Author Topic: Wii Digital Audio?? (Read 19253 times)

raptorspike · « **on:** August 15, 2006, 02:33:58 PM »

I know that we have digital video coming in the wii with component out (can we also hope DVI???). But does anyone know if we will be having some form of audio output other than the red/white plugs? It would be nice to actually have surround sound in a game.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #1 on:** August 15, 2006, 02:39:44 PM »

We already have surroud sound in the form of Pro Logic II. Where've you been?

Louieturkey · « **Reply #2 on:** August 15, 2006, 03:01:29 PM »

And in fact, we had surround sound in the N64 days. It just got better with Pro Logic II on the Gamecube.

Ceric · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2006, 03:19:33 PM »

Though having an optical connection means I could be even lazier when I turn on my sytem.

Jin-X · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2006, 04:07:36 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Professional 666
We already have surroud sound in the form of Pro Logic II. Where've you been?

Pro Logic II ain't digital. It's ok but it's not as good as Dolby Digital and DTS, that's for sure.

raptorspike · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2006, 06:02:45 PM »

We get simulation of surround sound. I am talking about an output that would allow developers to create a 5.1 audio track for the game and allow it to be sent to the reciever to be processed. The games only can simulate surround sound because the only audio-out we know of is RCA out. I would like to see something like an HDMI or digital coaxial.

MarioAllStar · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2006, 06:49:15 PM »

HDMI on Wii? Never happening.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2006, 07:22:29 PM »

Simulated surround sound is the phony stuff you get on 2-speaker laptops and TVs, where practically hear the same sound all around your head.

DPL2 legitimately generates distinct sounds from distinct directions radially away from the listener. This is evidenced by Rogue Leader's and Rebel Strike's circling Tie Fighter sound test, whose engine can be traced by the listener in a circling path without outputting fake/junk audio in the opposite hemisphere.

Now, DPL2 doesn't process 5.1 digital channels that are 100% independent of each other, which is what people are complaining about. DPL2 is a refined version of the classic technique that enabled color television and 2 audio channels to be transmitted on the same coax cable. "Simulation" does not apply here.

RE4, Prime2, Wind Waker, Battalion Wars, and many other games -- even supported PS2 games, use it to great effect, and i really do mean 5-point audio generation.

WalkingTheCow · « **Reply #8 on:** August 15, 2006, 09:55:37 PM »

Don't forget Eternal Darkness.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #9 on:** August 15, 2006, 10:51:01 PM »

I have no idea if it will have a digital option, all I can say is that i really hope it does. If it doesn't though, Pro Logic 2 will be fine, just like 480p is fine for resolution. It would be nice to have the upgrade but oh well!

hudsonhawk · « **Reply #10 on:** August 16, 2006, 06:36:40 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: raptorspike
I know that we have digital video coming in the wii with component out (can we also hope DVI???). But does anyone know if we will be having some form of audio output other than the red/white plugs? It would be nice to actually have surround sound in a game.

I'm pretty sure they said it's DPLII only which is kind of sucky.

By the way, component video isn't digital, it's analog.

Athrun Zala · « **Reply #11 on:** August 16, 2006, 08:12:03 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: raptorspike
I am talking about an output that would allow developers to create a 5.1 audio track for the game and allow it to be sent to the reciever to be processed.

you know, THAT IS DPLII......

Pale · « **Reply #12 on:** August 16, 2006, 08:27:55 AM »

Why can't people take the time to research a topic before commenting on it? This obviously isn't pointed at everyone in this thread.

I've had people make the statement to me that they bought a PS2 because it supports dolby digital. Then, when I see their setup, I notice that they are just using their TV's speakers.

Come on people.

raptorspike · « **Reply #13 on:** August 16, 2006, 08:37:00 AM »

Before someone regurgitates the DPLII arguement, let me clarify my stance. I am simplying hoping for an output that supports a 5.1 signal. DPLII isn't an output on the devices. It is a form of audio. I am talking about a digital output that sends the information via a cable to the reciever. Last time I checked, I have never seen a DPLII cable!

Pale · « **Reply #14 on:** August 16, 2006, 08:50:06 AM »

Your best hope for a digital audio out is the DVD playback capabilities of Wii. I don't think Nintendo really cares if their games can support Dolby Digital, as most developers don't care.

