Sound Blaster

[1xm1n]

PART 1 GUIDE.

This guide comes in 3 parts.

Hello all Creative Audigy 2 ZS ( non Pro ) owners. After owning this card for close on 7 mths now and getting to know the basic ins and outs that need to be set up to get the most out of the card I thought I would write up a basic guide to get new owners started as quickly as possiable. I know when I first got home with it, it was close to 1 hour or so before it was all up and running 100%. Hopefully with this basic guide to getting started, new owners will be up and running 100% in about 10 mins.

My guide is not aimed at serious problems  and/or software releated issues as there is just far to many variables. Instead I have compiled the basic needs for installing and setting up the card to get the very best possiable sound reproduction for games/music and DVD video playback. Along with a few common problem solving tips.

For the most part the card is simple enough to setup,install and update drivers and get fantastic DD 5.1 sound, THX and DTS reproduction. As far as games go, everything should work right off the bat and in most cases going to the developers web site for patches will solve any sound issue you may have. It is impossiable for me to add any fixes for games in this guide but if you have a problem most developers have a dedicated forum for thier games at which help is at hand.

I have not included any tips/info on recording media as there are WAY too many things to list, so a seperate guide may follow although the online manual for all creative products is very good.

THIS GUIDE IS FOR THE CREATIVE AUDIGY 2zs ( NON PRO ) though should work with all creative products.

Table of contents:
1: SETTING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME:
2: INSTALLING THE zs:
3: Updating Drivers and applications ( This is a 2 part guide ):
4: PLXCore.PLX Error:
5: UNINSTALL DRIVERS:
6: UPDATEING DRIVERS : PART 2 : BETAS
7: SLOW BOOTUP AFTER DRIVER INSTALL/UPDATE:
8: SOUND CARD NOT DETECTED OR DRIVER WONT INSTALL:
9: NO SOUND AT ALL:
10: SOUND POPS AND CRACKLES:
11: 5.1 SOUND IN DVD MOVIES:
12: FILTERS AND CODECS:
13: Some common errors you may encounter with WMP10:
14: Fix a Codec/filter error:
15: MISC Errors you may encounter:
16: Test your overall sound with RightMark:
17: Music playback:

1: SETTING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME:

Make sure all previous sound devices and drivers are removed.

The first thing that needs to be done is general system maintenants. The first thing is to make sure that any previous sound device drivers and application, ( mixers and recorders etc ) you have are removed from your system. This is very simple to do. Go to add remove programmes and find the device driver and the applications and select remove. Now you may think, thats it but there is a little bit more to be done. After the driver is removed there is bound to be a few files left over. So in general simply go through your temp folder  C:\Documents and Settings\"user"\Local Settings\Temp and delete all files. Also go through C:\WINDOWS\Temp and delete files in here. Go through C:/ and locate any folders that contain the apps for your old sound device, these may include mixers and the like. Delete these folders if found.   After this is done it is a good idea to uninstall any and all third party codecs. ( more on codecs later ) These would include Divx, AC3 filter etc. You should know what Codecs you have installed, and as there are many different codecs its not practical for me to go through them all here. Now that we have covered the removal of previous sound devices and its applictions along with all 3rd party codecs its time to get that new ZS up and running.

NOTE: If you have onboard sound you MUST dissable it in the bios.
At boot hit the Del key and once in the bios ( read through the manual for your Motherboard ) find the onboard sound device and dissable it.

2: Installing the ZS:

As a rule you do not want to install any PCi device in the PCI slot directly under the AGP slot as it can and mostly will cause an IRQ conflict. PCI-e has no issue with this though. So on an AGP board I have found the PCI slot 4 is best suited. After the Sound card is sloted in place, double check it is sercure and the mounting screw is in place.

Fire up your PC.

