Creative GigaWorks S750 7.1 and Dolby Digital / DTS support?

[RamGuy239]

Okay, I have to admit.. When it comes to sound, sound-cables, basicly anything that has to do with "sound" I might be called a "newbie".

So my questions might sound a bit silly for all you sound enthusiasts out there, that's the reason for me posting this in the first place :)

Well, I have a new PC-rigg coming.. And I'm going to buy a set of Creative GigaWorks S750 7.1 to go with it, along with a Asus Xonar D2X or Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe (need the deluxe edition to be able to connect the GigaWorks S750 right?) soundcard!

My question is whether I will be able to make use of Dolby Digital or DTS?
If yes, how? What's required? Is there some way to make use of the new Dolby Digital TrueHD and / or DTS(HD) Master Audio? I've heard that those are superior when it comes to 7.1 surround simulations?

[BenchZowner]

You need a sound card with 8 channel ( 7.1 ) analog output support ( via mini-jack connectors ).
The HDAV1.3 Deluxe has the required Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Prologic II, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS Neo and DTS HD Master Audio to decode the audio streams.

[RamGuy239]

So no need for any digital / fancy connectors or anything?
Just a sound card that supports the required decoding and I'm ready to rock?

[BenchZowner]

Yeap.
You only need a sound card that can output 8 channel signal through mini-jacks.
Having digital out connectors will do nothing for your GigaWorks since they don't feature a digital input.

If you want to listen to non-downsampled Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio you need to grab a decent & recent sound card, like the HD AV 1.3 or the forthcoming Home Theater card from AuzenTech.
Anything but those will give you downsampled ( to 48KHz/16BIT ) Dolby True HD & DTS HD Master Audio output, and normal ( non-downsampled ) Dolby Digital & DTS output.

[RamGuy239]

Then I ordered a Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe instead of the D2X for my new system! :)

Thanks for all your help!

[BenchZowner]

Have fun with it ;)