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PC outputing Dvd Audio analog. Do I need a preamplifier or reciever for full 5.1?

post #1 of 3
10/19/09 at 1:19pm
Thread Starter 
I notice the sound in the 2 rear speakers in my z-5500 speakers is muted when playing dolby digital 5.1 sound or dvd audio.
This is using either a toslink optical from my ps3 to the z-5500, or from my pc using analog from the x-fi prelude to the z-5500.

I read this in the dvd audio wiki: "In order to play DVD-Audio, a preamplifier or surround controller with six analog inputs was originally required.

Whereas DVD-Video audio formats such as Dolby Digital and DTS can be sent via the player's digital output to a receiver for conversion to analog form and distribution to speakers, DVD-Audio is not allowed to be delivered via unencrypted digital audio link at sample rates higher than 48 kHz (i.e., ordinary DVD-Video quality) due to concerns about digital copying."

So long question short: do I need a reciever or pre-amplifier in order to get full 5.1 sound from dolby digital, and 5.1 analog from my soundcard?

I wish somebody told me I needed one as I've spent Years wondering why the rear speakers were muted and 5.1 sounded like stereo?
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post #2 of 3
10/19/09 at 1:41pm
8:13,

From your post I'm not sure if you understand that the wiki entry is for DVD-Audio (the format). As you may or may not know, DVD-Audio format is a hi-res audio format different than regular DVD format. In the DVD-Audio format, a DVD-Audio disc has the audio in the disc's AUDIO_TS folder where as a regular DVD has it in the VIDEO_TS folder.

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"So long question short: do I need a reciever or pre-amplifier in order to get full 5.1 sound from dolby digital, and 5.1 analog from my soundcard?"
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If you are sending DD/DTS over your S/PDIF then you need something on the other end that decodes DD/DTS. If you are sending 5.1 analog from the computer then you need something on the other end with 5.1 analog inputs.

When playing from your pc using analog from the x-fi prelude to the z-5500, do you have windows / prelude settings set for 6 speakers (5.1)? If not, set this and try again. If so, what is the source material that you are playing, and what player are you using? In the player, do you have speakers set for 5.1?
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post #3 of 3
10/19/09 at 2:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherbona View Post

When playing from your pc using analog from the x-fi prelude to the z-5500, do you have windows / prelude settings set for 6 speakers (5.1)? If not, set this and try again.

Yes, it is set to 5.1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherbona View Post

If so, what is the source material that you are playing, and what player are you using? In the player, do you have speakers set for 5.1?

I use dvd movies, not ripped: Ghost in the Shell Innocence, Equilibrium, The Transporter, etc...

I use ffdshow audio, and it is set to 5.1 output.
I tried some blu ray movies using powerdvd ultra with powerdvd ultra set to 6 speakers.

I wonder if my z-5500 isn't functioning properly. I set the audio levels of each speaker using the z-5500 test sound, and windows media player audio sounds nice when stereo is converted to 5.1 using the x-fi feature that does this conversion.

I hear some sound but it's at a way lower level than the front speakers, like it's at 1 not 10.
I have also set the sound using a tripod and a sound level meter.
The speakers are at the proper distance for the z-5500: arms length and a bit further out.
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