Xfi XtremeMusic -worth it?

[Modular]

I'm using the HD audio on my MSI K8N Neo Platinum board which uses the Realtek AC97 decoders. I was wondering if the Creative drivers would be able to decode the AC3 signal so I don't have to use AC3Filter anymore. It's working OK, but I have problems with the audio being delayed behind the video on certain channels. Would the Xfi be able to decode AC3 audio?

[stig]

hope it helps

X-Fi Xtreme Music Sound Blaster review

http://www.guru3d.com/article/content/265/

[Modular]

Hmmm, an interesting review, but not enough time was spent on movies in it

I really just want some input from X-fi users, or anyone who knows the answer to this question: Can the Xfi card decode AC3 files and DTS audio on the board itself, and is that an operation that is supported by GB-PVR? AC3Filter is failing me horrendously; on one channel the sound will be right on, then the next will be a full second behind, while on another it might be a full second ahead of the video. :eek:

[blizard]

ASFAIK GBPVR can make use of FFDSHOW to process audio or/and video which mean that you can input an analogue sound signal as MP3 (2 channel =stereo) and transcode it on the fly to AC3 to output 5+1 channel to speaker. AC3 and DTS are compressed 2 channel sound to output more then 2 channel in one cable (S/PDIF). GBPVR make use DirectShow to connect a chain of filters to renderer, so you can use AC3Filter if that fit your bill better, but this will depend on how you want to output your audio. I have used both FFDSHOW and AC3Filter and both work to either output 6 channel (5.1) in analogue or transcode via mixer setting to AC3. DTS is not very well supported yet if you want to transcode from 2 channel source and would be a waste of time as it is better to use source that are already encoded in DTS. If that is your case, then it would be possible to decode DTS in software and then output it on analogue speaker (ALC850 could do this on my old MB).

What all this come down to is that you will not need to buy a Creative X-Fi to do all this on an ALC850 codec from Realtek that is based on AC97 standard. Another thing is that Creative have had many type of X-Fi on market and some might use software and other do decoding in hardware from what I understand to output signal to speaker in analogue, so you must be more precise with what exact type you want to use. For a pure digital connection you will not gain anything as then it is the receiver that must decode signal to speaker.


In FFDSHOW you can control delay to speaker, so you should be able to manipulate synchronization. I would also suggest to take a look at SMplayer based on MPlayer with a friendly Windows User Interface. You can change different setting during play of movie like the delay of subtitles, audio and jump back and forth in movie. This will make it more easy to adjust setting then when you play movie with GBPVR as front end and see what will happen.

Take a look at SMplayer from Mulders web site. Mplayer (core of SMplayer which is only the GUI for it) can decode MPEG2, Xvid/Divx, AAC, AVC (H.264) and most other codec in that package, so you will not need to install anything else or make use/change for DirectShow as every codec is installed in the same place as the player (SMPlayer/Mplayer). I would say that SMPlayer is at the same level as VLC as you can record something and it will not be locked up while you play/watch it at the same time. It can output AC3, but will need sound driver set towards WIN32 in SMPlayer (option>preferances) and not dsound (=directsound). That is to make a pass-through of S/PDIF on AC3 encoded sound.

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ALC850 on MSI K8N Neo Plat. is NOT a high definition sound codec (HDA), but an AC97 based sound codec. This is important to know when you pick the correct driver from Realteks site. Do only use driver that will support AC97 and nothing else from Realtek.
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