DDL/DTS-C's purpose without OPTICAL OUT?

[alexdeite]

Why are higher end cards that have DDL/DTS-C encoder and EAX5.0 not have optical out?! Like the X-Fi Prelude. I'm going nuts here as I though DDL/DTS-C's purpose was to encode unconpressed 5.1 sound so it can fit through optical. WTF and THANKS

BTW: I haven't checked PCIe sound cards because I don't have another slot, just PCI.

 

[alexdeite]

It seems prelude comes with something that fits in the analog thing and through that I can connect an optical cable...

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