PC gaming Tech → 5.1 Audio for Doom 3

I need clarification on whether Doom3 will be Dolby Digital 5.1 or just 5.1 surround sound (there is a BIG difference). With dolby digital 5.1, you need something somewhere in your audio stream to decode the dolby digital signal. If it is just 5.1 surround, you merely need an audio system capable of delivering 5.1 discrete channels, but not necessarily dolby digital.

For example, my motherboard (Asus P4P800 deluxe) has onboard sound that can support 5.1 speakers. However, it cannot (on its own), decode Dolby Digital 5.1.

So does anyone know the answer to this? I need to know whether I need to pick up a card or speakers with a dolby digital decoder, or go the MUCH cheaper route and simply replace my 2.1 speaker system with a 5.1 speaker system??

good question - I have the P4C800 Deluxe motheboard, and I think it can decode dolby digital 5.1 - although I am trying to find out if Doom3 is db5.1 or "just" 5.1 also.

Can they encode to DB live?

Audigy2 ZS is the ticket

But I may not need a pci sound card if doom 3 is NOT dolby digital 5.1. My onboard sound can do 5.1 surround (just not dolby digital).

I've found a university newspaper article dated July 17, 2004 that states Doom III will support DD 5.1. Here's the link. Note that it mentions it on page 2, and you need to sign up to see past page 1, but BugMeNot can help if you don't want to sign up.

quote:

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Id Software has every intention of making the hair on the back of your neck stand up through the use of sound. Not only will the game support Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, it’s also the first game ever to be optimized for this technology.

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Actually, the only card that can output DD 5.1 in a game would be Nvidia's Soundstorm thats built in to some motherboards. The question is not whether you can decode DD 5.1 but if your card can ENCODE DD 5.1. Since games sounds are not pre-mixed in 5.1 and are generated live you would need to be able to encode. However i think they will support Directsound 3d to give you 5.1 sound.

would that mean that all games that state to support dolby digital 5.1 sound require nvidia soundstorm? does anybody know if future nvidia motherboard chipsets will feature soundstorm?

thx

said by herunr:

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would that mean that all games that state to support dolby digital 5.1 sound require nvidia soundstorm?

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no, any card that supports 5.1 such as creatives live! and audigy line work fine, as do other onboard sound like realtek's

Anandtech just published an article yesterday on Doom3 sound tests. It's not that comprehensive, but it does say that simple AC97 5.1 built in sound works just as well in D3 as a high-end Creative card.

»www.anandtech.com/guides ··· 2155&p=1

Heres my question. In order you get digital sound dont you have to have speakers that can handle it? Cause I have the crative inspire 5.1 "not digital" speacker system on a audigy 2 zs and when I set it for digital output its just has a sratchy/static sound. Also I have the Asus p4b266 and I got digital decoding for the integrated sound on that motherboard.

I have never really seen too many digital Speaker system out on the market. Its like anything really if you can decode it you can hear it in DD 5.1 just like a Stereo reciver you can plug in a Analog Coexial cable in a digital Coexial port to get DD 5.1 vs the Digital Optical Port. Your Inline should be enough.