As with previous
Creative soundcards, the X-Fi offers comprehensive decoding
features.
Formats supported by the
Dolby Digitial decoder are: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX
and Dolby Surround Pro Logic. Should you choose to use
X-Fi’s built-in Dolby Digital several options are available
to configure: Dynamic Range compression, Dolby Pro Logic and
Dolby Digital EX support, how 5.1 output is handled with
6/7.1 speakers.
DTS formats supported
are DTS,
DTS 96/24,
and DTS-ES. Of some minor note is that DTS Bitstream Out
is the same as the Dolby Digital Bitstream Out
option, i.e. they can’t be configured independently.
The Digital I/O offers a
few related options, too. S/PDIF Input can be configured to
provide pass-through support to S/PDIF Output or configured
to decoder Dolby Digital/DTS streams, while for Digital
Digital/DTS S/PDIF Output the Digital Output Sampling Rate
should be set to 48 KHz.
Compared with the Audigy
2 ZS, the options available in these menus are basically the
same, plus the DTS 96/24 support.
Another potentially
useful feature is that the 24-bit Crystalizer can be enabled
to re-mix DVD soundtracks. As with music playback, the
24-bit Crystalizer does make noticeable changes to the
audio.
Along with 2.1-7.1
Analog outputs and the S/PDIF In/Outputs on the Fatal1ty
FPS’ Drive bay, you’ve got one highly capable DVD system.
Audio quality thoughts are much the same as with Music
playback – improved bass performance and more detailed than
previous generations.
