Asus Xonar DG manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    Xonar DG PCI 5.1 & Headphone Amp Audio Card User manual[...]

  • Page 2

    ii E7802 Second Edition (V2) October 2012 Copyright © 2012 ASUST eK Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the [...]

  • Page 3

    iii Contents Notices ......................................................................................................... iv Safety information ....................................................................................... v T rademarks ...................................................................................................[...]

  • Page 4

    iv Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has b[...]

  • Page 5

    v This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products. Safety information • Before installing the device on a motherboard, carefully read all the manuals that came with the package. •  ?[...]

  • Page 6

    vi[...]

  • Page 7

    1 ASUS Xonar DG 1. Introduction 1.1 Package contents • ASUS Xonar DG PCI audio card   • Support CD x1 • Quick Start Guide x1 1.2 System requirements • One PCI 2.2 (or higher) compatible slot for the audio card • Microsoft ® Windows ® 7 (32/64bit) / Vista (32/64bit) / X[...]

  • Page 8

    2 ASUS Xonar DG 1.3 Specications summary (continued on the next page) Items Description Audio Performance Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 105dB for 5.1CH 100dB for Headphone-out@150ohm loading Input Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 103dB Output T otal Harmonic [...]

  • Page 9

    3 ASUS Xonar DG *Specications are subject to change without notice. Other Effects  3D Gaming Sound Engines/APIs 7: DirectSound3D ® GX 2.5, EAX ® 2.0&1.0, DirectSound ® HW , DirectSound SW , A3D ® 1.0, OpenAL generic mod[...]

  • Page 10

    4 ASUS Xonar DG[...]

  • Page 11

    5 ASUS Xonar DG 2. Xonar DG card layout 1 2 3 4 5 Audio ports 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8[...]

  • Page 12

    6 ASUS Xonar DG No Item Description 1 Microphone In port Connect your external PC microphone to this 3.5mm port for   Line In port Connect analog devices like MP3 players, C[...]

  • Page 13

    7 ASUS Xonar DG 3. Installing the hardware 3.1 Installing the audio card Before you proceed with the following installation steps, it’s recommended that you disable your onboard audio device in your BIOS settings, or uninstall any other audio cards on your PC. (For BIOS setting or uninstallation of other sound cards, refer to the user manuals of [...]

  • Page 14

    8 ASUS Xonar DG 3.2 Connecting to a TV tuner card 1. If you have a traditional PCI TV tuner card on your PC, you may need to connect it to the Xonar DG card to send the tuner card’s sound to your PC speakers. 2. Secure the PCI TV tuner card and screw it into the back-panel. 3. Connect the audio output header from the TV tuner card to the Aux-In h[...]

  • Page 15

    9 ASUS Xonar DG 4. Installing software Installing the card driver Ensure that you have installed the audio card driver before installing the Xonar DG driver . Otherwise, driver installation error may occur . 1. After you have installed the Xonar DG card, turn on your computer . Windows ® automatically detects the audio card and searches for device[...]

  • Page 16

    10 ASUS Xonar DG[...]

  • Page 17

    1 1 ASUS Xonar DG 5. Connecting speakers and peripherals 5.1 Connecting digital speaker systems (Home Theater) The Xonar DG makes playback through your home theater system possible, creating an immersive and impressive cinema surround sound experience. A single digital cable connection can carry high-quality digital audio from any of your PC audio [...]

  • Page 18

    12 ASUS Xonar DG 5.2 Connecting stereo headphones 5.2.1 Connecting Stereo Headphones No Item Description 1 Front Out/Headphone Jack  drive headphones. Connect your stereo he[...]

  • Page 19

    13 ASUS Xonar DG 5.2.2 Connecting 5.1 channel Headphones 1 2 3 No Item Description 1 Front Out Connect the front-channel 3.5mm plug of your 5.1 headphone into this jack. 2 Side Surround Out Connect the surround-channel 3.5mm plug of your 5.1 headphone into this jack. 3 Center/Subwoofer Out Connect the Center/Bass-channel 3.5mm plug of your 5.1 head[...]

  • Page 20

    14 ASUS Xonar DG 5.3 Connecting Analog Speaker Systems 5.3.1 Connecting Analog Power Amplier 1 2 3 No Item Description 1 Front Out Connects to the “left front” and “right front” input ports of the  [...]