Pale · « **Reply #15 on:** August 16, 2006, 08:52:43 AM »

Also, according to IGN...

http://wii.ign.com/articles/709/709823p1.html

Athrun Zala · « **Reply #16 on:** August 16, 2006, 09:25:40 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: raptorspike
Before someone regurgitates the DPLII arguement, let me clarify my stance. I am simplying hoping for an output that supports a 5.1 signal. DPLII isn't an output on the devices. It is a form of audio. I am talking about a digital output that sends the information via a cable to the reciever. Last time I checked, I have never seen a DPLII cable!

I have never seen a DD cable either!

seriously, you have a lot of definitons mixed up....

DD is also a form of audio, so I don't know what you mean
And I bet that the Wii won't have a DD output

well, at least not for games, you know why?

Quote
Dolby Labs webpage on: Dolby Pro Logic II
Dolby Pro Logic II also enables video game consoles to encode five-channel surround sound information into a stereo signal with virtually no impact on the console's CPU, which means all this extra audio won't slow your game down.

OHMYGOSH!! DPLI IS 5.1!! NO WAAAAAY!!![/sarcasm]

Ceric · « **Reply #17 on:** August 16, 2006, 09:34:10 AM »

Yes it is. But the sound is not as clean and the like. For most it won't matter but I wouldn't mind having the better connection because then the sound would be cleaner and more like the original samples.

hudsonhawk · « **Reply #18 on:** August 16, 2006, 09:51:52 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Athrun Zala
OHMYGOSH!! DPLI IS 5.1!! NO WAAAAAY!!![/sarcasm]

Technically it is simulated 5.1, since the channels are not discrete. Also: it sucks since it has crappy channel separation, is only on newer processors, and has limited frequency response in the surrounds.

Is DPLII cool tech? Sure, it was a great stop-gap for the last generation and it's an amazing feat of engineering.

Is it even a reasonable substitute for Dolby Digital? Not even close. I can put up with the no-HD thing - I can see where they're coming from. But omitting Dolby Digital just stinks.

31 Flavas · « **Reply #19 on:** August 16, 2006, 04:47:58 PM »

Give it a rest, the the 5 channels are discrete. Prologic 1 and earlier had matrix channels, but so does Dolby Digital ES. I know the marketing guys have done a really great job promoting and selling DD and DTS and the like, but the mystique surrounding the "DIGITAL" coax cable and optical cable really just is that, mysticism. Your standard Red and White RCA connectors deliver perfectly clean audio and DPLII is very capable.

But then again, i'm fighting against one of these "truths" so it's a losing battle from the start.

Neodymium · « **Reply #20 on:** August 16, 2006, 05:33:47 PM »

I have an HDTV, every console, etc, but I can't really imagine myself spending 500 dollars on a huge surround sound setup.. if you ask me it's a miracle Nintendo included all that Pro Logic stuff because few, few people actually have a huge setup.

Ceric · « **Reply #21 on:** August 16, 2006, 05:45:18 PM »

Really? I always found a good receiver to be an essential part of the difference between a home entertainment system and just having a good TV was the sound system. Sound tends to get understated but its essential to a truly immersive experience.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #22 on:** August 16, 2006, 06:12:10 PM »

Then don't spend $500 on a sound system. Spend $200, or even $100 on a "good enough for just myself and my dorm room setting" surround set.

The meat and potatoes of surround sound is directional audio. Your seating arrangement and your placement of the speakers is what maximizes the effect of audio immersion in a game. YOU are responsible for designing a proper sound field, not the speakers' price or wattage or how much oomf the subwoofer spits out.

You can easily see the effect of "diminishing returns" when it comes to sound system pricing. Hundreds to thousands of dollars are eventually paid to get what, a nicer range of tones most people might not hear, and a better "oomf"? Draw the line somewhere, cuz getting something better than "good enough" means spending excess $$$.

and i hope HDMI gets killed

Berto2K · « **Reply #23 on:** August 16, 2006, 06:23:37 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Professional 666
and i hope HDMI gets killed

Sounds like a winner to me!

Nile Boogie · « **Reply #24 on:** August 16, 2006, 06:24:53 PM »

It's about time for some true digital sound. With the GameCube there wasn't really a reason for a digital out becasue the samples were still compressed(more so) to fit on the smaller format. Hense the reason most multi-platform games sound better on the other systems(i.e Need for speed, prince of persia, Splinter Cell, etc). But with the hopefully larger game format on top of the fact that the Wii should also play DvD's that should be reason enough for an optical, coaxial or other digital out.

Hey the Wii-mote has a speaker on it, 5.2 anyone?

News:

Author Topic: Wii Digital Audio?? (Read 19253 times)