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Help Needed With Creative X-fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series

GT08

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I currently have a Sony 32" HDTV KDL-32V4000. It has a PS3 connected to my HDTV via HDMI cable. The TV has 3 HDMI slots. My PC is connected up to my HDTV as the TV has a PC Input.

The new soundcard by Creative X-Fi TITANIUM FATAL1TY PROFESSIONAL SERIES seems quite intriguing and I was wondering if I can use the soundcard to further enhance the audio when I watch TV, watch, play, listen on PS3 and finally on my PC.

If I Creative can do this then what product of Auzentech can do this?

I have Harmon and Kardon Soundsticks II as my speakers.



I have researched more into this and I have found this AV Receiver.

Sony STRDG820 BLACK (AV RECEIVER - WITH HDMI INTERFACE) £275 with 5 year warranty.

Would I be able to hook up my TV, PC and my PS3 to this AV Receiver and receive both audio and video with my speakers in the AV receiver? If it can but if I need to change the speakers then what sort of speakers should I get?

The last question would be would I be getting better audio on my pc, tv and especially ps3 and blu-ray movies with this AV Receiver?

I am quite taken by this AV Receiver and for its features it has, its pretty cheap?

I hope to hear from you all soon.

Many Thanks

GT08

Edit: Is it worth waiting for this soundcard? Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD which is going to be release end of January. Any ideas how much this is going to be? This souncard may be a lot easier to connect up to my TV + PS3 + PC along with an AV Receiver?
 
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Darren

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I currently have a Sony 32" HDTV KDL-32V4000. It has a PS3 connected to my HDTV via HDMI cable. The TV has 3 HDMI slots. My PC is connected up to my HDTV as the TV has a PC Input.

The new soundcard by Creative X-Fi TITANIUM FATAL1TY PROFESSIONAL SERIES seems quite intriguing and I was wondering if I can use the soundcard to further enhance the audio when I watch TV, watch, play, listen on PS3 and finally on my PC.

If I Creative can do this then what product of Auzentech can do this?

I have Harmon and Kardon Soundsticks II as my speakers.



I have researched more into this and I have found this AV Receiver.

Sony STRDG820 BLACK (AV RECEIVER - WITH HDMI INTERFACE) £275 with 5 year warranty.

Would I be able to hook up my TV, PC and my PS3 to this AV Receiver and receive both audio and video with my speakers in the AV receiver? If it can but if I need to change the speakers then what sort of speakers should I get?

The last question would be would I be getting better audio on my pc, tv and especially ps3 and blu-ray movies with this AV Receiver?

I am quite taken by this AV Receiver and for its features it has, its pretty cheap?

I hope to hear from you all soon.

Many Thanks




GT08

Edit: Is it worth waiting for this soundcard? Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD which is going to be release end of January. Any ideas how much this is going to be? This souncard may be a lot easier to connect up to my TV + PS3 + PC along with an AV Receiver?

I'd wait for the Auzen X-Fi Home Theater HD reviews to emerge on the internet before making any major purchases, remember the X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty supports only Dolby Digital encoding over fibre/coaxial, it lacks HDMI inputs and it doesn't have support for DTS encoding (however it will happy decode DTS from supported pre-encoded DVDs)

The Auzen X-FI Home Theater HD supports HDMI connectivitiy with the new standards such as Dolby True HD and DTS Masters which is found on the new BluRay videos. The Auzen X-Fi can also encode stereo into regular Dolby Digital or DTS bit streams. (The X-Fi Titanium can encode just Dolby bit streams from stereo)


If DTS Masters and Dolby True HD via HDMI isn't your interest and you are happy with regular DD/DTS encoding using coaxial or fibre, there are cheaper soundcards on the market which will fulfil this requirement.