The first thing to happen is windows will find the device. Let Windows find the device, then you will get a screen asking if you want windows to find drivers or simular. Say no and cancel this. Place the CD that came with your card into the CD drive and simply follow the prompts to install the drivers and applictaions. It is important not to cancel this and to install ALL the applictions such as media source etc. After all is installed you will need to reboot for all changes to take affect. Once the system reboots you will then given the choice to regeister your Creative product. I would highly recommend you do this now, if not just to get it out the way but you may get an application is not regestered error.

Hopefully you now have your card installed and working. Please do view the getting started demo as it will show you first hand all the settings and options for Media source applictaions. Very handy.

CHECK THIS FIRST UP:

In Creative Media Player click on tools and then settings. Click general and under play back sound devices, ensure your card is selected thus to the device features.

Type in run "C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\Audio Device Selection" Doulble click the "CTAudSel" Icon and ensure your device is selected

3: Updating Drivers and applications ( This is a 2 part guide ):

The next thing you WILL want to do before running games or Media is to update your drivers and apps. Creative have made this process easy with their Auto Updater. Simply go to the surrport page at creative.com and select drivers. You will then need to select the auto update fuction which will need to install activeX control ( this one is safe so dont stress ) after this is installed your card will be detected and the next page will be displayed with all relevent divers and applictaions. I highly reconmend you install any apps that state Critical or essectial. Other reconmened applications are for specific fuctions so use you own judgement on these. The process wont take to long and is fully automated. Now you may ask, what about the beta driver. To update to the latest beta you need to download it manually and install it from your desktop.

Note: The betas are GREAT so dont be afraid to use them though you must understand that some applictaions may not work correclty, though I have found these issues to be somewhat hit and miss. If an application fails,  simply reboot usally this fixes it.

Ok, so thats the easy stuff out the way then and hopefully you dont need to read on, though errors do happen and things go a bit pear shaped from time to time and I myself get the odd issue, though I've found for the most part these things are simple enough to solve hence this guide.

4: PLXCore.PLX Error:

This is a mystery error that can arise for no reason at all, sometimes.

Verify that the file PLXCore.PLX is located in the correct folder in your hard drive.

The default folder is C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files folder.

If the file is not present in the folder, manually copy the file from the original installation CD-ROM disk to the above location.

To do so, insert the Sound Blaster installation CD-ROM disk, exit from the Installation procedure if it auto runs.

Go to My Computer, right click on the CD-ROM drive that contains the installation CD-ROM disk, and select Explorer.

Double click on the CTEngine folder, then the PlayRec.cab file, it should expand.

Select the file PLXCore.PLX and copy it to C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files.

Reboot.

Any other bootup error that may arise can be fixed using the same method as above, though you will be looking for a different file.

5: UNINSTALL DRIVERS:

(If you want to un-install all drivers before updateing to beta drivers).

This is my tried and tested technique.

BACK UP THIS FILE NOW! ( this may save time later )  PLXCore.PLX  located in C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files. Incase you get PLXCore.PLX error.

Go to  Add Remove Programs and un-install all listings related to your audio card.Also any  apps, eg: media source. Do not restart your computer when prompted so.

In  C:\Program Files folder you should have an installshield folder ( may be hidden). In here are GUID named folders. .

If hidden, to view these folders Open folder options under tools . Now untick HIDE PROTECTED OPERATING SYSTEM FILES ( RECOMMENED ) it also may be just under hide files also. Try both methods if need be to veiw files.

Make sure when you are all done place tick back in box.

::YOU WANT TO DELETE THE INSTALLSHIELD files for CRETAIVE::

If you go through all the folders and look at each setup.ini you will find ones corresponding to Creative .
You can right click on some and it gives you info or open the ini  with note pad and if there is a reference to Creative labs, media source  and other creative apps  delete the entire folder.
Go through this twice to make 100% sure you get them all.
Empty out all temp folders.

Type in run MSCONFIG and make sure all creative entries are untick. There may  be nothing in here.
Type in run regedit and then in search / find / type in  startupreg . This will give you the MS startup entries. Delete the keys for creative if any.

No need to  Delete this folder ---- C:\Program Files\Creative ---- its proberly safest to leave it anyway.

Run the Beta installer.

