Realtek Alc889a and DTS-Connect

saibot · 11-06-07, 08:58 AM

I've a gigabyte ga-p35-ds3 motherboard with the Realtek ALC889a onboard soundchip, Winxp-sp2. R1.80 HD drivers and poweredvd utlra. I've this connected to my amp via spdif, and it plays everything such as dvd,avi fine (so 5.1 dolbly/DTS passthrough works).

From reading various threads people have suggested that this alcs889a supports DTS-connect, however when I try to listen to any of the HD audio tracks on bluray/hddvd I still only get 2 channel PCM. Anyone with a similar setup got this working ?

thanks...

Dodgexander · 11-06-07, 12:28 PM

I thought DTS Connect was optional software implement in the drivers.

Patrick McGuire · 11-06-07, 09:39 PM

DTS Connect is derived surround from two channel audio and DTS passthrough. For HD audio from Blu-ray and HD DVD use analog 5.1 out from the motherboard jack panel to your amp 5.1 inputs. You will be limited to 48kHz/16 bit audio though. I've got the Gigabyte DS4 and the motherboard HD Audio sounds good but I can't decide if it's really superior to the lower bit rate SPDIF.

pcCinema · 11-06-07, 09:59 PM

I have a ga-p35-ds3r just like yours but have only run Vista on it so far. I see absolutely
nothing at all in the realtek control panel that references DTS connect, simply DD and DTS passthrough. Sound quality is excellent though via spdif for anything I have thrown
at it. Amazing how far on board sound solutions have evolved...

If there's supposed to be DTS connect someone tell us how... I probably wouldn't use that much except maybe that would be good for games.

I prefer spdif to analog out in general but to be honest I have not even tried analog out on this yet. I will eventually.

Troy

Patrick McGuire · 11-06-07, 11:16 PM

With the Realtek ALC889A chipset there should be a sound manager icon in the tray. Open it, click on DTS Interactive, you have 5.1 over SPDIF for games, movies, whatever. Cuts off the analog though.

Edit: Doesn't just derive 5.1 from 2 channel, encodes on the fly 5.1 from games. Just checked with Call of Duty 4 and 5.1 works perfect.

saibot · 11-07-07, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick McGuire

With the Realtek ALC889A chipset there should be a sound manager icon in the tray. Open it, click on DTS Interactive, you have 5.1 over SPDIF for games, movies, whatever. Cuts off the analog though.

Edit: Doesn't just derive 5.1 from 2 channel, encodes on the fly 5.1 from games. Just checked with Call of Duty 4 and 5.1 works perfect.

thanks for the replies, Can you tell me what OS/Driver version you are using as I dont see that DTS interactive ?

This is a reply I got from realtek on the issue

"I'm sorry . Your audio system did not be support DTS encoder by driver ." which seems to suggest the R1.80 driver doesnt have dts encoding.

Patrick McGuire · 11-07-07, 05:47 PM

In WinXP device mgr. under Realtek High Defintion Audio I have driver version 5.10.0.5404. It may be that the DS3 motherboard does not come with DTS Connect. I imagine DTS charges extra for Connect, so only the higher end boards have it. You might try the HD audio drivers for the DS4 and see if they work. Kinda doubt it though. Good luck.

saibot · 11-08-07, 04:12 AM

Unfortunately I think your right Patrick, thanks for all your help though.

ladams1956 · 11-19-07, 07:58 PM

So....can this play sound thru both the SPDIF and analog outputs at the same time? I'm using TheaterTek and am playing ripped DVDs and would like to get the audio thru the SPDIF and analog outputs at the same time.

11-06-07, 08:58 AM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
saibot New Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 6	Realtek Alc889a and DTS-Connect I've a gigabyte ga-p35-ds3 motherboard with the Realtek ALC889a onboard soundchip, Winxp-sp2. R1.80 HD drivers and poweredvd utlra. I've this connected to my amp via spdif, and it plays everything such as dvd,avi fine (so 5.1 dolbly/DTS passthrough works). From reading various threads people have suggested that this alcs889a supports DTS-connect, however when I try to listen to any of the HD audio tracks on bluray/hddvd I still only get 2 channel PCM. Anyone with a similar setup got this working ? thanks...

11-06-07, 09:39 PM	#3 \| Link
Patrick McGuire Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 215	DTS Connect is derived surround from two channel audio and DTS passthrough. For HD audio from Blu-ray and HD DVD use analog 5.1 out from the motherboard jack panel to your amp 5.1 inputs. You will be limited to 48kHz/16 bit audio though. I've got the Gigabyte DS4 and the motherboard HD Audio sounds good but I can't decide if it's really superior to the lower bit rate SPDIF. Last edited by Patrick McGuire; 11-06-07 at 11:07 PM..

11-06-07, 09:59 PM	#4 \| Link
pcCinema Crash test dummy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 4,982	I have a ga-p35-ds3r just like yours but have only run Vista on it so far. I see absolutely nothing at all in the realtek control panel that references DTS connect, simply DD and DTS passthrough. Sound quality is excellent though via spdif for anything I have thrown at it. Amazing how far on board sound solutions have evolved... If there's supposed to be DTS connect someone tell us how... I probably wouldn't use that much except maybe that would be good for games. I prefer spdif to analog out in general but to be honest I have not even tried analog out on this yet. I will eventually. Troy __________________ The Non-Profit Home Theater Company will make your HTPC experience much easier. Link for info on our first project

11-06-07, 11:16 PM	#5 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
Patrick McGuire Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 215	With the Realtek ALC889A chipset there should be a sound manager icon in the tray. Open it, click on DTS Interactive, you have 5.1 over SPDIF for games, movies, whatever. Cuts off the analog though. Edit: Doesn't just derive 5.1 from 2 channel, encodes on the fly 5.1 from games. Just checked with Call of Duty 4 and 5.1 works perfect. Last edited by Patrick McGuire; 11-06-07 at 11:27 PM..

11-06-07, 12:28 PM	#2 \| Link
Dodgexander Flying v! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leiden, in that small city the: Netherlands, in Amsterdam, Europe :) Posts: 766	I thought DTS Connect was optional software implement in the drivers.

11-07-07, 05:47 PM	#7 \| Link
Patrick McGuire Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 215	In WinXP device mgr. under Realtek High Defintion Audio I have driver version 5.10.0.5404. It may be that the DS3 motherboard does not come with DTS Connect. I imagine DTS charges extra for Connect, so only the higher end boards have it. You might try the HD audio drivers for the DS4 and see if they work. Kinda doubt it though. Good luck.

11-08-07, 04:12 AM	#8 \| Link
saibot New Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 6	Unfortunately I think your right Patrick, thanks for all your help though.

11-19-07, 07:58 PM	#9 \| Link
ladams1956 New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1	So....can this play sound thru both the SPDIF and analog outputs at the same time? I'm using TheaterTek and am playing ripped DVDs and would like to get the audio thru the SPDIF and analog outputs at the same time.