SBLive!

[tommy]

Does it matter which SBLive! I have in order to get "true" 5.1 DD through the spdif connection when using software players?

Are the new SBLive! 5.1 series mcuh better than the old ones?

You need a daughterboard add-on with the original SBLives to get the S/PDIF phono output. Check out http://www.soundblaster.com/accessories/optical-io/.
You do need this to cnovert the digial signal to the right voltage for AV amps.
£57 is quite pricey. You might want to go straight for a SBLive platinum which has the daughterboard built into the front unit.
At £180, for the 5.1 thing, it's quite expensive and largely pointless if you already have a 5.1 amp.

My SBLive 1024 was an oem brown bag job from ccl computers. It was approx £36 and it has the yellow minijack out on the back which does a fine job of outputting 5.1 sound to my DD T.v on a 35 foot run of coax!
I had heard that this output was not of the correct voltage for some amps but not all, certainly mine works a treat.
What exactly do you mean by "true"?

[tommy]

All SBLive! cards prior to the 5.1 versions were to my knowledge not able to output 5.1 DD through the spdif, only 2 or 4 channel sound...
With "true" I meant a 5.1 DD signal that could be fed to an ordinary DD amp/receiver.

No, Its not a problem!
Im using WinDvD software with spdif output enabled and my tv has an inbuilt 5.1 AND DTS amp. When i play a DvD the tv acknowledges a 5.1 input on screen and gives me full dolby digital sound (L,R,Centre,Stereo Rear & LFE channel). I wouldnt imagine theres anything particularly special about my TV's inbuilt amp - Surely a separate DD amp could do the same?
On delphi.com in the dvddigest forum there are other people who have managed to do the same. Also check this site:- http://alive.singnet.com.sg/tech/digital-io.htm
Theres also a good forum linked from the above site.
Hope that helps.

Yes, the standard SBLive DOES have digital output, BUT it's the wrong voltage and could damage some amps/receivers. DO NOT use the raw digital output from an SBLive without a daughterboard.

HC Dude, where did you get that crock from? a hoontech retailer!!!!

Apparently the RETAIL CARDS do output too much voltage but creative labs reckon this is not a problem and WILL NOT damage a recieving amplifier. If you still dont trust it get an OEM board as these do output the standard voltage.
The Live Drive and Hoontech daughtercards have some great features and connectability but if all you want is a DD5.1 digital pass-thru then you will be wasting your money.
LOOK:-
Taken From http://www.3dsoundsurge.com/reviews/...eDrive-p2.html :-

"When it comes to AC-3/DTS pass-thru the DVD player you use needs to support it. WinDVD and PowerDVD 2.55 are two players that supports AC-3 pass-thru using any of the Live cards that have SPDIF out, EITHER ON BOARD OR USING A DAUGHTERCARD."

"If you just want Digital Coaxial RCA output and have one of the CT4760 or CT483x boards you can buy a mono mini-jack to RCA adapter (costs less than $3) or use a stereo mini-jack to dual RCA cable. One of the RCA connections will carry the front out while the other carries the rear output."

"While its worth noting that the 1/8" mini-jack on the new Live CT4760 cards (Platinum, X-Gamer, Live!Player 1024 and MP3+) outputs 2.0 volts DC and the COAX SPDIF out spec calls for 0.5 volts DC, Creative Labs and other sources have all confirmed that there is no risk of damage to the device receiving the 2.0 volt signal. Mark and I have used this mini-jack connection successfully with both the Cambridge Soundworks DTT2500 and Videologic DigiTheatre 5.1 system with no issues so it really is a great way to get COAX SPDIF out if that’s all you are looking for. The new CT483x (OEM) boards and the LiveDrives output 0.5 V just like the standard calls for."


Taken From http://www.3dsoundsurge.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000323.html :-

"In terms of how the cable is working, you are disgarding one of the digital outputs (the side that's used for the rear in Creative's DIN connection so essentially it's just a normal COAX connection at that point. One thing to be aware of even though we have seen no issues with it (and Creative and others have said there should be no issues) is the digital out via the mini-jack on the RETAIL boards is greater voltage than the 0.5 volt SPDIF standard.

You don't have to use this cable but it's an inexpensive way to accomplish 100 percent truly digigal Dolby Digital and DTS passthru."

Originally posted by T_Strife:
HC Dude, where did you get that crock from? a hoontech retailer!!!!

Apparently the RETAIL CARDS do output too much voltage but creative labs reckon this is not a problem and WILL NOT damage a recieving amplifier.

Well apparently you get your crock from Creative Labs. I believe the community of people over at the AVS Forum who between them probably know more than anyone else.
At $14 for the Hoontech board, it's best be safe than sorry. And people over there HAVE experienced problems with raw output.

My crock is from 3d soundsurge, Alive!, Creative labs, Digital digest + forum, DvD Infomatrix, The 7th zone, Intervideo Windvd, and of course the very knowledgeable people in the AVS forum, http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/001110.html http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/001252.html http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/001330.html http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/001362.html http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/001432.html http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/001457.html http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/001463.html http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/001493.html http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/001562.html
As much as i want to believe all the above sources i am concerned by your insistence that BAD things could happen to my amp - I really DO NOT want to damage it!
Please be a little more helpful and supply some useful information.

------------------

The most recent article you referred to in your long list is from January. Look later and you'll see that people started noticing the voltage issue from March. You're evidence is a bit out of date.
But anyhow, you carry on using the signal with the wrong voltage, and if your amp buggers up, do us a favour and let us know so I can fall about laughing.
For everyone else out there just look at the evidence on the AVS Forum and draw your own conclusion.

O.K Im sorry, Black is White...etc.

------------------
What monstrous absurdities and paradoxes have resisted whole batteries of serious arguments, and then crumbled swiftly into dust before the ringing death-knell of a laugh!