Edit:

From the specification the Sony strdg820 looks good :)
 

GT08

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I'd wait for the Auzen X-Fi Home Theater HD reviews to emerge on the internet before making any major purchases, remember the X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty supports only Dolby Digital encoding over fibre/coaxial, it lacks HDMI inputs and it doesn't have support for DTS encoding (however it will happy decode DTS from supported pre-encoded DVDs)

The Auzen X-FI Home Theater HD supports HDMI connectivitiy with the new standards such as Dolby True HD and DTS Masters which is found on the new BluRay videos. The Auzen X-Fi can also encode stereo into regular Dolby Digital or DTS bit streams. (The X-Fi Titanium can encode just Dolby bit streams from stereo)


If DTS Masters and Dolby True HD via HDMI isn't your interest and you are happy with regular DD/DTS encoding using coaxial or fibre, there are cheaper soundcards on the market which will fulfil this requirement.

Edit:

From the specification the Sony strdg820 looks good :)


Thank you for your reply.

I am highly interested in the DTS Masters and Dolby True HD via HDMI but my concern is that would it also offer regular DD/DTS as well along with the DTS Masters and Dolby True HD (Auzen X-Fi Home Theater HD). If it doesn't deliver constant HD audio, would it automatically decode regular DD/DTS and deliver that audio quality? I am not entirely sure how it would work out. Maybe if the Auzen X-Fi Home Theater HD doesn't support the regular, would I need to buy another soundcard alongside it or would the AV Receiver deliver the regular DD/DTS audio if it can't deliver HD audio. Manual switch? Or switch with a controller/button?

If this soundcard does indeed support the regular and HD then this soundcard looks very promising. I'm guessing I will not receive HD audio constantly if the audio is not HD in the first place (e.g blu-ray movies or maybe PS3 games). I have stopped buying regular DVD's and I have started to buy blu-ray discs as they are not much expensive as in comparison to when DVD's first came out.


I hope to hear your points in this very soon.

GT08
 

Darren

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GT08,

The Auzen X-Fi Home Theater HD supports "encoding" of basic DTS and Dolby Digital meaning that if you play a MP3 file on your computer you can manually enable the "DTS interactive" or "Dolby Digital Live" feature and it will encode the channels from stereo into either DTS or DD bit streams for the AV receiver to decode - just a few other sounds cards can do this. - using a digital cable

In addition, Auzen X-Fi Home Theater HD's unique selling point is its HDMI output; it can output, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD or DTS Masters via pass-through for the AV receiver to decode without down sampling and with video signals being sent simultaneously. I believe only the Auzen X-Fi Home Theater HD can currently offer this.

I believe the HDMI features is only passthrough so the original material must be pre-encoded in either Digital Plus, Dolby Digital True HD or DTS Masters e.g. from a real BluRay movie title. But remember the Auzen X-Fi Home Theater is capable of encoding on the fly regular DD and DTS sources from stereo sources.

You said that you have a PS3, PS3 games are pre-encoded in regular Dolby Digital 5.1 bitstreams so you could connect a fibre/coaxial cable from the PS3 to the Sony strdg 820. The PS3 only offers Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and Masters on supported BluRay movie titles.

Edit:

I would believe that there would be a manual switch within the soundcards software to toogle between DD and the HD formats, but you have to wait for the soundcard to be released before we find reviews on how Auzentech have implemented the switch between.
 
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GT08

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Thank you for your comments Darren. There is just one last thing I need to clarify.


IF I was to get the SONY DZ 260 speakers then will I be able to hook that up to the following AV Receiver?

STR-DG820 or Yamaha DSPAX763

Also which is the better AV Receiver?

I heard about some AV Receiver products encounters some problems when play audio or video from the pc.... Do these problems occur with these two products?


I am setting on getting those speakers thus do you know how I can connect them up to the AV Receiver (the two above)? Which lead do I use for my pc, ps3 and my tv and how (Is it hdmi from PS3 to AV and TV hdmi to AV)? Not sure how it goes for the pc though. Any specific soundcard to get in order to achieve this?

Sorry but I am kinda new to this.


Thanks again.


GT08
 
D

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The Yamaha DSPAX763 is easily the best imho,yamaha av amps rawk :rockout:


I have a sony av amp connected to my pc via a coaxial digital connection and its fine.I found a proggie to force the two channel digital output into full ac3/dts too.
 

