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View Full Version : 5.1 Audio Capture: Which Hardware?

easy2Bcheesy
5th January 2006, 19:37
Hi there,

I'm looking to capture in 5.1 from an optical output. Ideally I'd like to be able to stream in AC3 directly with my video into an AVI using Virtual Dub's capture module.

Is this possible?
Skelsgard
7th January 2006, 15:19
Some MAudio and Creative (from Audigy 2 ZS Platinum up, in the external rack) soundcards have SP/DIF input but VirtualDub can´t record audio from SP/DIF-In afaik.
I know specifically SB Audigy 2 ZS Platinum can perform bit-accurate SPDIF In recording but using Creative´s software. Then u will have to mux it with the video. (Not taking preference on Audigy, just that I know for a fact it can do recording, don´t know much about the MAudio soundcards specs.)
easy2Bcheesy
7th January 2006, 16:27
That's interesting, thanks. I'm having to put together a dedicated video capture tool any way - do Creative make it easy to access their 5.1 capture APIs? Or are you limited to their software?
Skelsgard
8th January 2006, 02:20
The SP/DIF bit-accurate recording is set within a HQ control panel. it is something like Control Panel --> AudioHQ --> Device control --> Bit Accurate Mode Tab --> Enable Bit Accurate Recording.
But it must be from the 2 ZS Platinum or Platinum Pro to upper ones (like Audigy 4, or X-Fi) since the basic ZS doesn´t have SP/DIF input. This input is IN the rack that comes with the Platinum series (coaxial and optical SPDIF inputs and outputs), not on the souncard.
But Creative hasn´t release the technical specs for the Audigy series (one of the Linux community´s constant complaints) so u might find it difficult to create a software that works with the soundcard without Creative´s apps, it´s a downside against the SB Audigy that might make u want to try the MAudio series (I have a Audigy 2 ZS not Platinum and I love it, but it may lack the options u need).
o Creative make it easy to access their 5.1 capture APIs? Or are you limited to their software?
There are no hardware-coded limitations that force u to use ONLY Creative´s apps, but that lack of specs release i told u about might be considered as a limiting thing.