5.1 Mixing in 4.0c - confused & need help

stephenv2 wrote on 6/12/2003, 2:12 PM
I'm using Vegas with a 6.1 audio (Realtek) on the motherboard with S/PDIF Out into a home theater receiver S/PDIF in that has built in

First, Audio Device choices in Vegas all read just Realtek (no LR, Center, LFE choices) and all I get going to the receiver is a stereo mix. This receiver does not have analog surround inputs :(

I'm guessing Vegas does output 5.1 digitallly to the Realtek and/or the Realtek can't read the 5.1 from Vegas, just reads it as stereo.

So, what's the best solution? I was hoping to use a consumer receiver - I can return the reciever and get another, but I still not convinced I'm going to get the right channels to from the Realtek.

What sound cards allow you to correctly assign L/R/S/C/LFE in the "audio devices" in Vegas? And do they all output those channels only analog or will any output/encode them digitally?

I have my eye on using 5 Klipsch RB15 bookshelfs and sub to get high quality sound for under $1000 as a true pro setup appears to be way beyond my budget.

Comments

clearvu wrote on 6/12/2003, 3:15 PM
There are a few Sound Cards in the market supporting 5.1. I'm using a Sound Blaster Audigy and it works just fine.


Brian
mikkie wrote on 6/12/2003, 7:18 PM
Doing a bit of 5.1, Vegas hopefully either through asio drivers or one of the optional wav drivers in the dialog, will send out individual channels to the correct speakers attached to the soundcard. The driver issue is a bit tricky as several sound cards don't allow you to address each speaker individually - by default most of these cards will process the incoming signal and then split it up among the channels. Clearvu says he has no prob with his audigy, and I've got none with an audigy 2. Other then that, might want to search the forum for compatibility prob others have discussed.

As far as I know, your sound chip (and most all cards) will not send out six or seven individual signals merged over the spdif, but rather use this as a passthrough for a digital signal from something like a DVD. Caution re: creative labs cards as this feature is limited on some of their products. To get that to work you might have to convert 6 mono wave files to ac3 either using the sofo plugin or 3rd party prog (there is some freeware available).
SonyDennis wrote on 6/14/2003, 11:54 PM
Some sound cards can use the Direct Sound Surround Mapper audio device mode and don't expose three stereo pairs.
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