Playing my Xbox in Dolby Digital

**Melf** · 15 Sep 2002, 04:11 AM

Holy crap! I finally got around to buying an optical digital cable for my Xbox to take advantage of the system's Dolby Digital output. I am more than impressed. The sound is absolutely incredible. I'm playing Obi-Wan and the soundtrack and effects almost make me forget how mediocre the game actually is (why does Obi-Wan sound like Paul McCartney?).

I bought the S-video cable, since I need some sort of switchbox to connect the GC, PS2, PSone, and Xbox together in component video. For a mere extra $15, I decided to buy the optical digital cable and it's been more than worth it. I recommend anyone with a digital receiver to upgrade ASAP.

EDIT

I just played Halo in DD......

*dead*

**Yoshi** · 15 Sep 2002, 09:34 AM

Welcome to the wonderful world of digital sound. I would never consider going back.

**amerlop** · 15 Sep 2002, 10:01 AM

to modify Yoshi's comments...

Welcome the world of the XBOX's Dolby Digital sound. I'm pretty sure they are the only current console system that can do that stuff in-game (not just on cut scenes and such). Yes, it is wonderful. And, by having a surround system (A have a little Denon setup w/ Yamaha Floorstanding speakers) in conjunction with an optical cable, you do get improved audio clarity and you also hae the ability to do Pro Logic and 5 channel stereo stuff.

And don't scoff at Pro Logic. It may seems like a cheap simulation but I know alot of PS2 and GCN games have sound written in to take advantage of pro logic (I guess because doing a 5.1 audio track takes up too much disc space)

**K3V** · 15 Sep 2002, 11:08 AM

Yes, I just grabbed an Advanced A/V pack and hooked my Xbox up in S-Video and Optical Audio last week and man, what a difference. I'm truly dissapointed that all the current consoles don't take advantage of Dolby Digital technology because it just sounds so great.

Unfortunately I bought my receiver like a month before Nintendo announced that they were supporting DPL II, so mine doesn't have that option. Games like Mario Sunshine sound pretty good in standard Pro Logic mode, but it's not even close to Dolby Digital.

I just upgraded my center channel speaker yesterday to the Cerwin Vega E-76C (Sears had it on clearance for $99) and Halo sounds pretty damn amazing now.

Dolby Digital audio is enough to make me consider the Xbox version of multi-platform games over the others (unless one of the others has extra gameplay features or something). It's that good.

-Kevin

**Yoshi** · 15 Sep 2002, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by K3V
Dolby Digital audio is enough to make me consider the Xbox version of multi-platform games over the others (unless one of the others has extra gameplay features or something). It's that good.

I agree. This was the deciding factor for me to get The Thing on Xbox in fact.