6: UPDATEING DRIVERS : PART 2 : BETAS

You can use the auto updater from Creative and this is infact the best way to do this. However if you want to update the Beta Drivers ( which are infact better ) its best to just over right them,  with this method things SHOULD go smooth. I have always installed beta drivers this way with no issue as of yet.

Download the Beta.

Type in run "msconfig" and make sure ALL creative apps are unticked thus not to run at boot.
Type in run "services.msc" and dissable the Creative service.

Reboot.

Now run the installer for the Beta driver. You will come to a screen that will say or to this effect. An older file was found and may no longer be needed. SAY NO TO REMOVING THIS FILE AND ANY FILES!

If after this if you have any kind of media source application error ( which can happen with betas ) then simply re-install the applications. Its best to re-install ALL media source applictaions.

7: SLOW BOOTUP AFTER DRIVER INSTALL/UPDATE:

Search for these in sys32 "ctaud2k.sys" & ha10kx2k.sys. Are they the same version?
All system devices and drivers need to be the same version.

In control panel ( windows ) sound and Audio Device Properties, go to Audio and make sure they are all the same device.

EG:
Sound playback
Default device: SB Audigy 2ZS Audio [DF00]

Sound recording
Default device :SB Audigy 2ZS Audio [DF00]

MIDI music playback
Default device : SB Audigy 2ZS Syth A [DF00]

Place a tick in Use only default devices

Go to  C:\WINDOWS Updreg.exe. Right click on it and go to Props. In general go to advance .( this is for regestering your product.)
check its set up as follows.

Under Archive and index attributes are 2 boxs. File is ready for archiving and For fast searching, allow Indexing.
Untick File is ready for Archiving.
Place a Tick in  For For fast searching, allow Indexing.

Under Compress or Encrypt untick both.

Do the same for this exe. in C\:windows  CTRegRun.EXE

Message Edited by 1xm1n on 02-17-200611:40 AM

[1xm1n]

PART 2.

8: sOUND CARD NOT DETECTED OR DRIVER WONT INSTALL:

 
Many things can cause this.

Make sure you use the CD that came with your card and not just the updates.

Ensure your downloaded the correct driver.

Try a different PCI slot.

Take your card out and reboot windows. After reboot shut back down and put card back in.

Using a program like winzip or winrar extract the files from the .exe file.

Looking into the files you just extracted you should see a folder that says "Drivers". Click on that folder and then find the file that says "CTZAPXX.exe". After clicking on that it should start to install the updates.

Go to Device manenger and open up the device ( its proberly has a yellow ! ) beside it. Go to driver and update. Choose to manually install driver and follow prompts. Select have disk and then point to the driver INF. After this you should be able to use the CD to auto install the driver set.

Jumpers that are capped to dissable WOL on the motherboard may casue system to NOT see your sound card.

9: NO SOUND AT ALL:

Checked that "only digital output" is NOT ticked in creative mixer .

Open Creative sound mixer.

Go to:

THX Control Centre and check Anolg output.

Also in Mixer Speaker settings. Uncheck Digital output.

DIGITAL OUTPUT IS FOR USING EITHER THE OPTICAL OUTPUT ( ZS PRO ) or  THE SINGLE OPTICAL OUTPUT JACK TO AN EXTRENAL DEVICE.

Make sure your speakers are not mutted in Media source and control panel.

In control panel ( windows ) sound and Audio Device Properties , go to Audio and make sure they are all the same device.
They should be as follows or simular :

Sound playback.
Default device: SB Audigy 2ZS Audio [DF00]
Sound recording.
Default device :SB Audigy 2ZS Audio [DF00]
MIDI music playback.
Default device : SB Audigy 2ZS Syth A [DF00]

Look in your Windows\System32 folder: Search for:

"OpenAL32.dll",

"ct_oal.dll"

and

"wrap_oal.dll"

These are the 3 main dlls for Creative. If you dont have these you may need to:

A: re-install your drivers.
B: Manually place the files in the correct location.
To get the ct_oal.dll, open up  the current driver you are using with winrar and navigate to  Drivers\wdm\common\i386 and copy and paste the .dll into  C:\WINDOWS\system32 .