  • Page 21

    15 ASUS Xonar DG 5.3.2 Connecting 2/2.1 channel speakers No Item Description 1 Front Out/Headphone Jack Connect the 2/2.1 speaker set’s 3.5mm plug into this Front Out jack. 1 2 Speakers 2.1 Speakers 1[...]

  • Page 22

    16 ASUS Xonar DG 5.3.3 Connecting 4/4.1 Channel Speakers No Item Description 1 Front Out Connects to the Front input port of the 4/4.1 speakers with the mini-jack cable. 2 Side Surround Out Connects to the Surround input port of the 4/4.1 speakers with the mini-jack cable. 4 Speakers 4.1 Speakers 1 2 1 2[...]

  • Page 23

    17 ASUS Xonar DG 5.3.4 Connecting 5.1 Channel Speakers No Item Description 1 Front Out Connects to the Front input port of the 5.1 speakers with the mini-jack cable. 2 Side Surround Out Connects to the Surround input port of the 5.1 speakers with the mini-jack cable. 3 Center/Subwoofer Connects to the Center/Subwoofer input port of the 5.1 speakers[...]

  • Page 24

    18 ASUS Xonar DG 5.4 Connecting microphone Mic In 1 2 1 1 2 Headphone Out No Item Description 1 Microphone Input Jack Connect the microphone’s 3.5mm plug into this Mic-In jack for voice communication, recording, or karaoke. 2 Headphone Jack ?[...]

  • Page 25

    19 ASUS Xonar DG 5.5 Connecting Line-In audio sources Line In 1 No Item Description 1 Line Input Jack Connect the 3.5mm plug of the CD/MP3 Player or any other Line level analog audio sources into this Line-In jack for sound recording (See the “Mixer” section of the driver guide).[...]

  • Page 26

    20 ASUS Xonar DG[...]

  • Page 27

    21 ASUS Xonar DG 6. Xonar Audio Center 6.1 Xonar Audio Center GUI 1. After the driver installation is complete and your computer has been rebooted, you will   system tray on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Double cl[...]

  • Page 28

    22 ASUS Xonar DG No Item Description 1 Display Area This display area shows the 10-band signal meter , volume level, and the status of the Dolby/DTS technologies, EQ, and DSP modes. Note: This area just displays information, but is not used to alter settings. 2 Menu Open/Close Clicking this button will move the display area and reveal ?[...]

  • Page 29

    23 ASUS Xonar DG 6.2 Main Setting 6.2.1 Sample Rate The Sample rate determines the number of audio samples per second that the Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC) and S/PDIF digital interface will output. The ?[...]

  • Page 30

    24 ASUS Xonar DG 6.2.2 Analog Out mode No Item Description 1 Analog Out The Analog Out setting is used to match your actual speaker setting, such as headphones, 2 speakers (or 2.1), 4 speakers (or 4.1), 5.1 speakers, Front Panel Headphone and Front Panel 2 speakers (or 2.1). Xonar DG will play the channels and do the proper 3D surround sound proces[...]

  • Page 31

    25 ASUS Xonar DG 1 2 2 Speakers & 4 Speakers No Item Description 1 Analog Out The Analog Out setting is used to match your actual speaker setting, such as headphones, 2 speakers (or 2.1), 4 speakers (or 4.1), 5.1 speakers, Front Panel Headphone and Front Panel 2 speakers (or 2.1). Xonar DG will play the channels and do the proper 3D surround so[...]

  • Page 32

    26 ASUS Xonar DG No Item Description 1 Analog Out The Analog Out setting is used to match your actual speaker setting, such as headphones, 2 speakers (or 2.1), 4 speakers (or 4.1), 5.1 speakers, Front Panel Headphone and Front Panel 2 speakers (or 2.1). Xonar DG will play the channels and do the proper 3D surround sound processing accordingly . Sel[...]

  • Page 33

    27 ASUS Xonar DG 6.2.3 SPDIF Out It enables a single digital connection to carry high quality audio from your PC to digital speakers and A V Receivers. 2 No Item Description 1 S/PDIF Out enable/ disable Click this check box to enable S/PDIF output. 2 S/PDIF Output Formats/Functions PCM (Pulse Code Modulation, which is a typical raw audio data forma[...]

