temp1abc

System Specs

Hello all,

I've spent some time reading and searching the forums, and I want to get this stuff to work properly, so I've decided to ask here.
My goal:
PS3 Optical audio out (DTS/AC3)--> Audigy 1 DTS/AC3 Decoder --> 4.1 Analog speakers
My current goal:
PS3 Optical audio out (DTS/AC3)--> Digital I/O Module (SB0002) --> (cut wires)--> (AUD_EXT 15 & 16) --> Audigy 1 DTS/AC3 Decoder --> 4.1 Analog speakers



I have an Audigy 1 (SB0090) in my Windows XP machine. I originally thought that the "Digital I/O Module" (SB0002) would allow me a digital input, but I did not read enough. The port it plugs into is only digital out on my card. I found this out after about two days of Creative / YouP-PaX / kX / drivercleaner insanity (it's not hard, just time consuming).
Being the genius that I am, I went to Fry's and noticed an Audigy SE (SB0570) for $30 that supports the "Digital I/O Module" (SB0002). Joy! I bring it home and attach it up. After enjoying some nice (upmixed) stereo video on my PS3, I fire up a game and experience no sound. A few hours of investigation later shows me that the Audigy SE (SB0570) has no DTS/AC3 decoding, and it was just playing the PCM (I think) signal straight! I spent some more time trying to get AC3Filter to decode the DTS unsuccessfully (I'm not sure it even was DTS at the time, it was the Harry Potter demo -- next time I try for DTS it will be using the Uncharted demo) using GraphEdit. It only instilled a delay or pops/crackles.
Well, doesn't the Audigy 1 decode DTS/AC3 in hardware? Why would I use software on my slow computer if the hardware can do it?

So now my the questions come down to these:
1) Does the Audigy 1 (SB0090) support DTS/AC3 decoding from S/PDIF IN?
2) Can I set it up to auto-detect which type it is, and decode in hardware?
3) Will it do this from the CD-SPDIF IN port?
4) Will the Creative drivers let me do this, or do I require kX for this (1/2/3)?
5) Does anyone have the technical specs of the "Digital I/O Module" (SB0002) and its four-pin connector? I wish to cut this cable open and plug it directly to the AUD_EXT pins (was it 15 and 16?) (and a 4.7k across the LiveDrive pins - 1 and 31?)
I want to make sure the TTL voltage level matches, so I need to understand if this is even possible from the specs on the SB0002.
8) If the SB0002 doesn't output the proper TTL levels for the AUD_EXT connection, then do I need to buy an Optical to Coaxial connector to convert the TOSLink to TTL, or something else?
9) If I'm completely screwed with an Audigy 1, then what's the cheapest soundcard (PCI) that can accomplish this?
10) Has anyone gotten optical DTS/AC3 into their Audigy 1 to decode to analog speakers?

Sorry for the long post, I'm really frustrated at how poorly named/documented the Creative card line is.
Hopefully someone can keep me from flushing another $20 and five days down the toilet...