QUOTE(ravemaster @ May 28 2009, 10:35 AM)
Hi guys, i need help and am not sure if i am posting in the correct thread

my problem is quite frustrating one, it seem that i can't get 5.1 sound from my speakers. I can get the center speaker to function properly, but the main speakers and rear seem like sharing the same channel

for your info, i am using a HT set to connect to my PC.
before anything, here is my setup and things that i done
PC
---
Sound Blaster X-FI Extreme Gamer (mybe extrememusic, i forgot

)
Creative Digital I/O module connected to Digital I/O jack of the sound blaster.
setting on the Creative Console Launcher - FlexJack Mode: Digital I/O sampling 48Khz
EAX enabled
X-Fi CMSS 3-D - enabled, Upmix Mode -> Stereo Expand (Stereo Envelopment 100%)
Home Theatre
Yamaha RX-V420
Speakers - 5 Mclaren spleakers- 1 center, 2 main, 2 rears
Connection to PC - Optical cable
how i tested n know it is not true 5.1?
well, i tested using the Creative Console Launcher to test each speakers
the main prob is to get each speakers to function specifically to what they are meant to. currently only center speaker ok, main n rear sharring same channel. any ideas of what i missed and can do to remedy the prob? thanks
oh yeah, my creative control panel dont have the decoder tab, anyway i can retrive that? mybe that is the cause (dun know). anybody can link me to a working driver? i believe i am currenly using the latest one from creative website

simple problem, but complex solution, plus u never mention ur os, if vista, u need latest vista full drivers cd or full clean install of the lastest drivers from creative website to enable decoder option,
but thats not really important in ur case, as u are using spdif out, hence all the decoding is done via your yamaha receiver,
here some simple checks to make sure u are outputing proper raw spdif signal instead of pcm stereo on digital sound tracks,
*download and clean install latest driver from creative if u are using vista (best bet is download full
*if u are viewing dvix/mkv/mp4 with ac3 or dts track, make sure ur audio codec and player set spdif pass-through ( im my case i uses ac3filter and ffshow, both i set spdif passthrough)
*turn off all stereo widening or eax effects from creative panel,
*enable digital I/O under flexijack mode in creative volume panel
*if u are watching dvds, make sure powerdvd or windvd or whatever player u are using set audio out to spdif