Realtek Dolby Digital Live support on non-DDL chips

FreedomFighter · May 8, 2008, 02:15 PM

The Realtek chip ALC888S appears to have the exact same pin outs as the ALC888DD. This indicates that to enable DDL on non DDL chips would require a software mod of the audio drivers.

I was wondering if anyone was aware of any projects on this?

Judas · May 9, 2008, 09:28 AM

this would be very very cool

ACSlater · May 10, 2008, 11:30 AM

Interesting thing! I tried RedocneXk but didn't get it working. On my mainboard is a Realtek ALC888 but not with the DDL/DTS Connect functions. So if this driver thing is going to make DDL work for my simple onboard, it's just awesome. Saves me some money I would have to spend on a new soundcard with DDL like the Theatron Agrippa.

ACSlater · May 12, 2008, 03:07 PM

I did a load of googling on this subject and didn't find if anyone ever tried to hack the drivers to enable DDL & DTS Connect. It has to be possible but I don't have any hacking skills. Realtek only uses one driver for all their HD Audio codecs, so it has to be the device or motherboard ID that enables the DDL. I guess changing the drivers is illegal but nevertheless if Realtek offered a software add on to unlock DDL, I would buy it.

FreedomFighter · May 13, 2008, 01:13 PM

Yes, I would love to see it done too, but I also have minimal coding/hacking skills.

New realtek HD drivers are out today: v1.92

Realtek

**dj_stick** · May 13, 2008, 05:30 PM

the chips may have the same pinout, but if the DDL engine is hardware, then you're out of luck

Judas · May 14, 2008, 10:07 AM

but what is the actual hardware is present within the chip.. but is disabled by default..

it would be pretty amazing if a driver inf changeup were to activate such features..

perhaps some of the chips have a faulty ddl, and some other don't...

FreedomFighter · May 14, 2008, 11:04 AM

DDL and DTS connect are both listed under the "software features" section of the product info here:

Realtek

and here:

http://realtek.info/pdf/ALC888_1-0.pdf

FreedomFighter · May 14, 2008, 11:26 AM

Here is the datasheet we need:

ftp://218.210.127.132/pc/audio/ALC88...aSheet_1.2.pdf

page 15 shows the pin out from a regular ALC888S

page 16 shows the pin out from a ALC888DD

they are exactly the same.

FreedomFighter · May 21, 2008, 01:20 AM

Anyone notice the disclaimer that realtek put up on their site a few weeks back:

"Audio drivers available for download from the Realtek website are general drivers for our audio ICs, and may not offer the customizations made by your system/motherboard manufacturer. To be sure you obtain the full features/customizations provided in your original audio product, please download the latest drivers from your system/motherboard manufacturer's website."

With this in mind, I found a mobo that supports DTS connect and DDL with the realtek 888D chip:

GIGABYTE - Support - Motherboard - Driver - GA-M59SLI-S5 (rev. 1.0)

Interestingly, the drivers are nearly double the size of the drivers straight from realtek when extracted.

I tried installing them, (hoping for an easy solution), but I did not see any added features.

Perhaps someone else might take a look and see how to get these extra features to install from the above linked drivers (v1.87).

ACSlater · May 22, 2008, 04:45 PM

I tried the same thing as you Freedomfighter and with the same result. I gave up on this. I bought a Club3d Theatron Agrippa which has DTS Connect and DDLive. It's well worth the money. I have every sound in DTS on my home cinema. Soundquality on the analog outs are also way better than the Realtek HD or Audigy 4 that I used before. The soundcard is also sold as Auzentech X-plosion I believe.

**dj_stick** · May 22, 2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreedomFighter

Here is the datasheet we need:

ftp://218.210.127.132/pc/audio/ALC88...aSheet_1.2.pdf

page 15 shows the pin out from a regular ALC888S

page 16 shows the pin out from a ALC888DD

they are exactly the same.

pinouts mean nothing if the 888s chip has no dolby digital engine