Asynch when using SPDIF

[Olleman]

I saw this have been discussed before but I think I'll give it a go anyway.

Hardware: SBLive! 5.1 Player.
Processor: P2 450 Mhz

I'm getting this synch issues when trying to use the SPDIF out. I use the card to decode the AC3 sounds since I have 3 amplifiers that handle one pair of speakers each....If I use "2 speaker" mode I'm getting just fine synch. Allthough my computer isn't fast at all, I still don't think it's my computer not keeping up. When playing for a example my X-men rip I have only cpu usage around 60-70% but the sound is still asynch.

Another thing I can't understand is, if I set the intervideo decoder to "6 speaker" the sound isn't being decoded right, for example speech that is supposed to mainly come out of the center, but is now comming from all 5 speakers....can't the computer to a better 5.1 decoding than this?

I was also wondering another thing. If the soundscard is handeling the AC3 decoding, why isn't the processor usage lower when it's set to SPDIF?

Sorry for my english misstakes, hope it's readable anyway :)

Regards, Olle

[MaTTeR]

still don't think it's my computer not keeping up.

I might have to disagree here. Especially since your CPU usage is about 70% during playback. I've seen sync issues just like this before on slower systems. You didn't mention which player your using?? If the system is somewhat slow along with a slower CDROM then this would definitely cause sync issues. The other thing that could cause the problems are the interleaving values you use. Creative cards...well I won't get into it..lets just say they are nasty to deal with in using SPDIF:)

if I set the intervideo decoder to "6 speaker" the sound isn't being decoded right, for example speech that is supposed to mainly come out of the center
AFAIK 6ch mode is for analog output and not SPDIF. This might explain the difference you hear. I'm not 100% sure though.

If the soundscard is handeling the AC3 decoding, why isn't the processor usage lower when it's set to SPDIF?
Your soundcard shouldn't and probally can't decode AC3:D What is decoding it, is your external amp. You soundcard is just simply passing the bits to the external amp. Have you read the AC3/SPDIF FAQ? I suspect not;) Have a look at my sig.

[Olleman]

hey, thanks for the extreme quick answer :)

I'm getting a new computer (AMD XP 1500+) inb a month...I bet you the synch issues will remain then...

I'm using bsplayer, but the exact same thing happens with PowerDivX.

I use "interleave audio every 96 ms" in nandub.

The Soundcard IS deocoding the sound. I set Bsplayer to SPDIF/OUT but "ac3 decode" is choosenb in the surround mixer and "digital output" is NOT selected. I connect the "fron speaker" output to AMP1. The "rear speaker" output to AMP2 and the "center/sub/digital" output to AMP3. So the Sblive 5.1 is doing the decoing...or maybee it's the computer or whatever :) But when setting the intervideo filter to 6ch output the speech etc is mixed in all channels together...I can't relly understand this...

now, you must be thinking "why are you using 3 AMPs instead of a DD 5.1 AMP" Well, it's cheap, very cheap I have to say...I have not paid many $ for those three amps I can assure you :)

Regards, Olle

[MaTTeR]

Have you tried using less restrictive interleave settings? The tighter numbers you use the more CPU is used.

I personally think your SoundBlaster settings are not correct. Read the FAQ I pointed you to. It clearly states not to have "AC3 Decode" selected and to have "Digital Out" selected. Your card should not be decoding the AC3 stream whatsoever. All you want the SB to do is pass the digital stream. Your InterVideo filter should have SPDIF selected as well.

[Olleman]

I'll try some other interleaving settings and see if that helps..

I don't think you understand me on this SPDIF thing. I DON'T have a DD 5.1 AMP so putting the "digital-out" on and putting the "ac3-decode" of would send a digital signal to my analogue amp. That's not that good I think :)

I'm using my soundblaster as a DD 5.1 decoder unit, I then send the front speaker channel to one amp, rear to another an so on...this gives me the same sound I would get by sending a digital signal to ONE DD 5.1 amp. That is, speech and some front sound from the center speaker and enviremental sounds from left and right front and rear speakers.

I hope I have been clearer to you this time.

Regards and thanks, Olle

[MaTTeR]

Ok, now I understand what your doing:)

That sounds like a complex setup. Hmm..well that certainly explains the high CPU usage then. CPU and sound card are having to do the decode so a faster CPU might help in this situation.

Do you have DMA enabled on all your drives including CDROM? This will help save some CPU cycles.

[Olleman]

hehe, yeah I know it's a quite complex setup but it's as I said very cheap. But eventually I will buy myself a real DD 5.1 AMP.

DAM is active on all my drives. I think I'll wait until my new computer arrives and come back then if the problem persists.

Thanks for your help

Regards, Olle

[Olleman]

I thought I should add something.

I CAN get good synch if I interleave the audio by about 100-250 ms (depending on movie) but then, the audio will be asynch when I play it in software mode, eg unselecting SPDIF/OUT and instead uses "2 speaker" mode...

I'm beginning to think that some versions of the SbLive 5.1 cards are just plain fxxxxd up....excuse my french :)

Regards, Olle

[MaTTeR]

Originally posted by Olleman
I'm beginning to think that some versions of the SbLive 5.1 cards are just plain fxxxxd up....excuse my french :)

Please read the forum rules. No offensive language allowed in the forums.

