need inf on soundblaster valu card

[dtp]

Could anyone let me know the difference (if there is any) between the Creative Soundblaster Live 5.1 and the Soundblaster Live Valu cards.The reason I asked is that I have a Dell that reads on the spec sheet for it that it shipped with a Soundblaster valu card in it.Ive checked the Creative web site and can find drivers for both cards but cannot find on there anywhere the specs for the valu card anywhere just the 5.1 card.I recently added some 5.1 speakers to my system and in my creative mixer program under the speaker settings I have settings for 2-4-or Live Sourround,it sounds good with music on the 4 speaker setting I havnt tried it with a DVD movie ( my DVD player went kaploop on me before I could try them) I would like to know if on the LIve Surround setting I will get the full 5.1 surround effect from the DVD movies when I get the DVD player up and running or does this card only give out a simulated surround sound.Thanks in advance.

 

[jclw]

Live! Value will give you 4 channel sound
Live! 5.1 will give you 5.1 sound

*Dual PIII-800 @900 i440BX and Tualeron 1.2 @1.7 i815*

 

[dtp]

Thanks for the post I really appreciate it looks like I will need to update the sound card later to get some good use out of these 5.1 speakers I just bought.Thinking about going with the Audigy2 ZS $83.00 from Newegg, but I also see the Audigy ES on there for $41.00 both 24 bit but the Audigy2 ZS is THX certified, also has a few other bells and whistles firewire ect.. , is there that much of a difference in the 2 for the money oh ya also you get some free games with the ZS but right now Im interested in the quality of sound,and also saving a few bucks,but if theres that much difference in the quality of the cards I don't mind spending the money.

 

[jclw]

I have 4.1 speakers on an Audigy, and 5.1 speakers on an Audigy 2 ZS. To tell you the truth the 4.1 speakers sound just as good to me as the 5.1s

If the Live! value is working for you, I'd just keep it and use the speakers in 4.1 mode.

If you really want better sounding sound, personally I'd splurge for the A2 ZS.

What kind of speakers do you have?

*Dual PIII-800 @900 i440BX and Tualeron 1.2 @1.7 i815*

 

[dtp]

Logitech Z640s there not top line but they do sound pretty good alot better then my 2.1 Harmon Kardons I did have I mainly bought them for the move up in sound quality and figured as long as I was getting some I would buy a set of 5.1 they sound real good in the 4 speaker mode playng music and I dont really play alot of games yet but would like to have the 5.1 working when I do play the games.

 

[jclw]

I have the Z640s as well.

Just use the matrix mode and it'll upmix it to 5.1 from 4.1

*Dual PIII-800 @900 i440BX and Tualeron 1.2 @1.7 i815*

 

[dtp]

Yes that will work but to put them to the real surround test I will either have to wait for my new DVD player or new game that supports it.I think I will replace the sound card anyway at least up to a 24 bit card from the reviews I've read on Newegg and else where ,there is quit a difference in sound quality.