Sound card with digital (optical or coax) out (1 Viewer)

[Jeremy_Watson]

I'm considering getting a new soundcard so I can watch DVDs on my computer and get the surround sound experience using my receiver and 5.1 setup. I've begun looking briefly, but figured I'd ask here for any recommendations. Most decent looking cards I've seen run about $150 in stores (probably cheaper online). Do any of you have recommendations on a good, not-too-pricey card, or ones to be wary of?

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[Drew Wimmer]

http://www.m-audio.com/products/m-audio/audiophile.php
it can be found online for just over $150
I don't have any first-hand experience with it, but I've heard good things

 

[John*Jones]

woops disregard, missed the optical/coax

though it is possible with a 1/8" Mini digital out

 

[Kris McLaughlin]

(cue up my usual suggestion...)

Check out the Zoltrix Nightingale Pro 6. Optical & coax ins & outs, plus 6 ch. analog through minijacks. 45 bones jones, works like a charm.

cheers,

 

[Philip Hamm]

I got a CeMedia sound card with optical in and out for $15 about a year ago on uBid. I don't know if it will specifically support Dolby Digital, but I would think that any sound card would.

 

[RandyObert]

My Abit NF7-S MB has 6 channel, Dolby, Optical output and the entire board is 120$. I replaced an Audigy 2 card with this and love it. Only card in system is my Ti4600 Abit vid card

I did pull the chip-set fan off this MB when I got it, almost NO thermal grease under fan, I run all water cooling so it got a water block in place of this fan.

This old MB and processor. I upped this to a XP2800 Barton
Pics

 

[Philip Hamm]

Randy your post made me smack my head and say "duh". Of course my $15 CeMedia sound card supports Dolby Digital, it has 6 channel analog output in addition to the digital in and out. WinDVD 6-channel version was part of the OEM bundled software!

Works great, too.

 

[RandyObert]

15$ for 6 Channel dolby digital? can't beat that! I did finally get to use the Optical input on my cambridge 5.1 system however.