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Author Topic: Is surround sound possible with SPDIF out?  (Read 1855 times)

Mastiff

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Is surround sound possible with SPDIF out?
« on: March 10, 2003, 09:31:36 pm »

Simple as that. Is it possible, or can it be possible with JRSS? I can't get it to work. 8)
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bspachman

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Re: Is surround sound possible with SPDIF out?
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2003, 10:05:53 pm »

I think the built-in JRSS is only useful if you have 5.1 (or more) analog outputs on your sound card.

Sending the data digitally would require your surround sound processor/preamp to understand the JRSS format.

The "normal" surround sound formats (Dolby Digital, DTS, etc.) could be passed over the SPDIF connection--if your soundcard & Windows don't mangle the bits. I send DTS info all the time, but I must use the ASIO output format. My receiver gets the data & clicks into DTS mode.

Best,
Brad

P.S. oops, I don't think Dolby Digital works because it isn't strictly a PCM signal. The DTS works because the DTS data is hidden inside a standard PCM stream. I think JRiver would have to implement Dolby Decoding ($$ license fees $$) for DD to work.
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PhatPhreddy

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Re: Is surround sound possible with SPDIF out?
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2003, 12:21:51 am »

Well to turn 2 ch into 5.1 channel and OUTPUT SPDIF you need a SPDIF encoder... The nForce borads have one but how high end the sound is I cant say...

Even licencing a dolby DECODER does not give you this ability...

What reciever do you have that has no (even basic) matrixing modes... Most come with DPLII now... Mine has only a 5.1 stereo so I crave the day when MJ has CSII or DPLII (pref CSII) plug ins... Anything happen on those lines Jim ??
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Will_L.

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Re: Is surround sound possible with SPDIF out?
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2003, 03:35:01 am »

We output surround from the PC via a Digital I/O board (fiber optic cable) it's just a gussied up spdif out but our DTS/AC3 equipped receiver handles it just fine. I paid something like 50 bucks for the card off ebay but won't list it here because it is very crappy.

Using the digital I/O cuts off the analog I/O entirely. So no line out, line in or mic inputs. My fix ws to add a second soundcard (a SB512 someone gave me). Try looking at the latest Soundblasters they have fiber out and I'm willing to bet the rest of the I/O works with it :)

Will
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Will

Mastiff

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Re: Is surround sound possible with SPDIF out?
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2003, 04:43:24 am »

I have an Onkyo 939, the former flagship (before the 989 came). It's got tons of modes (stadium, club and so on), but they're all crappy. Unfortunately it hasn't got circle surround or DPLII, since that wasn't available at that time. But I won't buy another receiver and get lower quality AC3 (DD) and regular pro logic sound, and lower quality sound all over, to get it. That's why I'd like to have surround sound over SPDIF. I use optical SPDIF to that and coax SPDIF to another receiver (in the living room). That hasn't got any good "mock surround" modes either, that's why I wanted to try the JRSS. But it's impractical for me to lay out analogue 5.1-cables, so I'll have to try to live without it...  ::)
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PhatPhreddy

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Re: Is surround sound possible with SPDIF out?
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2003, 04:56:57 am »

Will, are you sure you are outputting JRSS (surround sound) via your toslink (optical SPDIF) ?? I would bet dollars to donughts that you are outputting a 2ch signal if outputting a 2 ch encode (play a wav and I bet its PCM 16/44.1)...

I am guessing your reciever then is doing a 5.1 soundfield process on it (look for source direct or similar that may switch back to 2 ch) such as a basic matix or an intelligent matrix like DPLII or other...

Basically you WONT get SPDIF manipulated sound without a multichannel encoder that the reciver or pre / pro understands (DD DTS DPLII CSII etc)... Multi channel encoders are rare and expensive not something easily added to MC as it requires hardware that is not on most equipment... The nForce have it as a side effect of gaming, they have the ability to ENCODE EAX or other game 3d sound out of a digital SPDIF...

If you have 5.1 inputs on your reciever or pre pro hook them up as well as the SPDIF and you can play around with both and see which you prefer... I still use SPDIF due to TheaterTek being my main DVD player and live with the crappy 5.1 stereo mode it has... If MC went to CSII like WMP9 then I would jump to Zoom player for DVD and use CSII for my jukeboxing..    
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