D/L and run the openAL installer to install OpenAL32.dll and wrap_oal.dll. 

http://developer.creative.com/articles/article.asp?cat=1&sbcat=31&top=38&aid=46

If they are there :

Did you install your drivers off the CD first? You shoud do this.

Is DX installed or updated. Try re-installing it.

Go to Windows control panel and then open up sound and audio devices.
Point to hardware and then your card, Click on properties .
The properties again.
Open audio devices.
Doulble click your card.
Check its on use audio features on this device.
Do this for all devices found in here.

10: sOUND POPS AND CRACKLES:

There apears to be no true fix to this issue. The only thing you can do is try different methods of solving this problem.

Open up your volume controls and mute "Aux Volume" and "CD Audio" - these are your "CD-In" connectors. also physically remove the cables from and cd/dvd drive to sound card  you can mute "Mic Volume" and "Line In" too.

Speakers power cable not pluged in the same power board as PC.

Lower your Master volume and Master Wav volume.

Ensure no other external devices ( Eg, Pre amps, Micro wave ovens, refridgeirators are using the same power outlet or are too close to your system.

NOTE: Back up your reg first!

Disable Turbo in "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Creative Tech\Emu10kx\DriverSettings\Wave\Pin#00000002" Set it to 0,

NOTE, Back up all your important DATA as this fix will do 1 of 2 things.

1: Work.
2: Require a reload of your OS.

Try at your OWN risk. Although Hardware will not be damaged in anyway.

Going through the IRQ lists, and looking through Device Manager, Is your Computer listed as Uniprocessor PC,  change it to Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), the crackling and popping may be corrected.

11: 5.1 SOUND IN DVD MOVIES:

Most of whats covered should work with all creative 5.1 products.

This part is for setting up your Creative Audigy 2 ZS ( non PRO ) for surround sound 5.1 reproduction and information in regards to required Filters/Codecs.

One of the most common issues people may have with 5.1 not fuctioning correctly while playing a DVD movie ( Mpeg ) or any multi channel media  that is 5.1 encoded, has to do with Codecs/Filters.

Most media players will not decode all AC3filters/Mpeg,  thus require extra filters/codecs/plugins to be installed.

Ok, the first thing to do is ensure your sound card and speakers are set up correctly.

Ensure your speaker cables are in the correct place and are tightly fitted onto your card.
Ensure your sound card is secure and tightly in place.
Make sure your speaker cables are tidy and not a big tangled mess.

Go to  creative mixer and make sure you have all 5 sliders working.
Go through all creative apps and enable 5.1
Go to Windows control panel and sound / speakers / advanced and make sure its at 5.1.

A few little things to set up first in Creative Mixer Control Panel to ensure cleaner sound:

Lower Master and Wav volume in Creative mixer to about 90% as to avoid any over drive disstortion.
Lower Mater Bass Volume to about 90% to avoid over powering the bass.
Ensure that your speaker settings match what speakers you are using in Windows control panel sound and Creative speaker settings.

Run the THX Speaker Callibration test in basic mode.

Go to Creatvie Audio Console and under Decoder open up  Dolby and select on-on-full and DTS on.

Go to Windows control panel and then open up sound and audio devices.
Point to hardware and then your card, Click on properties .
The properties again.
Open audio devices.
Doulble click your card.
Check its on use audio features on this device.
Do this for all devices found in here.

YOU SHOULD DISSABLE CMSS IN EAX CP IN ORDER TO GET  5.1 TO FUCTION AS IT SHOULD.

CMSS should only be used for a MONO or STEREO source/signal, ( Divx and the like or Music ). It is for sending the stereo/mono signal ( left and right)   to all speakers. This is not 5.1, mearly it is the same signal sent to all speakers to give you a more rich and vivid sound reproduction of an other wise flat source.

Turn off any EAX FX.

