Re: NU Audio Driver Release v0.1.3.0 (Win10/Win7) [5.1 Dolby/DTS Passthrough Support]
2019/06/28 08:45:36
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IN order to play games in 5.1 with this card it is apparent that Dolby Digital Live / DTS Live must be supported which is the only option for this card due to NO 5.1 analog outputs. Pass Thru only works with actual content already encoded in 5.1 like movies. While advertised as a gaming Sound card I consider it subpar at this point for NOT supporting True 5.1 gaming surround. I was actually getting ready to order 2 of these cards to replace my SB-Z and SB Omni due to Creatives newest card has no DTS/DDL support. Now I realized NO Dolby Digital Live Support either on this card (got excited too quickly) This seems to be a pattern for some reason just like Realtek not supporting DDL/DTS Live either on their newest drivers (unless you get a modded version of the drivers, works great) The fact there is no 5.1 analog option for Realtime surround gaming on this card would make it a must to add support for DDL/DTS, not just pass-thru. Most titles today and even Legacy titles have 5.1 support... such a shame a card at this price level currently can't support true surround gaming. Obviously if I want just high end stereo sound and recording I will stick to external DAC. I'm sure this card is fine for just stereo gaming and music for people who don't care about surround sound, however I was really looking forward to an all in one gaming surround, movie surround, music surround, with high end specs solution other than creative. I suspect though it boils down to not wanting to pay for DDL/DTS license fee's to increase profits perhaps. Should those options be added in the future I will consider getting this card or maybe a newer model perhaps in the future but until then suffer with what I have for now.
Additional notes on Nahimic 3D: This being advertised as Virtual Surround is an after thought... Virtual surround translates to simulated surround.. its fake and not immersive as the real thing... Like trying to Simulate creatives EAX with just 2 channel output (most games output at 5.1 which are being down converted to 2 channel) With the advent of new Surround systems continuing to come out with more advanced receivers, 7.1 or 7.2 all in one speaker systems, Dolby Atmos, and Real 3D sound. This is the same Software that's included with MSI MB onboard sound which happens to have more options and control due to having 5.1 analog output but for NU AUDIO just simulated. This card should not have been marketed as a gaming card but for audio purest (stereo) internal sound DAC, PCM audio and 5.1 now only pass-thru. If you look at the reviews about Nahimic and even the MS Store a lot of issues, maybe they will get better eventually but my experience trying it out multiple times since 2017 no real change but I guess when your used to REAL 3D Surround Gaming the fake stuff just sounds like crap. This card definitely has potential and would hope they will consider adding DDL/DTS Live support if possible.