Darren

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Thank you for your comments Darren. There is just one last thing I need to clarify.


IF I was to get the SONY DZ 260 speakers then will I be able to hook that up to the following AV Receiver?

STR-DG820 or Yamaha DSPAX763

Also which is the better AV Receiver?

I heard about some AV Receiver products encounters some problems when play audio or video from the pc.... Do these problems occur with these two products?


I am setting on getting those speakers thus do you know how I can connect them up to the AV Receiver (the two above)? Which lead do I use for my pc, ps3 and my tv and how (Is it hdmi from PS3 to AV and TV hdmi to AV)? Not sure how it goes for the pc though. Any specific soundcard to get in order to achieve this?

Sorry but I am kinda new to this.


Thanks again.


GT08


the SONY DZ 260 speakers don't look fantastic and I'm sure they don't sound too great either, they appear plastic and cheap. None of the satellites appear to have rear bass ports for low frequencies or tweeters for high frequencies. The build quality looks lazy, plastic speakers? decent home cinema speakers should be wooden. But in short SONY DZ 260 would indeed work on any standard AV receiver - you'll need a copper wire cable. like

Copper wire-->



There isn't much difference in terms of specification between the STR-DG820 and the Yamaha DSPAX763, you're going to have to make an educated guess.


You'll need a fibre optic cable or coaxial cable to connect soundcard to the AV receiver. Most decent sound cards will come supplied with one.

Fibre-->


Coaxial-->


RCA to 3.5mm-->



If you are interested in Dolby Digital/DTS encoding via coaxial/fibre you'll need one of the following soundcards:

ASUS Xonar D2 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Ultra Fidelity Sound Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132001


AuzenTech XPlosion 7.1 7.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156001


bluegears b-Enspirer 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829127002


Bear in mind for the new HD standards with HDMI you'll need a "Auzen X-Fi Home Theater HD" or equivalent. - as I explained in previous posts.


Setting it up

PC ---> Soundcard ---> AV Receiver (via coaxial/fibre/HDMI)
PS3 ---> AV recevier (via HDMI cable)
TV---> AV receiver (via analogue RCA to 3.5mm cable) - Prologic feature on receiver for surround
Satellite/cable TV--> AV receiver (via/coaxial/fibre/HDMI)
 
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D

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Did you have a look at that ac3 encoder i found darren?
 

GT08

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the SONY DZ 260 speakers don't look fantastic and I'm sure they don't sound too great either, they appear plastic and cheap. None of the satellites appear to have rear bass ports for low frequencies or tweeters for high frequencies. The build quality looks lazy, plastic speakers? decent home cinema speakers should be wooden. But in short SONY DZ 260 would indeed work on any standard AV receiver - you'll need a copper wire cable. like

Copper wire-->



There isn't much difference in terms of specification between the STR-DG820 and the Yamaha DSPAX763, you're going to have to make an educated guess.


You'll need a fibre optic cable or coaxial cable to connect soundcard to the AV receiver. Most decent sound cards will come supplied with one.

Fibre-->


Coaxial-->


RCA to 3.5mm-->



If you are interested in Dolby Digital/DTS encoding via coaxial/fibre you'll need one of the following soundcards:

ASUS Xonar D2 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Ultra Fidelity Sound Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132001


AuzenTech XPlosion 7.1 7.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156001


bluegears b-Enspirer 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829127002


Bear in mind for the new HD standards with HDMI you'll need a "Auzen X-Fi Home Theater HD" or equivalent. - as I explained in previous posts.


Setting it up

PC ---> Soundcard ---> AV Receiver (via coaxial/fibre/HDMI)
PS3 ---> AV recevier (via HDMI cable)
TV---> AV receiver (via analogue RCA to 3.5mm cable) - Prologic feature on receiver for surround
Satellite/cable TV--> AV receiver (via/coaxial/fibre/HDMI)

Thank you Darren for your advice and support you have given me. This has given me a better insight as how a home entertainment system should be. By any chance could you recommend me any good wooden 5.1 home entertainment speakers that is wall speaker mountable (wireless would be an advantage) otherwise any other wall speaker mountable that is 5.1 and wireless but not wooden (still produces great audio) e.g mid-range etc...

