Firewire, DVD Audio and the soundcard.... (1 Viewer)

[MikeH1]

Firewire was recently approved to be as the digital medium for DVD Audio. So, other than all of us now knowing that our stereo recievers and DVD players need *eventual* replacing, what about soundcards? I understand that the Soundblaster Audigy 2 has 2 firewire ports, are these set up so I can use the firewire for DVD Audio to run to my amp? (lets pretend it accepts firewire). Or does Creative need to come out with a new card that caters to this?

Any thoughts?

 

[Brian Ruth]

Mike:

Near as I can tell, the current Audigy 2 setup uses 3 analog outs to output the DVD-Audio signal. RIGHT NOW I don't think it has the ability to output the DVD-A signal via FireWire, though that MAY change in the future with a firmware/driver upgrade.

Your best bet would be to buy 3 miniplug to RCA cords and hook up your system that way.

But the 2 FireWire ports should be fine. The only danger you may face is the coming FireWire 800 , which MAY supplant the current FireWire in 3-5 years. I'm sure by that time you'll want new components anyways, so it's probably not a big deal.

EDIT: The plain-vanilla Audigy 2 has 1 FireWire port, the Audigy Platinum and Platinum EX models both have 2 FireWire ports. Just wanted to make that ($80) distinction.

 

[MikeH1]

Ok thanks Brian. Also, the platinum has a Dolby Digital decoder built in, so theres another reason why its $80.00 more.