Yes, Creative cards are mostly junk with to many issues IMO. I'll never own another one after I tried the competition:)

[Olleman]

Please read the forum rules. No offensive language allowed in the forums.

ok, sorry, but I don't think there's another way to express my feelings for this pieace of crap :)

I saw you listed some other cards in the Q&A. Do any of these have a 5.1 deocder on them?

Regards, Olle

hehe, you must IDLE here a lot considdering yout fast asnwers :)

[Emp3r0r]

I'm glad you came to that conclusion! Apparently Sound Blaster has sucked since they introduced the Live series. So if you can get your hands on a different card, try that and see. I bet it will work if you get a Santa Cruz or something like that. I have a slow computer, yet I have no problems. Then again, I have no SB Live. We should add that to the FAQ.

Q: Why is XXXXX not working with my SB Live?
A: Because SB Live's just plain suck!

[MaTTeR]

No problem:) Yes, I do idle here quaite a bit.

I know your frustration man. Trust me, I've been there. In regards to your decode question I can't relly speak to that to be honest. However what I would do if I were you is visit the Home Theater forums. The people in the forums are always talking about great sound card issues and which sound cards perform the best. Be prepared to hear some nasty Creative bashing though:D

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

[Olleman]

it wouldn't be a problem for me to buy a new card. The thing is that 5.1 cards seems kind of unusual. I mean, all you guyd with 5.1 amps can choose any card that supports digital-output but I need the anbalouge output to each of my 3 AMP's...Ok it's a complicated and not to *GOOD* solution...but as I said in an ealier post, it's VERY cheap :)

Regards, Olle

[Olleman]

the posts are comming QUITE fast now :)

Thanks for your understanding and I'll have a look at the forum !

Regards, Olle

[MaTTeR]

@Olleman

The forums at HTPC should enable you to determine which card to buy for good analog outputs which is what you will need for your setup. I'm using a low-end Zoltrix Nightengale that's loaded with features and gold plated 5.1 analog outputs. I only really use the card to pass AC3 to my DD amp though so I can't really comment on how good the analog quality is unfortunately. The card only cost me $40 USD and has more features than any sound card I've seen.

@Emp3r0r
Seems more and more people are finally coming to realization that Creative cards are just utter garbage. It's a shame you pay that much money for a card only to find all the issues that exist with it:angry: Are you using SPDIF/TosLink or straight analog outs on your Santa Cruz? Did you have any problems passing AC3? The list I provide in the FAQ are for cards that are not hard to setup for SPDIF so that's why I ask you the questions;)

[Olleman]

The forums at HTPC should enable you to determine which card to buy for good analog outputs which is what you will need for your setup.

I'm confused....if I buy a card without a 5.1 decoder on it, I suppose I should choose "6 speakers" in bsplayer instead of SPDIF/OUT but since "SPDIF/OUT" is the only way for me to have real 5.1 sound outputed thru the three analouge outputs it seems that a card like yours wouldn't do it for me since I suppose that choosing "SPDIF/OUT" would give me digital output since there's no onboard 5.1 deocoder...

I realize that the best thing to do is to buy a low-end card that supports digitial sound output and just go and buy the Yamaha 620RDS that I really want...but there is this issues, money :(

Anyway, I'll browse around the forum you gave me the adress to, seems really interesting and big :)

Regards, Olle

[MaTTeR]

I'm not sure if the card has an AC3 decoder or not. I really never looked into it as I didn't have the need. I suppose it's possible.

You are correct though. I think SPDIF out would not be the setting for your setup since your using analog outs. The 6ch mode should work nicely for you though.

[Olleman]

The 6ch mode should work nicely for you though.

And that's what really confuses me...it seems that it gives me 2.0 sound on all three outputs when set to that setting...

*browsing on the new forum* :)

Regards, Olle

[MaTTeR]

It sounds like your AC3 filter settings are set for stereo.

[Olleman]

nono, I have set both the surround mixer to 5.1 sound and bsplayer (wich controls the intervideo ac3 filter) to 6ch...

Regards, Olle

[Olleman]

just wanted to say that my problems are solved thanks to ChAoS Overlord. It appears I had a 2ch AC3 filter, I used the filter from my WinDVD installation and now I get software 5.1 sound decoding without any synch problems at all...

you can't imagine the joy I'm feeling right now!

Best Regards, Olle

[MaTTeR]

@Olle

That great to hear. Where did this 2ch filter come from though? Here?

[Olleman]

my previous filter came from some group release of some ac3 movie. But this filter seems WIDLY spread since I haven't seen this filter anywhere. The size of 6ch iviaudio.ax is 496 kb and the 2ch was around 200 kb...I have never seen a iviaudio.ax at 496 kb before so I belive that this might solve problems for many that uses software docoding!

Regards, Olle

[MaTTeR]

Thx so much for the post. I'm going to test it out here on my system and see what happens. This version is much newer than anything else I've seen. It's something like 3.1.xx.xx.

Rgds,
MaTTeR

[Olleman]

Olleman = The waaarzer :)

Really hope it works for you and for overlord so he can get real 6ch output

,Olle