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Appendix A – Surround Sound Playback and Recording Driver 2
Overview
With hardware revision 2 and driver version 8.0.0.3502, the Auricon 4.4
exposes additional eight-channel input and output subdevices which are
overlayed onto the existing four stereo channels, allowing 5.1 and 7.1 audio
files to be created, recorded and played back. Eight-channel audio output is
mixed with that of the corresponding stereo outputs, while captured audio
is replicated in both the 8-channel input and the stereo inputs. Separate
level and mute controls are provided for each format.
The 8-channel output subdevice is defined as a speaker endpoint, allowing
speaker locations to be assigned for the playback of 7.1 and 5.1 surround
sound.
Since Windows doesn’t assign locations for multi-channel inputs, the
8-channel input is simply defined as another line connector.
5.1 & 7.1 Driver Requirements
• Auricon 4.4 card with firmware revision 2 or later.
• Auricon 4.4 driver version 8.0.0.3502 or later.
• Windows Vista or later (the driver doesn’t support surround sound on
XP).
• The card must be configured for stereo on the driver configuration page.
• The card must have four stereo inputs (for 8-channel input) and/or four
stereo outputs (for 8-channel output). For cards set to fewer channels, an
expansion key can be purchased.
Setup
The 8-channel input and output subdevices are disabled by default, so as
not to disturb any existing applications expecting to see only four stereo
inputs and outputs on the card.
To enable them, follow this procedure:
• Right-click on the loudspeaker symbol in the bottom right and corner of
the screen and select
Playback devices
.
• Right-click on one of the existing devices and tick
Show Disabled Devices
.
A disabled playback device called Speakers (Auricon 4.4) should appear.
5.1 & 7.1 Surround Sound Playback and Recording Driver