Dvd-Playback (Ac-3/Dts) - RME Audio DSP System Multiface User Manual

9.2 DVD-Playback (AC-3/DTS)

AC-3 / DTS
When using popular DVD software player like WinDVD and PowerDVD, their audio data stream
can be sent to any AC-3/DTS capable receiver using the HDSP SPDIF output. For this to work,
the WDM SPDIF device 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 Multiface. For this to work select the WDM
playback device 'Loudspeaker' of the Multiface 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 Multiface.
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 Right)
6 - SR (Surround Left)
Note 1: Setting the card to be used as system playback device is against our recommendations,
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 HDSP card. This means when us-
ing AutoSync and/or word clock, the playback speed and pitch follows the incoming clock sig-
nal.
User's Guide HDSP System Multiface II © RME
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