Things you want to do to ensure stable use:

SHUT DOWN CTHELPER:

A background task that is a plug-in manager for Creative drivers. A 3rd party manufacturer can use the CTHELPER plug-in interface to produce drivers, add-on features, and fixes that will integrate with a tighter fit with Creative’s sound drivers and utilities. Given its purpose CTHELPER would normally be classified as a "leave alone" background task. It also allows Creative speaker setup to be synchronized with Windows Control Panel speaker setting. Without it running that check box in Creative speaker setting is not functional (settings are not in sync). Unfortunately there are often problems with CTHELPER, most notably that it can use 100% of CPU time so it's best left disabled unless you REALLY need it .

Type in run "msconfig" and shut down all Creative Start up entries. Infact its proberly best to shut everything down.

NOTE: Any essentinal Software for the proper fuction of devices ,Eg: Razer mouse utils should be left on.

Simple Bios settings to help improve audio and stablity:

Dissable Pallette Snoop.
ANY AND ALL shadows for devices, EG VGA BIOS and system bios should be dissabled.
If you have the setting for PCI latency in your bios ( AGP boards only ) set it to 64, if its already at 64 try 32 .
Shut down ( remove, reconmended ) any 3rd party tweak apps that run in the background.
EG, Cache Man and any monitoring software.
If you have the option for S.M.A.R.T ( Self Monitoring and Analisis Reporting Technoligy ) dissable it.

[1xm1n]

PART 3.

12: Filters and Codecs.

For the most part you only need AC3 filter , Xvid ( or the full Divx Pack ) WMP10 and which ever other Play back programme you may prefer, Eg, Win DVD, Winamp and so on.

Codec stands for Coder/Decoder. Basically it is a piece of software or a driver that adds a support for certain video/audio format for your operating system. With codec, your system recognizes the format the codec is built for and allows you to play the audio/video file (=decode) or in some cases, to change another audio/video file into that format (=(en)code).

For example, when you install Windows to your home computer, Windows installs automatically  most commonly used codecs into the system, so you don't have to download them separately from their vendors. However there are some codecs that are widely used, but not installed by Windows. Most notably DivX , MPEG-2.

Get all the Codecs/Filters/Plugins you could ever need from:

http://www.free-codecs.com/AC3_Filter_download.htm

http://www.free-codecs.com/

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/default.aspx

Ok, you now should be all set.

A major required Filter is AC3.

AC3Filter - it is DirectShow filter for AC3 decoding to play AVI with AC3 audio tracks and MPEG2 (DVD).
Required for WMP.

NOTE: If you have DVD software that should play encoded 5.1 then make sure you have any updates/patches for the player installed and go through the tools/options for the player and ensure its setup  correctly to decode AC3filters in the applictions tools menu.

If you use Cyberlink Power DVD you may need to pay an extra fee to get the required AC3filter/MPEG2 decoders to fuction as all 5.1 sound settings may be greyed out  on some dated versions.

InterVideo WIN DVD  ( this software suit comes with most "Asus" if not all makes of Mainboards. This suit comes complete with the required codecs/filters so  get full surrport for  5.1 -  6.1 - 7.1 out of the box. Note: you must set it up first under audio options as it defualts to 2.1.

If you use WMP10 you NEED to download and install the AC3filter or get the latest XP codec/filters packs. With out these filters you may not get 5.1 sound and/or poor reproduction.

Supported file types:

The following table lists the file types (formats) supported by Windows Media Player .
(For files type played by Power DVD or WIN DVD please refer to the makers website or read me file for a detailed list).

File type (format) File name extension .
Music CD Playback (CD audio) .cda 
Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF)  .aif, .aifc, and .aiff 
Windows Media audio and video files .asf, .asx, .wax, .wm, .wma, .wmd, .wmp, .wmv, .wmx, .wpl, and .wvx
Windows audio and video files .avi and .wav
Windows Media Player skins .wmz
Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) .mpeg, .mpg, .m1v, .mp2, .mpa, .mpe, .mp2v*, and .mpv2
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) .mid, .midi, and .rmi
AU (UNIX) .au and .snd
MP3 .mp3 and .m3u
DVD video .vob
Macromedia Flash .swf
Microsoft Recorded TV Show .dvr-ms*
NOTE: WMP defualts to 2.1.
 
