Bandwidth changed to 16 bit (from 24) with 5.1 Creative

**FreoHeaveho** · 10-28-2006, 09:06 AM

I thought USB 2.0 was supposed to be able to handle simple playback of 24-bit sound. I have a SB Live 24-bit External card. If I set the speaker config to 4.1 I can use 24-bit but if I set it to 5.1 which is what I HAVE it gives me an insufficient USB bandwidth error and puts it down to 16-bit. Whats the deal?

I have usb 2.0 card PCI and SP2. Any help would be great?

Kovac · 10-30-2006, 03:42 PM

USB is not good enough for surround in 24 bit.
24 bits samples are 256 times bigger then 16 bit ones.
But most of music and sound in movies and games are 16 bit only anyway.
I actually ahve not heard of a format that would be both surround and 24 bit.
16 bit: A single sample consists of 2^16 data = 65,536
24 bit: A single sample consists of 2^24 data = 16,777,216

**FreoHeaveho** · 10-31-2006, 11:24 AM

I don't get it, why would they have a USB 24 bit external sound card that can connect by USB if you cannot get 24 bit? There are other connections on the card, including DIN, does that stand for Digital IN, and how can I use it, bit confused now.

Kovac · 11-02-2006, 11:18 AM

24 bit there is just for stereo there I suppose.
I do not know of any surround formats that are 24 bit.

ebackhus · 11-02-2006, 12:55 PM

It's exactly as Kovac has explained. The only time most people would use 24-bit audio is with mastering recording and other high-end applications. VERY few general applications and games use anything beyond 16-bit, and some still stick with 8. If you are serious about having true 24-bit audio I'd suggest just getting a PCI card. I bought one used for $6USD that works superbly.

**FreoHeaveho** · 11-04-2006, 04:36 PM

I apprecitate the information guys, but why would Creative have a USB 24bit sound card, that cant perform at 24bit??? What is the point?

**FreoHeaveho** · 11-06-2006, 12:35 PM

bump, more info anyone? I have 6 or so USB ports, does the amount of devices make a difference. No disrespect to the guys who are helping, but i just cannot seem to accept that as the final verdice. Cheers

**jnob** · 11-10-2006, 04:55 PM

The point is that the USB card does play 24-bit sound when in 4.1 mode you said so yourself. It just does not play 24-bit in 5.1. If you still are not satisfied contact Creative.

10-28-2006, 09:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,213 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	Bandwidth changed to 16 bit (from 24) with 5.1 Creative I thought USB 2.0 was supposed to be able to handle simple playback of 24-bit sound. I have a SB Live 24-bit External card. If I set the speaker config to 4.1 I can use 24-bit but if I set it to 5.1 which is what I HAVE it gives me an insufficient USB bandwidth error and puts it down to 16-bit. Whats the deal? I have usb 2.0 card PCI and SP2. Any help would be great?

11-02-2006, 12:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,278 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	It's exactly as Kovac has explained. The only time most people would use 24-bit audio is with mastering recording and other high-end applications. VERY few general applications and games use anything beyond 16-bit, and some still stick with 8. If you are serious about having true 24-bit audio I'd suggest just getting a PCI card. I bought one used for $6USD that works superbly. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

11-10-2006, 04:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
jnob TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Valley Posts: 692 OS: XP Pro, SP2 My System	The point is that the USB card does play 24-bit sound when in 4.1 mode you said so yourself. It just does not play 24-bit in 5.1. If you still are not satisfied contact Creative. __________________ Everest Memtest86

10-30-2006, 03:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kovac Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 32 OS: xp	USB is not good enough for surround in 24 bit. 24 bits samples are 256 times bigger then 16 bit ones. But most of music and sound in movies and games are 16 bit only anyway. I actually ahve not heard of a format that would be both surround and 24 bit. 16 bit: A single sample consists of 2^16 data = 65,536 24 bit: A single sample consists of 2^24 data = 16,777,216

10-31-2006, 11:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,213 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	I don't get it, why would they have a USB 24 bit external sound card that can connect by USB if you cannot get 24 bit? There are other connections on the card, including DIN, does that stand for Digital IN, and how can I use it, bit confused now.

11-02-2006, 11:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kovac Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 32 OS: xp	24 bit there is just for stereo there I suppose. I do not know of any surround formats that are 24 bit.

11-04-2006, 04:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,213 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	I apprecitate the information guys, but why would Creative have a USB 24bit sound card, that cant perform at 24bit??? What is the point?

11-06-2006, 12:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,213 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	bump, more info anyone? I have 6 or so USB ports, does the amount of devices make a difference. No disrespect to the guys who are helping, but i just cannot seem to accept that as the final verdice. Cheers