PC Sound Card capable of decoding Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD signals?

[suraswami]

Is there a Sound Card that is capable of Decoding Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD signals? If so where can I buy it?

[kwchang007]

I think they only way you can do this is pass through hdmi 1.3 to the reciever which has to decode it. I'm looking, but don't see any.

[suraswami]

Some motherboards specify that it has in-build high definition audio. Will this do DDHD and DTSHD decoding?

[kwchang007]

Originally Posted by suraswami

Some motherboards specify that it has in-build high definition audio. Will this do DDHD and DTSHD decoding?

I doubt it, probably will read of the dolby digital and dts tracks.

[niko084]

TrueHD can't be sent over standard SPDIF, you need balanced TLS or alike cables for it.

NO HDMI will NOT work either, as HDMI is nothing short of slightly more bandwidth then Component Video with standard SPDIF audio.

So as far as outputting decoded TrueHD, I highly doubt there is a internal sound card that will do it.

Honestly your much better off letting your receiver do the decoding anyways.
If you are trying to use computer speakers for TrueHD, you shouldn't even both
as there are no computer speakers around that will make you able to notice the
difference.

[kwchang007]

Originally Posted by niko084

TrueHD can't be sent over standard SPDIF, you need balanced TLS or alike cables for it.

NO HDMI will NOT work either, as HDMI is nothing short of slightly more bandwidth then Component Video with standard SPDIF audio.

So as far as outputting decoded TrueHD, I highly doubt there is a internal sound card that will do it.

Honestly your much better off letting your receiver do the decoding anyways.
If you are trying to use computer speakers for TrueHD, you shouldn't even both
as there are no computer speakers around that will make you able to notice the
difference.

I imagine he wants to use this as an HTPC. Also, HDMI 1.3 can send HD sound formats along with the video, and the sound can also be in bit stream I believe. Oh and SPDIF....if you do use that, it will still sound better than dvds due to the high stream rate (or w/e its called) of HD DVD and Blu-ray.

[niko084]

Originally Posted by kwchang007

I imagine he wants to use this as an HTPC. Also, HDMI 1.3 can send HD sound formats along with the video, and the sound can also be in bit stream I believe. Oh and SPDIF....if you do use that, it will still sound better than dvds due to the high stream rate (or w/e its called) of HD DVD and Blu-ray.

True I forgot about that, HDMI 1.3 will allow fully unpacked TrueHD

Other than that they require they require transcoding.

But then again we are back to square one where it cannot be done by a sound card *yet*.
I don't know if a standard PCI slot would have the bandwidth for it.

I don't know a ton about HTPC design in the ultra high end, but you should check out
AVSforums.com they have a lot of people that are entry level to extremists there.

[Steevo]

Few capatalised on DTS over Dolby, despite DTS having better sound performance. Very few used SPDIF fiberoptic, and too many people gobbled down HDMI too soon.




Now we are getting Display Port, but all HD Digital cable boxes must have a FireWire port on them by law to transfer media.........




Ahh the crap we put ourselves through.

[niko084]

SPDIF optical vs SPDIF cable makes no difference, except cost and distance ability.

There have been many rumors of optical having less SQ and standard coax having no bandwidth... It's all crap, all depends on the quality of your cable, and in the low end - top end, they match up.

[suraswami]

Ya I am trying to use my HTPC to connect to my new receiver. Unfortunately the Video card doesn't have straight HDMI, I am using DVI to HDMI. So I am loosing the Audio codec thru HDMI (I tried to save money and now it sucks). New receiver (once againt low on budget so couldn't afford for HD decoding receiver) will do 7.1 channel output. The receiver will still be good if I can a audio card that does HD decoding and transfers thru anolog ports so it will go into my receiver's anolog ports.

[suraswami]

I am currently using Coaxial digital cable for digital output from my sound card into the receivers coaxial.

[kwchang007]

Based on what you've been saying, I don't think you really can do anything better than what you have right now....