To enable 5.1 run WMP10. Click on tools then point to options. Navigate to DVD then open up the advanced window.In here is everything you need to set things up. If you dont see AC3 then you need to install the AC3 codec.

NOTE: If you mess things up simply return to defult settings and start over.

13: Some common errors you may encounter with WMP10:

Error messages are identified by numerical IDs, such as C00D0BC2 and 800704CF. You can determine the ID of a specific error message by clicking the More Information or Web Help button on the error message when you encounter it. The resulting page will indicate the error ID.

1: Error's C00D116A and C00D119A while playing DVD's or MPEG-2 content.
This is directly related to either your current video card drivers or the MPEG-2/DVD decoder you have installed (EG:  PowerDVD, Win DVD etc ). Reinstalling and/or uninstalling the MPEG-2/DVD decoder (PowerDVD, Win DVD  ) and/or video drivers  should fix the problem for you.
You should now be able to re-install you decoder ( Power DVD etc ) and continue its use.

Erro : C00D11AC:
Cannot play the file Windows Media Player cannot play the protected file because there is a problem with your sound device, such as a sound card or sound controller. You might encounter this error message for one of the following reasons.

Your sound device requires an updated driver. ( update driver )

The selected sound device does not support Secure Audio Path (SAP).

If you have multiple sound devices installed on your computer, try using a different one.

To use a different sound device, on the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Devices tab. Double-click Speakers,  audio device to use, click a different device.

Error : "divide error in module IVIAUDIO.AX at".

Only exists in systems that have various Sound Blaster Live sound cards and WinDVD  installed.
This is infact a  compatibility problem between these products. The problem is realized when MP3 oriented applications call upon certain sound card services making it look as though the error was raised from within the application in question.

FIX:
Uninstall WIN DVD. Reinstall WMP and AC3 filter and then reinstall DVD WIN.

A simple but rare issue.

ModName.Win DVD  "msvcrt.dll" and/or Win DVD MFC application error.

FIX:

Uninstall any java filters. Macromedia and Macromedia ActiveX.
( to remove ActiveX go to C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files and delete the ActiveX )

14: Fix a Codec/filter error:

Codecs/Filters/Plugins are like any other kind of software installed and things can go wrong. If things are not working as they should try the following.

Download and install "Gspot"

http://gspot.headbands.com/download.html
Build 030711 - 123 KB
 
Run the programme and simply point to system and select "List Codecs and other Filters"

Its easy really to know whats what here and how to use it to find out the source of the issue, if you have one. If its red, its bad so you then need to trace the Filter/Codec to its source and remove it.

Here is just one very simple excample you may encounter and how it was fixed.

If you have ffdshow file is missing error pop up while running a player application, first go to C:\WINDOWS\system32  and search for ffdshow.en. Its proberly not here though. If it is just leave it be.

NOTE: ffdshow is used for AVI/Xvid enc/dec source.

To fix this "ffdshow Video Codec file is missing " error Simply uninstall your Xvid codec or your entire DivX programme, or any other Filter/Codec you have installed for playback of DivX files and AVI Video Files.

(Some times it seems a few Codecs/Filters dont get along so you must be aware of what you install).

Cheak "Gspot" again and Filter should be removed from the list.

Now you can reinstall the Xvid filter "XviD-1.0.3-20122004" or your desired DivX programme.

Now go back toC:\WINDOWS\system32  and search for ffdshow.en. It should be there if it was not before. If the issue is back try a different version of required Filter.

So, thats just 1 excample of a simple fix that got everything working again. Its not to hard to find out what the problem Codec/Filter is and then its just a case of uninstalling it. You can re-install the Codec/Filter but  you should double cheak with "Gspot" and ensure the issue has not repeated itself .

