A/V Onboard vs dedicated Soundcard

[sandys]

Just a quickie, I picked up a Xonar DX based on some comments on the forum regarding onboard
audio being poor and dedicated soundcards being better.

When I first switched over to DX I fired up battlefield and I am sure that it sounded better so was pleased but on subsequent runs the sound doesn't seem as good as it was, I have switched in the onboard again and there is no difference between them, so something it up.

Both onboard and Xonar will activate Dolbly digital light on decoder when I test in windows, but it doesn't come on in game, should it?

Trying to figure out if something in my setup as gone awry or if in fact on my first play through I thought it sounded better as I was twiddling with the sub settings etc,

I am going to try an uninstall and re laod of drivers but thought I'd put a post up.

It should be noted I use optical out on both scenarios to my decoder, I do not use analog.

[IvanIvanovich]

Difference is most evident between onboard and dedicated with analogue. Using digital the difference is negligible as your receiver does the majority of the processing work as receiving a more or less raw data stream from the source. There may be some minor improvement differences, but it will likely not be anything substantial.

[noizdaemon666]

Agree with Lysol. Also, "better" sounding audio is subjective, not everyone will hear a difference between on board and dedicated sound cards. As for it sounding better on the first run through, maybe that was a placebo effect?

Oh and if the game should be outputting Dolby Digital, then the light should come on. All the settings right in game for your audio?

[sandys]

Right Sorted, sound is back and it is better again yay

Turns out I set the machine up incorrectly when dicking about, of course I may have made the same mistakes with the onboard so it could be that it would sound better too, can't be arsed to try at the mo as I have to get some work done but I will later.

Originally Posted by Tom_gr7 of some forum :)

ok, so I have spent ages trying to get DD in bf3, through my tritton ax pro's.

Things you need,
1. Soundcard with SPDIF output, sound card should support Dolby digital live. I have recently bought a Asus DX, works a treat. Clicky
2. 5.1 speaker set, or digital headset such as tritton ax pro's, link for trittons clicky
3. Optical Cable, has two square ends.

So you need to ensure that ya sound card is fully up to date with the latest drivers, ensure that ya hardware is connected up.

Then using the software that comes with your card, in my case Asus dx center,
1. Ensure that speakers are set to 5.1
2. Ensure that Dolby digital live is ticked too.

Then on ya pc sound panel (bottom right) ,
1. Ensure that the speaker selected for default is the sound card device, in my case it's "asus xonar dx audio device" Make sure that this is set as default NOT SPDIF Output, sounds stupid I know.
2. Then right click on SPDIF output and ensure Dolby Digital, so that's "SPDIF out", "properties", "supported formats" then ensure Dolby Digital IS selected/ticked.

Then in the game sound settings
1. Ensure that you select home "cinema surround system" or "headphones"
2. Do not select stereo enhancement.

Then everything should work fine. You could download this http://www.wooferbasstest.com/downlo...1ch-sound-test which is just a short video that tests each of ya sound channels.

Hope this helps people out, It took me ages to find a solution.

Also Note that Dolby Digital sounds AMAZING in bf3!

Tom

Source