[niko084]

Sounds good.

I can't wait to pick up another 1212M so I can TLS into my studio monitors again.

[Steevo]

Originally Posted by niko084

SPDIF optical vs SPDIF cable makes no difference, except cost and distance ability.

There have been many rumors of optical having less SQ and standard coax having no bandwidth... It's all crap, all depends on the quality of your cable, and in the low end - top end, they match up.

30' SPDIF 5 strand optical for $15 off fleabay. There is always the chance of a bit of noise getting in to a wired cable. But regardless it was cheaper than 99% of cables.


And you are right, there is no difference besides the remote possability of interfereance in a coaxial cable.

There is a thread around here where I used the optic loopback to check my cable (s) for signal loss among other things. There is no loss. There is no difference. There is no problem man.

[Darren]

suraswami,

To my knowledge there is no card currently that will encode through TrueHD or DTS HD on the fly. However if your willing to settle for encoding Dolby or DTS on the fly via SPDIF there are a few soundcards that do this.

Auzentech X-meridian (out of production, but most reliable can find on ebay)
Auzentech X-Fi Prelude (If your willing to deal with Creative's crappy support)
Auzen X-Plosion 7.1 DTS Connect (cheapest)

http://www.auzentech.com/site/produc...p#xtension_din
http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_prelude.php
http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-plosion.php

[Steevo]

Turtle Beach Montego.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...09&Tpk=Montego


Dump the drivers on the disk, download the C-media drivers and enjoy better sound, and fiber output.

[suraswami]

I do have 7.1 channel decoding Diamond PCI sound card. It has both coaxial input and output. I am using opensource drivers and the sound is awesome. I just finished setting up my Denon Receiver and Infinity Sorround speakers. Watched Spiderman3 and the sound is hair rising.

[btarunr]

HT Omega Striker 7.1 Plus is tailor made for you. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271001

[Hawk1]

Head-fi is a great place to learn about computers and audio, and for if your are/become a serious Audiophile. Some great information there.

[niko084]

Originally Posted by Darren

suraswami,

To my knowledge there is no card currently that will encode through TrueHD or DTS HD on the fly. However if your willing to settle for encoding Dolby or DTS on the fly via SPDIF there are a few soundcards that do this.

Auzentech X-meridian (out of production, but most reliable can find on ebay)
Auzentech X-Fi Prelude (If your willing to deal with Creative's crappy support)
Auzen X-Plosion 7.1 DTS Connect (cheapest)

http://www.auzentech.com/site/produc...p#xtension_din
http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_prelude.php
http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-plosion.php

As far as DTS is concerned my Audigy 2ZS will do that...

[Darren]

Originally Posted by niko084

As far as DTS is concerned my Audigy 2ZS will do that...

I was under the impression the Audigy 2Zs only did a upmix of DTS-ES and Neo:6 and only decodes but doesn't encode. DTS and DD is only via pass through on real DVDs via SPDIF.

[niko084]

Originally Posted by Darren

I was under the impression the Audigy 2Zs only did a upmix of DTS-ES and Neo:6 and only decodes but doesn't encode. DTS and DD is only via pass through on real DVDs via SPDIF.

Eh you might be right, I don't use it.

[suraswami]

Originally Posted by btarunr

HT Omega Striker 7.1 Plus is tailor made for you. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271001

Thanks. That looks good and little expensive for now. May be I will upgrade later. But currently have this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829111001

The drivers from diamond are crap. I connect the Coaxial out to my receiver and when playing a movie there will be occasional 1 sec slip in audio. So I downloaded from the website everybody is talking about that card in newegg. Its great now. Sound is very clear, never breaks or cracks. As far as my knowledge this one is good.

[niko084]

This is another good card...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829121006

But they can be a pain, but once you get them working they are beautiful.
HT Omega is also a great card for the price though.

[suraswami]

Thanks all. For now I will live with this card. I am going to wait for next generation cards that will do Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD signals and upgrade at that time.