Gaming and 3D Sound

Do I get Dolby Digital 5.1 out of my 3D games?

Let's just tackle this one head on. The Vortex 2 Superquad is able to dump all of its audio output in raw digital format through the S/PDIFport. If your game supports Dolby Surround (such as Aliens vs. Predator, then the decoder will pick up on this and give you fully virtualized 3D surround. Otherwise, no. Just because your game supports DirectSound3D for 3D positional audio, you won't be able to set the "virtual surround" Output button and get instantaneous 3D positional audio.

So what about my sound card's 3D abilities?

All is not lost, though. Remember that your new Vortex2, SLive, or Sensaura-enabled sound card has its own 3D DSP processing on board, and outputs its audio straight to the speaker system. Because of this, you can pass the signal straight through the transmitter unit and through to the headphones. Granted, for this to work, you MUST use the standard stereo option (thereby disabling the virtualization DSP on the DS5000). Imagine a phase-shifted, filtered system going through another filter that does the same thing. Instant mess.

Set correctly though, this allows you to use your 3D card to its fullest potential. If your game only supports stereo 3D, the virtualized front setting should help expand the sound stage as well, for a fuller, less in-the-head experience.

What if I don't have an optical S/PDIF thing?

Well, this is the boat most of us folks are in. If you're a PC enthusiast with any number of PC sound cards not equipped with TOSlink output, you can still use the coax stereo-in on the DS5000 for Dolby Surround (Pro Logic) decoding, but it may not be worth your time. First of all, you won't be able to take advantage of Dolby Digital, which is the draw of the system and the reason the trasmitter unit exists as it is. What's more, there are plenty of wireless headphones out there that provide longer range at a lower price, and are fully compatible with the 3D directional output of an HRTF-capable sound card, without the hassle of changing modes.

The DS5000 system is strictly for digital output, and its benefit is clearly that for home theatre, so if you're dead set on getting a pair, it's time to invest in the old DVD collection as well!