[Punisher]

I was wondering if there is a sound card that will allow me to get DTS and Dolby through headphones? I know that there are external devices that can do this such as the JVC / Victor SU-DH1 but is there a sound card that can do this?
Here are some sound cards that I have been looking at as a reference:

AuzenTech Forte X-FI 7.1
I know that this card has a decent amp but does it support DH and can I get DTS through my headphones?

ASUS Xonar Essence
Any thought on this card? I think it supports DH but I have heard that ASUS cards have crappy drivers and the sound is not too good.

Any thoughts? The sound card will be used with the DT880 headphones (un-amped) and it will be used for gaming and bluray movies. Thanks.

Punisher

 

[Punisher]

bump. Any thoughts?

 

[ROBSCIX]

If you want this card for blue ray, neither card will give you support for high definition audio standards like DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD.

 

[leeperry]

the Claro Halo also has DH(and also Dolby Virtual Speakers, DTS neo whatever), prolly all the CMI8788 cards do as it's part of the attached licences

 

[MrKazador]

All sound cards can support DTS because it can be decoded in software. Dolby Headphone can also be done in software but not for pc games.
The only way to listen to HD-Audio(blu-ray) is to use a receiver with HDMI or extract the contents of the disc and convert the audio to multichannel FLAC.

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrKazador /img/forum/go_quote.gif All sound cards can support DTS because it can be decoded in software. Dolby Headphone can also be done in software but not for pc games. The only way to listen to HD-Audio(blu-ray) is to use a receiver with HDMI or extract the contents of the disc and convert the audio to multichannel FLAC.

There are ways you can link DH through to audio system but it involves using VST's and host apps. Atleast I have seen it done, not sure how it would work for games considering latency etc..

You can also listen to HD audio on a PC by using one of two different soundcards on the market. Both cards allow you to have full resolution support for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HDMA...
One is the Auzentech HTHD 7.1 and the other is the ASUS HDAV 1.3 Deluxe. Both cards decode these standard to analog or can use LPCM or bitstreaming output to HDMI external receiver.

 

[MrKazador]

I thought the media player will downsample the audio if you use analog outputs. Something about PAP, not sure...

 

[ROBSCIX]

I would say yes, and no. These two cards use the PAP and allow full resolution output.
The HTHD uses PDVD9 and the HDAV uses TMT and provided the card and the software are set up properly you will get full res audio from bluray.
I have tested both and had full resolution output over analog.

Other then that, you will be downsampled. There may be some other or upcoming solutions but the market is limited right now for such things.

 

[Punisher]

Thanks for the replies. Can anyone help me with the following questions:

What is the difference between DTS Neo and DH?

Will DTS Neo work with headphones and PC games?

Does DTS Neo only work on Digital Out or can I use this with an analog connection (such as headphones)?

Basically I am trying to get surround sound through headphones (for gaming)using a sound card instead of using the Astro Mixamp or JVC SU-DH1.

The Auzentech X-Fi HomeTheater HD seems like a good option but I don't see DH as one of the features. It does support DTS Neo which is why I have asked the above. Thanks.

Punisher

 

[MrKazador]

DTS neo upconverts stereo content to multichannel. Dolby Headphone uses multichannel content(5.1 audio) to create "surround sound" in headphone. Two different things, DTS Neo and DH.
Why not get the Asus essence? A high quality sound card with dolby headphone.

 

[Lavcat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Punisher /img/forum/go_quote.gif Basically I am trying to get surround sound through headphones (for gaming)using a sound card instead of using the Astro Mixamp or JVC SU-DH1. The Auzentech X-Fi HomeTheater HD seems like a good option but I don't see DH as one of the features. It does support DTS Neo which is why I have asked the above. Thanks. Punisher

I have the HomeTheater. The HomeTheater does not support Dolby Headphone. I wish it did, but in my opinion CMSS-3D Headphone is better. Others here may disagree.

For World of Warcraft (which is the only game I play) the HomeTheater with CMSS-3D Headphone is excellent.

 

[vkvedam]

dts-Neo is similar to Dolby Prologic II, it has got nothing to do with DH. You just need a decoder of dts & DD with capability of DH processed output. Check out some of the Denon and Onkyo receivers, they've got this thing built in.