Soundwise.org - Philips Acoustic Edge

Getting 5.1 on Acoustic Edge

Thanks go to Ryan Spevack and especially Jackson Wang for the screen shots and explanations.

On the S/PDIF tab, you will see (from the appropriate attached picture) various options, which are pretty much self explanatory again. The last

option under S/PDIF out is what people will want to use if they want to use an external decoder, such as a receiver. The user will still (obviously)

have to utilize a software DVD player to pass the AC3/DTS signal to the sound card.

The only thing to note is, if you do not want to use QMSS (Stereo Expansion from any stereo source to 4.0, 5.0, 5.1) for an External Input Source, such

as Line In or CD (as I have it selected for CD), then just pull down the drop down list and select none. There are currently three inputs to apply

QMSS to within that drop down list. These three inputs are Line In, CD, and Aux In.

All other stereo sources will be automatically channeled to 4.0, 5.0, or 5.1, depending on your preferred output. The "Expand Out" check box is only

for the WDM drivers (in other words, not found in the VxD drivers). This check box, when checked, will expand stereo sources to 4.0, 5.0, or 5.1

when using an application that only outputs in stereo. Un-checking it will cause all stereo sources to be played only out of the two front satellites.

However, you must still have, for example, the 5.1 output mode chosen so that DVDs will properly output in 5.1.

"Expand All

(WDM Drivers Only)

Select "Expand All" before starting an application to transform stereo applications to 4, 5.0 or 5.1-channel playback.

Selecting "Expand All" for 2-channel Soft-DVD players expands the output to 4, 5.0 or 5.1 channels. When playing 4 or 6-channel WAVEFORMATEXTENSIBLE files (a format commonly used in newer multi-channel wave files), "Expand All'" should not be selected so that the sounds are heard from the correct speakers."

If you're wondering what that DVD SSM option is for (it is found in both the VxD and WDM driver versions), here it is, from the help file:

"DVD SSM (Small Speaker Mode)

(PSC705/PSC706 Only)

Select the "DVD SSM" box under Output Mode on the Settings Tab if you will be utilizing Dolby Digital DVD playback mode using small satellite

speakers. This will enable the subwoofer connected to the sound cards' LFE output to produce the bass content that the satellite speakers cannot produce.

This box will have no effect when using QMSS DVD Enhancement (see DVD playback modes).

For proper operation 4 or 5.1(6) channel output must be selected in the soft-DVD player's control panel.

Requires Soft-DVD player capable of providing 4 or 5.1 channel output.

Only applicable when sound card is in 5.1 speaker mode."

Some things to note: If you use the Promedia 5.1 speakers, you can run it in 5.0 speaker mode, which sends the subwoofer signal through the center

and all the satellites, and the Promedia's built in crossover will take care of sending only the low signals to the sub.

Notice also: If you enable DVD SSM, then the center channel will no longer produce some of the bass, but instead the sub will do all the work and pass

on all the signals that surpass the crossover frequency limit to the satellites.

As always, experimentation and personal tastes will provide the "best sound." It is interesting to note that if you only enable 5.0 instead of

5.1, that will allow the Promedia 5.1's to take care of all the bass management stuff. I'm not sure which is better at it, the AE or the PM

5.1's, but I suspect that it doesn't matter too much, since the PM 5.1's will still manage the signal in the end.

If you have selected "4 Speakers", "5.0 Speakers", or "5.1 Speakers" (PSC705/PSC706 only) and an application running on your PC generates only

stereo sound the Philips Edge Series will automatically convert the applications output to 4 or 5.1 speakers using QMSS. Converting external

sources (analog CD In, S/PDIF In, Line In etc.) are manually controlled as described under QMSS."

The "Effects" tab is where you will go to control whether or not you want to take advantage of EAX in games. The help file says (and it says a lot):

"The 'Effects Tab' allows you to enable reverb and QSound Environmental ModelingT (QEMT).

QEM provides EAX 1.0/2.0 game compatibility and allows you to add reverb to non-EAX sources including audio applications, S/PDIF In (PSC706 only) and external inputs.

The Philips Edge Series uses QSound Environmental ModelingT (QEMT) to support games utilizing EAXT 1.0 or EAXT 2.0 properties including

environmental reverb, obstruction and occlusion modeling.

When playing games supporting EAX properties select the "Enable" box on the Reverb/QSound Environmental Modeling section of the Effects tab. Set the Environment selector to "- none - " to avoid reverb being applied to non-EAX applications.

To apply reverb to non-EAX applications also select a reverb type using the "Environment" selector and adjust the reverb level using slider

corresponding to the source. The reverb type selected will also apply to MIDI playback using the H/W wavetable synth.

Using this pull down menu you can select various types of reverbs that simulate various environments. To turn on these environments the "Enable"

box must be selected.

If you are playing an EAX 1.0 or 2.0 game it should automatically select the appropriate environment as you move around the game. The environment

selector can be left on "-none-".

If you are playing a non-EAX enabled game, music or movies you can select an environment of your choice and adjust the level using slider

corresponding to the source.

If you are using the Philips Edge Series (H/W) Synth rather than the Yamaha SXG (default) then the Environment you select will also be used when

playing MIDI music and the intensity will be controlled on the reverb slider on the MIDI tab.

Some "Environments" such as "Concert Hall" are more appropriate for music while others like "Forsaken" were designed with specific games in mind and others like "Drugged" are for gaming and general playing around."

Everything else in the "Effects" tab should be self-explanatory.