Thanks again
 

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GT08

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Darren

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Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Meridian, Pioneer VSX-516 Receiver 7.1 with DD/DD EX/Prologic II/DTS/DTS-ES//DTS: Neo
Power Supply Cool Master eXtreme Power 460W PSU
Software Vista Ultimate X64 Corporate Edition
By any chance could you recommend me any good wooden 5.1 home entertainment speakers that is wall speaker mountable (wireless would be an advantage) otherwise any other wall speaker mountable that is 5.1 and wireless but not wooden (still produces great audio) e.g mid-range etc...

Thanks again

There are plenty of wooden/bookshelf speakers on the market and your budget will be the ultimate factor. There isn't many wireless options for bookshelf speakers, there are one or two brands which are wireless but they'll will be extremely difficult to locate and the sound quality would be subpar in comparison to non wireless choices. Mostly all bookshelf speakers are mountable with a third party mounting system, plastic speakers shouldn't even be considered whether they can be mountable straight from the box or not.


Sony range: budget bookshelves:

Sony SS-B3000 Bookshelf Speakers with 8" Woofer $99.00
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OG6I6A/?tag=tec06d-20


Sony SS-B1000 5 1/8" Bookshelf Speakers $49.00
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OG88KY/?tag=tec06d-20


Sony SS-F6000 Floor-Standing $70.95
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OG4E20/?tag=tec06d-20

Sony SA-W2500 Performance Line 100 Watt Subwoofer $99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OL3QTW/?tag=tec06d-20


Sony SS-CN5000 Dual 5.25" Center $88.69
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OGA81Q/?tag=tec06d-20


Midrange/premium bookshelves:


Klipsch B-3 Synergy Bookshelf Loudspeaker $329.00
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MZE68A/?tag=tec06d-20

Klipsch F-3 Synergy FloorStanding Loudspeaker $475.00
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011YXGF0/?tag=tec06d-20

Bic America VK-12 12-Inch 1000-Watt Kevlar Series $499.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016J3H18/?tag=tec06d-20


JBL LC1BE 3-Way Dual 5- 1/4-Inch Center $379.05
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MQNLJE/?tag=tec06d-20

I'd advise that you look around a few home cinema websites yourself and make an informed decision - you could probably find a better specification on a dedicated site, Amazon isn't a HT specialist, also feel free to mix and match different brands and speaker types.


I guess I could get this and connect this up to the either two AV Receivers via HDMI.

What does Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD have that this card don't have? As for the price I guess it's not that far off from Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD when it comes out.

I would love to know the benefits and the limitations between Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD and Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 PCI.

ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe and Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD are very similar in terms of specification, I haven't yet had a chance to look at a comparison, but I would think that the Auzen would have native EAX 5.0 support and the Asus would have an emulation of EAX 5.0 - the amps may be different too but like I said I haven't seen much in terms of a direct comparison.

Avoid the Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe for now, I've read a lot of negative comments on AVS forum, apparently their HDMI output doesn't have enough bandwidth to support both Dolby TrueHD bit streams and 1080p video signals simultaneously despite Asus's claims for full support. Apparently, there are read video/audio sync problems, issues of the video being down sampled, flaking Vista drivers, and a bug in certain versions of Cyber link's Power DVD relating to the HDMI output.

Out of curiosity, why would you want to pay extra for a soundcard with HDMI just for TrueHD and DTS-Masters pass-through support? Do you even have a PC blu-Ray player? The PS3 can play TrueHD and DTS-Masters on its built in blu-Ray player, so the cheapest logical method is to purchase of the soundcards I recommended earlier, the cheapest one that has DTS/DD encoding on the fly over fibre/coaxial for playing regular DVDs. If you have a blu-Ray disc specifically play it in the PS3 using HDMI for pass-through of TrueHD/HD-Masters content specifically, you would save a lot of money this way.
 
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