View original (French)

5.1 Sound with Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi

Solved
Patiftouf Posted messages 4 Status Member -  
 davidg16 -
Hello,

I recently bought a Logitech Z-5500 Digital THX kit, so 5.1 sound, of pretty good quality :D

On my PC with Vista 64-bit, equipped with a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Audio sound card, for which the latest driver is installed (with Alchemy and all that stuff), I set up my speakers via a direct 6-channel connection (3 jack plugs: front satellites, rear satellites, and subwoofer).

I checked in the Windows sound control panel, the 5.1 kit is recognized, without the Creative label, so that’s great.

In the control panel of the Creative sound card, the same. Everything is perfect, even the sound tests work (a voice comes out of each speaker to check that it’s properly connected).

I start music, either on Deezer or with the Creative mplayer (since the Windows player no longer recognizes the songs due to the driver installation (to use the Creative software ^^)).

.............

And there I realize that no sound is coming from the rear satellites, despite everything I’ve tried to make it come out of those speakers.

Is it serious, doctor?

Thanks in advance!

PS: if I switch from 6 Channel Direct mode to Stereo x2 mode, or even to Pro Logic II Music mode using the "remote control" provided with the speakers, the sound comes out fine everywhere. But I want to have sound in 6 Channel Direct

PS2: I will try connecting my PC to the speakers via optical, let's see if that resolves the issue...

17 answers

  1. lastnero
     
    Hello, I have roughly the same problem with a X-Fi Surround 5.1 card under Windows Seven...

    Before, under Vista, there was no problem; stereo sound was distributed across all speakers, but under Seven, it is not...
    However, a HD movie in 5.1 works perfectly.

    I think the issue comes from the Creative software; when the card is plugged in, Seven immediately installs the drivers, so there’s no need to install the manufacturer’s software.
    In trying to fix the problem, I went ahead and did it, but the software won't launch...

    I've read on other forums that the sound card itself is supposed to distribute stereo sound to the other speakers, so I think the problem is that the software is not working, but what can be done? (without going back to Vista!^^)
    5
    1. meta
       
      I have the same problem, we need to find a solution.
      0
  2. twilight66
     
    Hello, I'm having the same problem on Windows 7 64-bit. The sound test works for the 5 devices, but when I launch audio applications, I only get 2.1.
    I've looked everywhere, but I don't understand.
    3
    1. Goryblaster Posted messages 2 Status Member 1
       
      Similarly, I don't really understand either. For games, it works well in "6 Ch" mode, though!

      I just caught something, in the Realtek audio manager, under "sound effects" then "environment," if you set it to "generic," for example, it works!! If anyone finds a solution...

      Good luck to everyone!
      0
  3. Pw3t
     
    "With the Creative Xfi software, go to the CMS-3D panel and enable CMS-3D surround, then in the mixing mode check Surround Stereo."

    Same for my X-fi. After two little hours of hassle, the solution was right under my nose. Basically, if you want surround with Creative, well it's not automatic, you have to check it =D
    3
    1. Keto
       
      THANK YOU !! =) ... Pw3t you were spot on !!... It absolutely needs to be activated manually if we want the sound to come out in surround... I’ve been searching for the problem for 2 hours now and you just saved my life lol... A big thank you to you ;-)
      0
    2. dams
       
      I would have liked to know where you stick your =d on Creative and where to go for the 5.1 to work properly, thanks in advance.
      0
    3. davidg16
       
      Hi, the best option is to connect the card with a coaxial cable or optical cable if you can. Plus, you will have more sound options available on the Z5500. Don't forget to enable the SPDIF output on your sound card, otherwise it won't work as well!!
      0
  4. berbert-pk Posted messages 56 Status Member 6
     
    Hello,
    I may be mistaken, but if your sound comes from the internet (Deezer and others), its quality might leave something to be desired, and it can only provide stereo sound...
    2
  6. squark
     
    I solved my problem: I just had to activate the optical output in PowerDVD or in the AC3Filters for the DivX!!
    2
  7. Marlbo
     
    Hello, I'm having the same issue with a Sound Blaster Live 7.1 sound card and Creative 5.1 speakers... When I enable audio effects it works, otherwise no sound comes from 3 out of 5 speakers... Please help.
    1
  8. Loki
     
    Hello, I apparently have the same problem. The 6 speakers work fine when I test them separately, whether it's with the z-5500 test or with the audio card driver (XiFi Forte from Auzentech, so Creative driver).
    But when I play a movie in 5.1, for example, with MediaPlayerClassic and AC3 Filter, I don't have any rear surround. The surround sounds come out of the front speakers (essentially testing with only the surround speakers).
    However, when I switch to optical mode, there are no issues. But I would like to use my audio card's resources and connect via 6ch directly.

