaxial digital out) is a receiver &/or speaker amps; or the 5500s. I'd prefer thee receiver with amps and speakers.

The pc controlled audio/video out to tv/speakers is only a bonus, not needed (or worth extra money, good after bad) unless a producer/fanatic.

[Sir Barton]

Gamefan: I purchased the radio shack adapter. (Currently un-opened in the case i get a new soundcard)
And, Holy ballz, how long did it take you to type that ^_^


Im talking to another member of the forums about getting an ESI Juli@ Sound card along with a new sound system. http://www.esi-audio.com/products/julia/

Alot of this stuff is very new to me, and your giant post is a bit dificult for me to understand. You said something about..."By the way why are you needing to connect the two, your extremeGamer to your reciever?" Well all i want is an intense sound system for my gaming/movies rig. I am not going to be using the z5500 speaker set, but much more amazing speakers/subs connected to the reciever.
The ESI Juli@ is an awesome card. Youll find the 2 channel output of it will destroy most any receiver within reasonable budget. The Juli@ will only do 5.1 via digital out, analog will be 2 channel. The DAC on the Juli@ is very good, as its a pro audio card.

[gamefan]

http://www.4electronicwarehouse.com/products/monster/mv2-250.html

http://www.monstercable.com/faqs/
Why use braided copper and foil shielding?

Wheras in a stereo audio cable the inner tube of the plug is a conductor wire flowing current, so is the outer ring of the RCA plug a conductor with a seperate wire. In a video cable the outer ring of the RCA plug is shielding (2 types of shielding for EM and RF). But that type of conduction can be a conductor, a shielding, or a grounding. But generallly not a screw-up. If everythng else is correctly flowing I don't think it can hurt - the fact that the outer shielding is terminated and connects to the equipmment on both sides just means that grounding is accomnplished, which generally is better anyways unless there is a short in the pathway somewhere, including somewhere in the houses electircal wiring, even reversing the hot and neutral (LG and sm blade sizes, plus half-round ground) on the plugs, in which case this could introduce unwanted humming, etc.

And for the mini plugs/jacks the need for mono over stereo (dual mono) doesn't introduce the bridging of positions on the plugs/jacks wrt their distance from the end. I'm just guessing that if it works it works. If it works with a mono plug its gonna work with a stereo plug. With a bonus. Never, usually, not a bad bonus.

p.s. just ignore me ;)

[gamefan]

Kai_Force: I am hoping the OP is going to do this, so I can learn if he has the same experience I have had:
(I may be getting my posts confused: if using a digital cable, you're bypassing the SB for an external decoder: but I want to know how that goes too, to follow!)

The better way being not using the pc when watching movies. You need a standalone home dvd player. To do this if you have pc spkrs with amps built in you are out of luck, unless you have a standalone seperate decoder. But if you have a deceiver with seperate home speakers, or the 5500 speakers you're good.

I can't find DD or DTS, even after having downloaded the PowerDVD, meaning SB and Cyberlink might as well have left off all the details about movies in all the press about this X-Fi extremeGamer card, cuz thats like buying a microwave and getting a toaster; well not really, a cookie sheet. But there is the proprietary stuff for surround sound. The last resort. Apples and oranges. You may get a physical 5(.1) sound in a proprietary version of "surround sound". Curiously, I don't know if DPLIIx kicks in (a down-mix; anybody?)- thats pretty good - but definitely not as advertised.

On the other hand, it has invested in a little "Dolby" - it does have Dolby Pro Logic II x, which is the first thing you'd want to have to create surround sound from a stereo signal (a signal that had no initial surround sound intentions, but you'd really like it; like for TV channels) , its not proprietary as such, its a "Dolby standard" which is always all you want/need. Good for some sources. Unfortunatley I think in order to use this for a t v signal the card needs "Dolby Digital Live", due to a lag or seem other sort of code-decode processing problems. But this card is not "Dolby Digital Live" (you can't do "live" e.g. tv channels in surround, meaning any non-standard surround standard you do get is from a dvd (possibly a file too) only; and one with a better standard on it, too, which you don't get: DD(9/10) or DTS(1/10).

So so ridiculous.