If it has you can try and find out if the issue is related to another type filter causing a conflict or use an alternate Filter/Codec that will perform the same task .

Search for an updated version of required the Codec/Filter also.

Ok, thats pretty much the basics in getting correct and stable 5.1 sound working the way it should with your new Creative Audigy 2 ZS
sound card.

15 : MISC Errors you may encounter:

ModName.Win DVD 7 msvcrt.dll
 
and/or
Win DVD MFC application error.

Uninstall any java filters. Macromedia and Macromedia ActiveX.

For Explorer issues such as pages not operning, media not working and the like :

type in run:
regsvr32 vbscript.dll
regsvr32 jscript.dll

Sound stutter:
Go to Device Manager
Go to Sound,video and Game Controllers
In there you will see Audio Codecs double click it
Go the to the properties TAB
You will see Windows Media Audio double click it
Change the priority from 7 to 1
Apply OK exit everything
Restart PC

If it fails, set back to 1.

Any Media file errors you may encounter can be fixed by going to add remove programme list and uninstall the codec/filter. EG, you get an error playing an AVI file. Remove Divx and or other AVI codecs. Re-install just one AVI codec.

16: Test your overall sound with RightMark:

http://audio.rightmark.org/index_new.shtml .This tool is just a simple tool for testing all fuctions of your card. You will soon enough know if your card has an issue in relation to EAX HD and surround sound.

17: Music playback:

Well, not a lot to say here really. Put in your Music CD or select your MP3/WAV file ( NOTE : MP3 will NEVER-EVER sound as good as a retail CD, FACT ) and then go to Mixer. Set up CMSS in EAX the console as you prefer and adjust the 7 band EQ to your liking. Thats all there is to it really. Its more about experimentation over the correct way to set things up.

Ofcause you can use WinAMP for Music playback also

Well, there you have it. The basic grail of the Creative Audigy 2 ZS ( non pro ) setup guide. I do hope it has made your experience with setting things up a breeze and are now enjoying full range 5.1 in games and DVD movies.

[jpinard]

Wow, this is fantastic!  Can you do one for the X-FI too?

[1xm1n]

Well I dont have an X-FI so I cant test the methods i have listed, thus would be kind of guess work on my part.

Though most of the finer  details listed  should pertain to any card really.

Hopefully someone here will do an X-FI  set up and go guide with tried and tested methods, that would be cool.

[Stargazer]

1xm1n that is a very good review for the ZS owners but one thing i can't see on there.

If you use Cyberlink Power DVD you may need to pay an extra fee to get the required AC3filter/MPEG2 decoders to fuction as all 5.1 sound settings may be greyed out  on some dated versions.

InterVideo WIN DVD  ( this software suit comes with most "Asus" if not all makes of Mainboards. This suit comes complete with the required codecs/filters so  get full surrport for  5.1 -  6.1 - 7.1 out of the box. Note: you must set it up first under audio options as it defualts to 2.1.

The way i see you recommending users of the software to either pay intervideo or cyberlink for the ability to play Dolby digital 5.1 or upto 7.1 and then also to play DTS you have to pay for an add on pack. Why not recommend the SPDIF out setting in these players for which will then pass the decoding to creatives internal decoders which can decode both Dolby digital and DTS and also have upto 7.1 speaker setup without paying these manufuctures extra.

AC3Filter - it is DirectShow filter for AC3 decoding to play AVI with AC3 audio tracks and MPEG2 (DVD).
Required for WMP.

With AC3 filter i see no recomending SPDIF out in AC3 filter to users to use the built in creative decoder which will do AC3 decoding and also for dvd/avi files. There are some older movies which do have 2.1 dolby surround (virtual channels encoded into it) which can be upmixed to surround sound using dolby pro logic on the card.

[1xm1n]

Hi'Ya.

Always good to get input .

The SPDIF option is usally greyed out also.  Has this changed in newer versions of bundled Power DVD?

To be honest I hope so

Some external decoders may not do it, so if useing standard speakers and then selecting SPDIF, they may get no sound at all .

