ED#02 : SoundStorm In A Cup

[zeppelin]

A sound test on the ASUSA7N8X Deluxe.
I've tested the DD5.1 sound thru the board built in 5 channel analog output using WINDVD Software Decoder to play my DVD Movies and all I get is normal Dolby Surround for all the 5.1 channels.
The Nvidia sound panel were set to 5.1 or 6 channel speaker mode and the sound testing for all the channels were correct with the female voice saying discreetly on all the 5 channels, but when I played a DVD containing the DD5.1 sound all I got is a normal Dolby Surround mode, it cant do the software decoding of DD5.1

Than I hook up back my old SB live 5.1 DE as normal I can get a discreet DD5.1 channel decoding thru the SB live 5.1 analog output when playing the DVD movies thru the WINDVD Software Decorder.

So my Question is the Soundstorm DD5.1 only work using its Coaxial Digital output hook up thru a Outside DD5.1 Decoder?

If thats the case than Creative card is much more superior because it can do a software decoding of Full Discreet 5.1. where else the Nvidia Soundstorm on the ASUSA7N8X Deluxe could not and only works when hook up using the Coaxial output to a outside hardware decoder.

So by using only the coaxial output hook up thru a Outside hardware Decoder, might as well I use the standalone DVD player, it defeat the purpose of a multimedia PC.

Any of you had done the test yet? Or maybe because it fails to do so its been pull off the NVIDIA certified list.

[Divine_Madcat]

Actually, the review says nothing about the PCI card. I would be very interested in a card that could encode DD5.1, and if that card can do it...

[zeppelin]

Note that Encoding(Encoder) and Decoding(Decoder) is 2 Different thing altogether.
The SB Live DE can do a software Decoding of DD5.1 channel thru its analog speaker output from the card itself.
The SoundStorm from what I've tested using the Asus A7N8X Deluxe only can do Encoding of DD5.1 channel thru its Coaxial Digital output.
You need an Outside hardware Decoder for the later to produce DD5.1 channel.

[Adrian Wong]

Hello Zeppelin,

The APU (Audio Processing Unit) in SoundStorm-capable boards support only Dolby encoding. You'll need to send the output to an external decoder.

So, failure to do a software decode has nothing to do with the A7N8X Deluxe being pulled from the list. Dolby software decode was never part of the specifications.


Hello Divine_Madcat,

I think the editorial has stated it pretty clearly. I'll cut and paste the relevant passage from the editorial :-

There are no provisions for upgrading to a SoundStorm solution or adding SoundStorm capabilities after a product is in the consumers hands. The product must contain everything necessary to provide full audio functionality in accordance with the SoundStorm program out-of-the-box and be tested and approved by NVIDIA and Dolby. This is done to ensure the best quality and consumer experience possible, and to guarantee a minimum level of quality on all SoundStorm branded products.

Due to such requirements, there won't be any PCI cards offering SoundStorm-certification. Remember, SoundStorm is not some exclusive NVIDIA audio technology. It's merely a branding programme by NVIDIA and Dolby.

Even if there's such a card, it will only be useful for users with nForce motherboards or nForce2+MCP-T boards. You cannot use the imaginary SoundStorm card with a VIA or SiS motherboard.

Hope that clears it up!

[zeppelin]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

Hello Zeppelin,

The APU (Audio Processing Unit) in SoundStorm-capable boards support only Dolby encoding. You'll need to send the output to an external decoder.

So, failure to do a software decode has nothing to do with the A7N8X Deluxe being pulled from the list. Dolby software decode was never part of the specifications.

Than what I'm saying about hooking up thru a outside hardware decoder is correct lor.
Thks for the clarification anyway.
Its really a waste buying a board with the built in sound but not using it.
I really need the software decoding as I watch a lot of DVDs on my PC using my PC analog speakers. Its a hassle hooking up to a Hardware HIFI decoder as my hifi set is in another room.
I wonder why they did not include a Software Decoding to the SoundStorm, it will make the Soundstorm more attractive for the customer and for the market selling strategy.

[Divine_Madcat]

Hello,

So, even if there is no offical addin, what about the card? I have never seen anything like it, and it sure looks like a full soundcard to me. I mean, i understand that it must have it all built-in to qualify, but if that is so, why make a PCI card???

[goldfries]

when i run Prime95 and crank up the volume i could hear odd transmission noises. is that normal for the nV-SS??

somehow i just miss my SB Live 5.1 DE. sounds almost same to me, don't know why so many people claim it's of very much higher quality. hrmrmr. i guess i'm not audiophiled enough.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by zeppelin

I wonder why they did not include a Software Decoding to the SoundStorm, it will make the Soundstorm more attractive for the customer and for the market selling strategy.

Well, it may make the nForce2+MCP-T boards more attractive BUT it wouldn't be attractive at all to other Dolby customers (those selling the external decoder units). The idea of cheap motherboards coming with Dolby decoding capabilities would have given them nightmares!

On the other hand, if the APU comes with a Dolby decoder, you can expect the price of nForce2+MCP-T motherboards to be much more expensive than it currently is. Dolby will definitely charge quite a bit for the licensing...

Originally Posted by Divine_Madcat

So, even if there is no offical addin, what about the card? I have never seen anything like it, and it sure looks like a full soundcard to me. I mean, i understand that it must have it all built-in to qualify, but if that is so, why make a PCI card???

Hello Divine_Madcat,

What card are you talking about?? There is no SoundStorm card. That's what NVIDIA is trying to tell. All motherboards must come with SoundStorm built-in. There will be no SoundStorm PCI card to turn any motherboard into a SoundStorm-capable board.

That's because SoundStorm is a branding programme that requires the product to be certified by NVIDIA and Dolby. It also requires the presence of the nForce or nForce2 APU. Hence, EVEN if you can get your hands on a SoundStorm card, your system cannot be called SoundStorm-certified...

[bugs_bunny]

what about my poor old nforce 1 ?
i have a Asus A7N266-VM which has MCP-D in it.
(nForce 220D chipset)
the box says dolby digital !!!

what is this all about .. am totally a novice in terms of sound..

thanx

[Chai]

SoundStorm is a certification, and it's only available on limited NForce2 board at the moment, which is stated in the editorial. None of the NForce1 motherboards has SoundStorm certification so far. But since both of them uses the same APU, so there's still a possibility that NForce1 may get SoundStorm certification.