Getting 5.1 on Acoustic Edge Thanks go to Ryan Spevack and especially Jackson Wang for the screen shots and explanations. On the S/PDIF tab, you will see (from the appropriate attached picture) various options, which are pretty much self explanatory again. The last option under S/PDIF out is what people will want to use if they want to use an external decoder, such as a receiver. The user will still (obviously) have to utilize a software DVD player to pass the AC3/DTS signal to the sound card. The only thing to note is, if you do not want to use QMSS (Stereo Expansion from any stereo source to 4.0, 5.0, 5.1) for an External Input Source, such as Line In or CD (as I have it selected for CD), then just pull down the drop down list and select none. There are currently three inputs to apply QMSS to within that drop down list. These three inputs are Line In, CD, and Aux In. All other stereo sources will be automatically channeled to 4.0, 5.0, or 5.1, depending on your preferred output. The "Expand Out" check box is only for the WDM drivers (in other words, not found in the VxD drivers). This check box, when checked, will expand stereo sources to 4.0, 5.0, or 5.1 when using an application that only outputs in stereo. Un-checking it will cause all stereo sources to be played only out of the two front satellites. However, you must still have, for example, the 5.1 output mode chosen so that DVDs will properly output in 5.1. "Expand All (WDM Drivers Only) Select "Expand All" before starting an application to transform stereo applications to 4, 5.0 or 5.1-channel playback. Selecting "Expand All" for 2-channel Soft-DVD players expands the output to 4, 5.0 or 5.1 channels. When playing 4 or 6-channel WAVEFORMATEXTENSIBLE files (a format commonly used in newer multi-channel wave files), "Expand All'" should not be selected so that the sounds are heard from the correct speakers." If you're wondering what that DVD SSM option is for (it is found in both the VxD and WDM driver versions), here it is, from the help file: "DVD SSM (Small Speaker Mode) (PSC705/PSC706 Only) Select the "DVD SSM" box under Output Mode on the Settings Tab if you will be utilizing Dolby Digital DVD playback mode using small satellite speakers. This will enable the subwoofer connected to the sound cards' LFE output to produce the bass content that the satellite speakers cannot produce. This box will have no effect when using QMSS DVD Enhancement (see DVD playback modes). For proper operation 4 or 5.1(6) channel output must be selected in the soft-DVD player's control panel. Requires Soft-DVD player capable of providing 4 or 5.1 channel output. Only applicable when sound card is in 5.1 speaker mode." Some things to note: If you use the Promedia 5.1 speakers, you can run it in 5.0 speaker mode, which sends the subwoofer signal through the center and all the satellites, and the Promedia's built in crossover will take care of sending only the low signals to the sub. Notice also: If you enable DVD SSM, then the center channel will no longer produce some of the bass, but instead the sub will do all the work and pass on all the signals that surpass the crossover frequency limit to the satellites. As always, experimentation and personal tastes will provide the "best sound." It is interesting to note that if you only enable 5.0 instead of 5.1, that will allow the Promedia 5.1's to take care of all the bass management stuff. I'm not sure which is better at it, the AE or the PM 5.1's, but I suspect that it doesn't matter too much, since the PM 5.1's will still manage the signal in the end. If you have selected "4 Speakers", "5.0 Speakers", or "5.1 Speakers" (PSC705/PSC706 only) and an application running on your PC generates only stereo sound the Philips Edge Series will automatically convert the applications output to 4 or 5.1 speakers using QMSS. Converting external sources (analog CD In, S/PDIF In, Line In etc.) are manually controlled as described under QMSS." The "Effects" tab is where you will go to control whether or not you want to take advantage of EAX in games. The help file says (and it says a lot): "The 'Effects Tab' allows you to enable reverb and QSound Environmental ModelingT (QEMT). QEM provides EAX 1.0/2.0 game compatibility and allows you to add reverb to non-EAX sources including audio applications, S/PDIF In (PSC706 only) and external inputs. The Philips Edge Series uses QSound Environmental ModelingT (QEMT) to support games utilizing EAXT 1.0 or EAXT 2.0 properties including environmental reverb, obstruction and occlusion modeling. When playing games supporting EAX properties select the "Enable" box on the Reverb/QSound Environmental Modeling section of the Effects tab. Set the Environment selector to "- none - " to avoid reverb being applied to non-EAX applications. To apply reverb to non-EAX applications also select a reverb type using the "Environment" selector and adjust the reverb level using slider corresponding to the source. The reverb type selected will also apply to MIDI playback using the H/W wavetable synth. Using this pull down menu you can select various types of reverbs that simulate various environments. To turn on these environments the "Enable" box must be selected. If you are playing an EAX 1.0 or 2.0 game it should automatically select the appropriate environment as you move around the game. The environment selector can be left on "-none-". If you are playing a non-EAX enabled game, music or movies you can select an environment of your choice and adjust the level using slider corresponding to the source. If you are using the Philips Edge Series (H/W) Synth rather than the Yamaha SXG (default) then the Environment you select will also be used when playing MIDI music and the intensity will be controlled on the reverb slider on the MIDI tab. Some "Environments" such as "Concert Hall" are more appropriate for music while others like "Forsaken" were designed with specific games in mind and others like "Drugged" are for gaming and general playing around." Everything else in the "Effects" tab should be self-explanatory.	Browse Hot Topic Help What's this about RMS? Manufaturer's spec ratings after Nov. 4, 1974 5.1 Speaker Setup PowerDVD 4.0 XP DD-51 Setup DD-51 Setup Part 2 Getting 5.1 on SBLive 5.1 Getting 5.1 on GTXP 6.1 Getting 5.1 on Audigy Getting 5.1 on Santa Cruz Getting 5.1 on Acoustic Edge Calculate Peaks and Nulls