Optical out?

[Blackmyst]

A simple question (or maybe not!), but with the 8rda+, and the upcoming 8rda3+, is there a way to get optical out for 5.1 sound?

Thanks for your time, Neil.

[CaesarAlan]

I can't speak for the 8RDA3+, but it is certainly possible on the 8RDA+. What you need to do is purchase an S/PDIF bracket. The easiest to use is EPOX's own SPD-650 bracket, which is available (in the UK) from either http://www.komplett.co.uk/ or Epox.org . This plugs straight into the SPDIF header on the 8RDA+.

If you want to save a few pennies, you can use the cheaper ASUS bracket also sold by Komplett. However, you will need to change the layout of the pins connecting to the motherboard (if you'd like more precise instructions, PM me and I'll oblige).

Hope this helps,

[Blackmyst]

Thanks for the link. I've looked on the Epox website, but it doesn't say much about it. Does it support 5.1 output, if so what standards? (dts, dolby digital???)

Thanks again.

[CaesarAlan]

Before I get started, it is very possible that I have misunderstood the way that the board handles digital sound output, so I'd be grateful if you took what follows with a pinch of salt. If anyone with better knowledge (I'm thinking the likes of Áedán) would like to correct my more heinous errors, I'd be equally grateful .

Now that I've dispensed with the disclaimer, I believe that the optical output simply bypasses the board's DAC, and hence is capable of outputting whatever the nForce2 APU can produce. That means that you can get 5.1 output encoded in Dolby Digital.

I think (and that means this should be taken with a tablespoon of salt! ) I remember reading that you can, under certain circumstances (for example, playing back DVD using the appropriate software), bypass the APU and hence get direct 5.1 output using DTS encoding.

Hope this helps,

[ballermann]

anybody got an idea where to buy the spdif-bracket in germany?

[Aedan]

Neil,

The signal that's passed over coax and optical is pretty much the same signal, with the obvious difference that one is in the form of light, and one is in the form of electrons. Hence, if the board has a digital out, it's more likely to be optical. Note, this is not a definate, as no-one I know personally has seen one of these boards yet!

In terms of encoding, the press release talked about AC3 encoding. For sound that's generated by the PC, this would be encoded in AC3 format.

However, DVD player software has a mode known as "passthrough", where the DVD player simply passes the AC3 or dts stream through to the digital out. In this mode, the PC does not do anything with the digital audio track, other than stream it off the DVD out of the digital out port!

All of this is somewhat conjecture, as I haven't personally seen the board, so I'm not really in a position to be able to say much about it!

Áedán

[Blackmyst]

Thanks for your advice Aedan. Obviously I appreciate that the 8rda3+ isn't out yet, but I'm making an "educated" guess (for me thats impressive!) that it'd be the same/similar to the 8rda+.

I have an Audigy in my current PC, so I use discrete 5.1 output to my 5.1 amp setup, and now only have a vancant optical input (the other being used by my seperate DVD recorder).

I won't be using the project PC to watch DVD's, purely to overclock & game on. Can I assume that (I'll assume on the assumption that the 8rda+ and 8rda3+ will be the same/similar with optical out - confusing ey??) that this will output "surround" enabled games in a surround format?

Thanks for your time!

[Aedan]

Originally posted by Blackmyst
I won't be using the project PC to watch DVD's, purely to overclock & game on. Can I assume that (I'll assume on the assumption that the 8rda+ and 8rda3+ will be the same/similar with optical out - confusing ey??) that this will output "surround" enabled games in a surround format?

From what I understand of the spec sheet, the 8RDA3+ can encode Dolby Digital (AC3). If this is the case, and works as expected (!), then it should be able to create the AC3 stream. Presumably the 8RDA3+ will require some kind of bracket, like the 8RDA+ does.

I think we're just going to have to wait and see!

Áedán

[K6-III]

The CMI 9738 has the capability to encode AC3 via the CPU with a bit more latency than the MCP-T.

Assuming Epox is advertising this feature, they will be the first to implement it.

Still, nothing could beat the NVidia reference board for NForce Audio. (3dsoundsurge) Comes with some very nice sigmatel dacs.

[Aedan]

Originally posted by K6-III
The CMI 9738 has the capability to encode AC3 via the CPU with a bit more latency than the MCP-T.

Define a bit more latency! The CPU should be able to encode AC3 much much faster than any APU. However, the decoder has a set latency. An AC3 decoder will take either 38.6ms or 32ms from receiving an AC3 frame to starting to output the audio (assuming 48KHz sampling rate).

Áedán

[Blackmyst]

OK chaps.

Got my 8RDA3+, got the SPDIF bracket with optical out. Now I've connected it to my amp with the optical cable, and all is fine EXCEPT I can't get 5.1 sound.

I get front left & right, but no other speakers. How do I set it up in the software? I tried setting it to 6CH, but no go.

Aedan, ET, ANYONE!!!!!! I thought it was possible to get 5.1 with this kit. I'm gunna be extremely disappointed if I can't!!!!!!!

Blackmyst!

[Clipse]

u can do that, take ur center/sub and plug it into mic, take ur rear set and plug into line in and your front speakers to lineout.

run the nforce control panel speaker setup and click enabled center sub for mic and rear for linein.

and go thru the options, other than that u can build ur own spdif bracket, by going to motherboardfaqs.com and under epox nforce2 mods section.

[Blackmyst]

Thanks Clipse, but wrong mobo! HEHEHE. I've got the 8RDA3+ with the C-Media software/control panel.

It's not very nice to look at, or even use, but it's all there. I just can't figure it out. I'm beginning to think thats it's not possible (oh please prove me wrong!), and if so, I'm gunna be one unhappy chappy!

Blackmyst!

[Blackmyst]

BUMP

[Blackmyst]

Any ideas ET, Holst???????

[Aedan]

I'd love to help, but I'm not familiar with the CMedia software. You might be better starting a new thread, and outline the problem.

Áedán

[Clipse]

hehe Neil, I'm also Neill :-) (note different spelling) hehe

Well, from ur post:

"A simple question (or maybe not!), but with the 8rda+, and the upcoming 8rda3+, is there a way to get optical out for 5.1 sound?"

Thought u wanted help with current 8rda+ and wanted to know if 8rda3+ supports it asswell, just for the info :-)