What I have done, is more or less given a guide for basic out the box usage, trying to keep it simple for new owners then the more advanced stuff, they will pick up as they go.

Most users just want to slap the card in, install  the drivers, install a media player for DVDs and get surround in games. 

More advanced otpions, I just left out as there are stickies on these already

For other setups, if people use external decoders and want to use SPDIF, Optical cables and then run into problems ( of which there are simply way too many things that can go wrong, thus would have made my guide incrediably long ) then I thought it best for them to use the board for help.

Although, please do, if you want to add a more advanced option guide here. The more advice/info we have the better.

Message Edited by 1xm1n on 01-27-2006 01:59 PM

Message Edited by 1xm1n on 01-27-2006 02:16 PM

[Stargazer]

Well on powerdvd 6 OEM version i got its there but i also find it depends on the manufucture who supplys the software as to what bits you get included at there descrection.

"Most people dont use external decoders, so if using standard speakers and then select SPDIF, may get no sound at all ."

Some people i know who have a ZS Retail done this set the card to digital or SPDIF out instead of setting up the speakers to what they have in the THX console (7.1 analog speakers) then in the decoder changing it to internal decode instead of SPDIF pass through (external decoder) but they did setup the dvd player correctly to SPDIF out. They said they had no sound till i looked at it.

As for me I just use Powerdvd 6 set to SPDIF out then set the internal decoder to do the decoding for Dolby Digital or DTS sounds on a dvd and then it goes to the 7.1 speaker setup i have (analog).

AC3 filter for AVI files i have the SPDIF setup for AC3 only and i do find is a great codec.

Although i will need to get an external decoder for the dvd player down stairs. But for the PC the XFI is just fine.

But i do do agree with you as the guide is a good one for the basic setup and getting first time users up and running first as since most don't know what to do or how to get it working properly and need a step by step instructions. I will be honest and did look at it from the view as of an advance user and not a basic user.

Message Edited by Stargazer on 01-28-2006 01:10 AM

[1xm1n]

Thats it Stargazer  Thats the primary Target my friend   

Its for the average user who just  wants 5.1 in games , listerns to music and plays the odd DVD here and there, though still wants high quality 5.1 - DTS - 5.1ES. ( Because the wife wants to watch "the Secret Life Of Us" I have no choice .sigh ) LOL

Its taken straight from my own experience with the card and mostly from just researching and appling methods and then finding which is the best and quickest method to get what the user wants with no fuss. When I first got my ZS, going from a 5.1 live I had no idea what was going on and found it hard to understand what I needed to do and get/Download  and whats required for proper 5.1 and DTS.

Thus, over 7 Mths ( I work as a contract PC techie, so Its always good to log EVERY little thing and detail on as much as possiable, I must have the largest cheat sheet in the world ,LOL,  ) tweaking, setting up, researching codecs and filters and what is required plus other smaller things just to get it running the way it should with no issues and/or degraded sound quality, all rolled up in one, hopefully handy guide.

I was going to add more technial things and issues but the stickies here cover everything in a VERY easy to understand way plus most programmes come with read me files and not to forget the boards here I have lost count of the extremly clued in guys here. I would have to think this forum would have to cover everything you will ever possiably need and want to know about Creative cards.

Anyway, all remarks are welcome ofcause, simple reason is , the MORE methods, techniques, setting options we can muster up in one place to better.

LOL, I just hope atleast one person has got something out of it

[1xm1n]

Just a side note. How I have mine setup is :

I use WMP10 + nStantMedia ( Nvidia media player ) Its simple and nStantMedia give awesome piture and sound, I simply love it.

I then have the digital cable running from my DVDrom to card.

Hooked up to a set of Logitech X-530.

SPDIF is selected in decoder options under media HQ.

In the options for nStantMedia I have SPDIF set.

It goes off and to be honest ( watched BLADE 2 and War of the Worlds  -  5.1 - DTS ) and cranked it up, yeehaw. Sadly my rear sats are blown and I needed to replace the woffer, LOL it was worth it though.