help with my home theatre system ?

[amigd23]

I just bought a home theatre system, hoping to get Dolby Digital from my collection of DivX movies with AC3 sound track. However, up to now, it's a mess. Please help me to get on !

The basic problem is I don't get any sound from Ditital-In of my DVD Player even when I play DVD with SPDIF out in PowerDVD XP. It's a Pioneer HTD-520DV system with a digital coax in. I have a P4 1.7GHz computer with a Aureal Sound card (it has a SPDIF coax out). BTW, I use Windows XP. I have several questions below. I am realy new to this, so please don't laugh at me if they are stupid.

1) The menu of HTD-520DV says the Digital-In only plays PCM. I feel kind of strange about this. Is this possible ? The system plays DVD very well with Dolby Digital. Why do thay set up a Digital-In only for PCM ? I called Pioneer, they said it should be ok with Dolby Digital, but why did their menu say that ?

2) Seems there is no support for Aureal sound card now. I wonder whether I have set up my sound card right. Both in Windows 2000 and XP seems they have the driver for this card and I can use this card except for SPDIF out (although the problem may not be with this card). Is there any special step to set up for SPDIF out ?

3) I am also wondering whether I have used the right cable. It seems the port is just like all other RCA type connector. I just used an RCA audio cable. Maybe they are different ? What is digital coax cable ? What's the difference between them and RCA cable ?

I will really appreciate if some of you guys can take some time to help me clarify this.

Thank you very much !

[Alestrix]

I only have somethin' for your question 2) here:
AFAIK AC3 via SPDIF works on Aureal only in Win9x (maybe ME?). The 2k and probably XP drivers only support PCM through SPDIF. I think http://www.vortexofsound.com should have more information on that.

[MaTTeR]

Originally posted by amigd23

3) I am also wondering whether I have used the right cable. It seems the port is just like all other RCA type connector. I just used an RCA audio cable. Maybe they are different ? What is digital coax cable ? What's the difference between them and RCA cable ?


Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I'm not so sure a "standard" RCA type plug will carry the proper audio stream out of coax ports. If I recall correctly the cable should be 75 Ohms and of course should be shielded well to cut down any interference.

[amigd23]

Alestrix,

You are fight, I finally make it work under Win98 ! I wonder whether there is another AC3 filter which will work with Aureal card with Win2k or WinXP not pnly for PCM stream. If somebody knew, please lwt me know !


MaTTer,

I can tell you it works with my RCA type video cable.



BTW, who knows where to get Cineplayer's AC3 filter ?

[MaTTeR]

Try the Moonlight Odio Dekoda filter. Several posts on the board has the download link for you.