Intel Fireface 800 - Manual (Page 25)

User's Guide Fireface 800 © RME
25
12.2 DVD-Playback (AC-3/DTS)
AC-3 / DTS
When using popular DVD software players like WinDVD and PowerDVD, their audio data
stream can be sent to any AC-3/DTS capable receiver using the Fireface's SPDIF output. For
this to work, the WDM SPDIF device of the Fireface has to be selected in >Control Panel/
Sounds and Multimedia/ Audio< or >Control Panel/ Sound/Playback<. Also check 'use preferred
device only'.
The DVD software's audio properties now show the options 'SPDIF Out' or similar. When select-
ing it, the software will transfer the non-decoded digital multichannel data stream to the Fire-
face.
Note: This 'SPDIF' signal sounds like chopped noise at highest level. Try to avoid mixing and
routing the signal to your loudspeakers, as they might get damaged.
Multichannel
PowerDVD and WinDVD can also operate as software decoder, sending a DVD's multichannel
data stream directly to the analog outputs of the Fireface. For this to work select the WDM play-
back device ’Loudspeaker’ of the Fireface in
XP: >Control Panel/ Sounds and Multimedia/ Audio<, and check 'Use only default devices'.
Additionally the loudspeaker setup, found under >Volume/ Speaker Settings/ Advanced< has to
be changed from Stereo to 5.1 Surround.
Vista/7: >Control Panel/ Sound/ Playback < as ‘Standard’. Additionally the loudspeaker setup,
found under >Configuration<, has to be changed from Stereo to 5.1 Surround.
PowerDVD's and WinDVD's audio properties now list several multichannel modes. If one of
these is selected, the software sends the decoded analog multichannel data to the Fireface.
TotalMix can then be used to play back via any desired output channels.
The typical channel assignment for surround playback is:
1 - Left
2 - Right
3 - Center
4 - LFE (Low Frequency Effects)
5 - SL (Surround Left)
6 - SR (Surround Right)
Note 1: Selecting the Fireface to be used as system playback device is against our recommen-
dations, as professional interfaces should not be disturbed by system events. Make sure to re-
assign the selection after usage or to disable any system sounds (tab Sounds, scheme 'No
audio').
Note 2: The DVD player will be synced backwards from the Fireface. This means when using
AutoSync and/or word clock, the playback speed and pitch follows the incoming clock signal.