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EMU 0404 virtual surround in games?

post #1 of 25
1/20/05 at 10:21am
Thread Starter 
Is it possible to get the EMU 0404 to produce games in Dolby Headphone virtual surround sound, like what can be done with the right decoder for movies?

Thanks

Matt
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post #2 of 25
1/20/05 at 1:38pm
Thread Starter 
Seems that nobody knows anything that can do it, so I'm going to buy, possibly instead of HD595s, this:
http://europe.thrustmaster.com/produ...?p=T176&fam=62

It's essentially the same product as the HCT DH-720G. I read one person saying this beat the crap out of his $100 AKG headphones. What do you think of this? I might get the HD595s as well but it seems like a waste of money to do that.

What is the difference between the actual headphones of the HD595s and these 5.1 headphones? Are the 5.1s designed specifically for 5.1 surround by using directional and multiple drivers (which I understand the HD595 has)?

I would use Soundstorm for movies and games, and EMU 0404 for music.
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post #3 of 25
1/21/05 at 8:11am
0404 is not a gaming card. You won't get 5.1 sound with it. Get an A2 if that's what you want.

Edit: Well obviously you have soundstorm so forget what I said.
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post #4 of 25
1/21/05 at 5:01pm
Thread Starter 
What 3D positioning for headphone gaming can I get with the 0404?

Matt
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post #5 of 25
1/21/05 at 7:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattpwill
http://europe.thrustmaster.com/produ...?p=T176&fam=62

What is the difference between the actual headphones of the HD595s and these 5.1 headphones? Are the 5.1s designed specifically for 5.1 surround by using directional and multiple drivers (which I understand the HD595 has)?

I would use Soundstorm for movies and games, and EMU 0404 for music.
Can't tell you how good the phones are that come with the Thrustmaster unit but I think they are just normal stereo headphones. The decoder-box is able to decode a Dolby Digital or Prologic signal and uses the Dolby Headphones algorithms to produce a stereo-signal intended for headphone listening. Thus you "only" get a virtual surround sound. Use a search for impressions on the quality of Dolby Headphone.

It may work to use Soundstorm for putting out a realtime-encoded DD signal that you send to the decoder-box. Sounds a little complicated though.
Why not use a movie-player that can produce a Dolby Headphone signal in software for movies. For gaming just buy an Audigy which can output virtual 3D-sound for headphones.
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post #6 of 25
1/21/05 at 7:10pm
Thread Starter 
That's what I'm doing with movies, but can games use software HRTF without sound card hardware that supports it?

I'm sticking with getting HD595s, and abandoning the idea of surround headphones.

Matt
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post #7 of 25
1/22/05 at 5:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattpwill
That's what I'm doing with movies, but can games use software HRTF without sound card hardware that supports it?
Matt
Some games. Doom 3 has a proprietary sound engine, and so does HL2 if I'm not mistaken (however, I understand 0404 does not work in HL2 at all).

Since you have Soundstorm, I recommend connecting the digital out to the 0404. This way you'll get rid of the annoyingly poor onboard DAC, and won't have to swap cables.
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post #8 of 25
1/22/05 at 1:42pm
Thread Starter 
I only have my EMU 0404 to work with (and Soundstorm digital out) when I'm away from home.

I don't use motherboard analog at all as it's crackly.

I never thought of using the Soundstorm for this. Great idea, but how would it work in Windows with games? How would I configure it? Could I only 2 sound cards (one for game output, one for simple decoding and analog out) for an application like a game?

Matt
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post #9 of 25
1/22/05 at 3:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattpwill
I only have my EMU 0404 to work with (and Soundstorm digital out) when I'm away from home.

I don't use motherboard analog at all as it's crackly.

I never thought of using the Soundstorm for this. Great idea, but how would it work in Windows with games? How would I configure it? Could I only 2 sound cards (one for game output, one for simple decoding and analog out) for an application like a game?

Matt
Games will use whichever card has been set as default (soundstorm in this instance) from the 'sounds and audio devices' panel. You'll simply need to configure Foobar/preferred player to use the 0404. That's it.

Not all video/audio player have an option to select the card, though. I'm forced to play everything in WinDVD6 through my A2 ZS, for example. Otherwise I'm using BSPlayer, as it allows the user to pick the card.
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post #10 of 25
1/22/05 at 4:00pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry, I mean how do I set it up for games so that sound goes from Soundstorm to EMU 0404, which acts as a "decoding box"?

Matt
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post #11 of 25
1/22/05 at 4:18pm
Use the digital output of your SoundStorm connected to the digital input of your 0404. In PatchMix DSP add an input strip for PCI Card SPDIF L/R and you should be set. Also, it's reccomended to either set the clock to 48KHz or External: SPDIF.
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post #12 of 25
1/22/05 at 6:41pm
Has anyone tried these drivers with their 0404 or their 1212? The 1212 says its supported, but I see no reason why the 0404 wouldn't be as well. These may work for gaming.

http://www.driverheaven.net/showthread.php?t=63660

-odd, url thingy isn't working, and keeps putting the [url] in automatically, but not doing anything
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post #13 of 25
1/22/05 at 11:08pm
HL2/CS:S has a 'headphone' mode and it deffo creates some virtual surround.

My card is flawless in anything I have tried...
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post #14 of 25
1/24/05 at 4:50pm
Thread Starter 
What improvement would these drivers make to the EMU 0404, if they do work with this card?

http://www.driverheaven.net/showthread.php?t=63660

Is there a better software 3D processor than Dolby Headphone?

Does A3D work in Half-Life 1 with the EMU 0404?

Does EAX just add reverb or is it a good 3D surround processor?

Is A3d or any other wavetracing technology being brought out to compete with Creative's EAX?

Why aren't Creative being sued for being monopolistic in PC 3D game sound?

Is Sensaura continuing after its takeover by Creative?

Is QSound good?

Could it be possible for an all-in-one movies and games algorithm?

Sorry for the number of questions!!!!

Matt
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post #15 of 25
1/25/05 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
3D game audio seems to be in a shambolic mess since Creative started buying out companies (Sensaura, Aureal (allegedly)). Discuss.

Matt
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