Logitech Z5500 and Creative X-FI exteme music Config question

[MikeP]

Hello

I purchased that speaker set yesterday and so far so good.
My only concern is DTS and DD 5.1 standards.
How can i test my soundcard and speakers to see if they "play" DTS and DD 5.1 soundtracks

the speakers are connected analogly to the soundcard BUT the souncard can decode , DTS , DD5.1 soundtracks.

Second question :
Here's a picture of my room : could you please tell me if i hang the speakers a little bit higher than where they should be located ?

i17.tinypic.com/54ehy4p.jpg


Soundcard link : creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=14066

Speaker set link : logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/home_pc_speakers/devices/224&cl=us,enspeaker

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[dotVIBE]

Hi Mike,

The Z5500's are nice computer speakers, hardly audiophile equipment though. So, to get DD or DTS, you have to be linked with digital coax or optical to the card. It does not seem like the card has these, so to get these effects via analog, you'll have to run 3 stereo 3.5mm mini-jacks from soundacard outputs 1,2 and 3 to the yellow, black and green inputs on the Z5500's digital processor. The Processor will display "DTS" or "Dolby Digital" when it can decode the signal.

And yes, the speakers are too high. Put them level with your ears.

[Bloodstriker]

I believe if u run the cables from the card to the speaker's main unit, it will play in 5.1 regardless of the format. The soundcard should be decoding and sending the information directly and it should display "direct". At least that's what happens to mine!

The only time I was able to get it to display something different was when using a digital connection not via PC.

[Sheep]

Creative cards use a 3.5mm digital out. You need a 3.5mm to RCA cable. That will work, but I don't think EAX will transfer over it.

[Audiacc]

^
As Mike connects the speakers via analog outs all EAX stuff will transfer, no problems should occur here.

As for initial query:

Hello
My only concern is DTS and DD 5.1 standards.
How can i test my soundcard and speakers to see if they "play" DTS and DD 5.1 soundtracks
the speakers are connected analogly to the soundcard BUT the souncard can decode , DTS , DD5.1 soundtracks.


- I'd say the easiest test would be to take a DVD movie and just try it. Or you can search your harddrive for *.ac3 files


Second question :
Here's a picture of my room : could you please tell me if i hang the speakers a little bit higher than where they should be located ?


Use speaker calibration software (It is called THX Console) to optimize sound with the current setup. If you feel speakers are too high but it is hard to get them down, try to ANGLE them a little bit so that they are rather facing you and not pointing 3 ft above your head as it mimght be the case now.

Nice setup, enjoy :)