External audio cards

[muno]

I watch movies alot, and aim for a good sound quality.
However, my dvd player is really picky about which dvd's it will play and which it wont. And, it does not play mpeg4 videos.
Thus, I've had my laptop sitting on top of my other speaker and ran the connections from there to the amplifier and tv.

The laptop only has line-out, which is stereo sound. For me, it's unacceptable to watch a DD/dts dvd with regular stereo sound.

And, my wife wont let me build a htpc so I've turned into external audio cards.

I'm looking at audigy 2 nx or extigy. The audigy 2 nx is cheaper (around 100€), and extigy more expensive (around 150€).
I'm a bit confused, to whether these cards will be able to transfer the true DD/dts sound from a dvd to the amplifier. I was planning on running the optical cable from the soundcard to amplifier, and only usb from the soundcard to the laptop.
Is it meant to be so? I do not understand the idea of external card, if I needed to have optical out/5 channel analog out already from the computer.

Please, if you don't understand what I'm talking about, ask for clarification. When I'm planning on buying something, I really want it immediately

[lauroy8]

The only thing I can offer is that I was looking at getting one also. I read a few articles that show that external audio cards really gobble up alot of system resources. The refrences were mostly from gamers who said that they lost alot of gaming performance when using the USB audio. Not sure if it will effect DVD playback, but you might want to check before you lay out the cash.

[muno]

Crap...
I'll have to circumvent my wife then.. I'll leave the settop digibox for her, and build a computer just for my viewing pleasures.

[pinipig523]

i dont like external soundcards... there is a noticeable difference in quality between the internal audigy2ZS and the external extigy. as for the audigy2 external... i have no experience with that.

[Ruahrc]

If you're using it for dvd's external audio cards are a great way to go. If you buy a good quality one the sound can even be better than what's built into your laptop or PC.

I suggest that instead of those creative external soundcards, you look into the M-Audio Sonica. They have several models based on what features you want but I think they have a basic one that is just an Optical out and an 1/8" stereo out. If all you need is optical out pass through to your home decoder then the M-Audio sonica will fit the bill. The price is even lower than those Creative cards- it is $69.95 on the M-audio website. For $99 you can get the Transit which has slightly better quality I think and an input.

Here's a link to check them out:
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=...nsumerproducts

M-Audio is a very well known company that produces high end consumer and professional level audio products. You won't go wrong buying from them.

There was also another external DAC I saw... I forgot the company brand though- do a search on External Soundcard or External DAC USB- you'll find some stuff.

Ruahrc