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optical out question

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  • 28-02-2007 12:01am
    #1
    crowej
    Registered Users Posts: 267 ✭✭


    i have a question surrounding using the optical out on my pc. it is integrated on the motherboard,

    i believe the sound chipset is realtek high definition audio.

    my question is that as the decoding of the optical signal is being done on the amplifier would there be an increase in sound quality if i bought a new sound card and used the optical out on that ? or would it just remain the same ?


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    #2
    Snowbat
    Registered Users Posts: 1,064 ✭✭✭Snowbat


    While SPDIF bypasses problems inherrent in the analogue domain, you have to consider what your sound card, driver, and mixer does to the audio data before sending it over SPDIF. Many designs are based on resampling all audio data to 48kHz for processing (volume control, equalisation, effects, etc). The Creative Labs Live! series was known to resample even audio data already at 48kHz. The quality of resampling has a direct impact on overall audio quality and can range from bad to excellent, depending on model.

    If you're looking for bit-perfect PCM output on SPDIF, some designs can deliver that (eg. cards based on the C-Media 8738). In Windows I believe you need to use a driver that handles kernel streaming and bypasses Kmixer to achieve this. A common test for bit-perfect is to play DTS encoded wave file over your SPDIF link and check if your external decoder sees the stream.
    Lots more on Google: http://www.google.com/search?q=bit-perfect+spdif
    Some discussion of Realtek HD, bit-perfect, and link to a DTS file here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/printthread.php?t=567562&page=10&pp=30


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