    So if anyone has any idea where the problem might be coming from?? I would lean towards an audio driver issue, but I have no idea how to resolve it.
    1
    1. Aschram
       
      Have you tested the official Auzentech driver, the "Forte Driver version 1.1"? It's not quite the same as the Creative driver; this one is 212 MB.
      0
    2. davidg16
       
      Hi, I have a Sound Blaster Live 5.1 and a Z5500 kit. I bought an optical cable with a Toslink connector, 6mm in diameter, but when I try to connect it to the optical input on the Z5500 control unit, the cable doesn't fit!! What type of optical cable reference do I need for the Z5500?

      Thanks in advance.
      0
  9. Patiftouf Posted messages 4 Status Member
     
    I specify that this sound card has 8 channels, so there shouldn’t be any problem with 6 Channel Direct

    see MSI Eclipse sound card: http://www.ldlc.com/fiche/PB00080034.html
    0
  10. Judoranz
     
    Hi,
    I have exactly the same problem as you. A Z5500 kit and a X-Fi Titanium that produce no sound at the back, everything goes through the front in 6ch direct.

    Did you manage to solve the problem?

    Thanks in advance
    0
  11. squark
     
    Hello,

    I'm having the same issue with a x-fi surround 5.1 sound card (external USB sound card for laptop)
    I plug the optical output into my amp, and it only detects stereo sound.
    I tried using a DVD on PowerDVD or a DivX in 5.1. No results
    I also tried messing with the settings in vain.
    I can only get 5.1 sound by telling my amp to emulate surround sound from a 2.1 source. So it’s pointless (I might as well plug my headphone output into my amp)
    If anyone has the solution, I'm all ears :)
    0
  12. pacifik
     
    Good evening, I have the same problem as you,
    SupremeFX X-Fi (7.1)
    and Yamaha RX-V465 + 5.1 kit connected via optical
    on 7x64ultimate

    no 5.1 in-game...

    should I set up a dual boot with the little XP?
    0
  13. calderon
     
    same here...

    I'm on 7 64bits and the same problem... drivers are up to date though!
    0
  14. cir
     
    Hello, personally, I have a X-Fi connected to a Cambridge SW 5.1 (Creative, of course) and even though it detects a 5.1 setup, I only get 4.1 in analog and if I connect via optical, NOTHING… does anyone have a solution to activate the optical output?
    0
  15. geekosa Posted messages 10502 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   986
     
    Uh, have you downloaded and installed the DTS pack for your Realtek card??

    Because for me, it’s impossible to get true 5.1 without the Dolby Digital or Dolby DTS pack installed (see the Creative site)

    After that, you'll just need to activate it in the manager.
    0
  16. Aschram
     
    Edit of the previous message:
    I plan to get this card on my new setup with Seven 64 bits within a week, so your problem interests me, please keep us updated :)
    -1
    1. familou
       
      Hello, I have a friend who also has the package and has no problems. Me and 2 other friends have 6 channels but it only works on 2 speakers. I've looked everywhere at his place... impossible... the only thing I know is that he's had it for 7 years and that it works correctly on any PC... strange.
      0
      1. lastnero > familou
         
        Actually, the 5.1 sound works well.

        But you only hear it in two speakers because the audio track you are listening to is in stereo.
        If you watch a movie in 5.1, you will have all the speakers working.

        You need to enable something for the stereo sound to be distributed across all the speakers, and I don’t know how to do that with the Creative software...
        0
      2. Aschram > lastnero
         
        With the Creative Xfi software, go to the CMS-3D panel and activate CMS-3D surround, then in the mixing mode, check Surround Stereo.
        0
  17. Alance
     
    I have the same problem, I even thought about reinstalling the driver completely and nothing.

    Does anyone have any ideas??
    -3
  18. mika16
     
    disable the 5.1 and the sound will be better and will work on all speakers
    -4