  • Page 34

    28 ASUS Xonar DG 6.2.4 Audio Channels (For Vista only) This setting only appears in Windows Vista. V ista will deliver the audio channels to the audio driver according to this setting, no matter what the original audio content is or how many channels they have. Therefore, you need to set this in accordance with your audio content before you play it[...]

  • Page 35

    29 ASUS Xonar DG 6.2.5 7.1 Virtual Speaker Shifter The 7.1 Virtual Speaker Shifter has the following major features: • Expanding/upmixing audio to 7.1-channel surround sound  ?[...]

  • Page 36

    30 ASUS Xonar DG 6.2.6 Dolby Headphone No Item Description 1 Dolby Headphone enable/disable T ick this checkbox to enable Dolby Headphone. Click the textbar to switch the right window to Dolby Headphone page for manual adjusting. * 7.1 Virtual Speaker Shifter and Dolby Pro-Logic IIx can be selected only when Dolby Headphone is enabled. 2 DH1 [...]

  • Page 37

    31 ASUS Xonar DG 6.3 Mixer/V olume The mixer page is designed to control the volume for playback and recording on the Xonar DG. In addition, the Xonar DG also provides a high-quality digital monitoring function for hearing the recorded audio from the speakers. 6.3.1 Playback V olume No Item Description 1 Playback volume tab Click this button to sho[...]

  • Page 38

    32 ASUS Xonar DG 6.3.2 Recording/Monitoring V olume No Item Description 1 Recording V olume T ab Click this button to show the recording volume page. 2 Left/Right balance  a[...]

  • Page 39

    33 ASUS Xonar DG 6 Monitoring button Click this button to monitor and loopback recording audio to outputs (PC speakers). Therefore, the recording volume will  audio will be mix[...]

  • Page 40

    34 ASUS Xonar DG 6.4 Effects 6.4.1 Environment Effects Environment effects can be used to create realistic listening experiences that mimic different environments. There are a total of 27 environment options, which can be applied to all 2D sound sources, like music. No Item Description 1 Default environments These four buttons activate Bathroom, Co[...]

  • Page 41

    35 ASUS Xonar DG 6.4.2 10-Band Equalizer  ?[...]

  • Page 42

    36 ASUS Xonar DG 6.5 Karaoke The Xonar DG provides powerful features for Karaoke, including Key-Shifting, V ocal Cancellation, and Microphone Echo. Microphone Echo can generate natural echo effects on your singing voice just like a karaoke machine. Key-Shifting can change the pitch of Karaoke background music, and V ocal Cancellation can reduce the[...]

  • Page 43

    37 ASUS Xonar DG The following message appears when Mic Echo is selected: This message implies that the recording device will be set according to your requirement. With Mic, you will only record audio source from microphone with ?[...]

  • Page 44

    38 ASUS Xonar DG 6.6 FlexBass FlexBass, an advanced bass management and enhancement mechanism, allows you to select each satellite speaker’s type for optimal sound performance from the ?[...]

  • Page 45

    39 ASUS Xonar DG 6.7 AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancellation) Xonar DG provides advanced Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) for best voice communication quality over your speakers. AEC technology can eliminate up-to- 40dB speaker echo return and suppress noises into your microphone for easier conversation experience. AEC is an innovative feature to make Xona[...]

  • Page 46

    40 ASUS Xonar DG No Item Description 1 AEC Click AEC function page. 2 Enable AEC Click the checkbox to enable AEC function. A alert message will pop up:  2 speakers an[...]

  • Page 47

    41 ASUS Xonar DG 0dB (Full-scale) -  -10 dB Music 1 Music 2 SVN Off SVN On T 6.8 Smart V olume Normalization    audi[...]

  • Page 48

    42 ASUS Xonar DG No Item Description 1 SVN On/Off Click this button to enable SVN. This button is outlined blue when active. 2 SVN display When SVN is enabled, “Smart V olume” will be lit up at the bottom of the volume meter and the volume meter will show the level. 3 SVN blue light When SVN is enabled, the master volume knob will be illuminate[...]

  • Page 49

    43 ASUS Xonar DG 6.9 DS3D GX and DSP Modes Xonar DG is introducing an innovative technology –DirectSound 3D Game Extensions v2.5 (DS3D GX 2.5)- to restore DirectSound 3D Hardware acceleration mode and its subsidiary EAX effects on Windows V ista for 3D games. Unlike some proprietary API like OpenAL, DS3D GX doesn’t require games to support Open[...]

  • Page 50

    44 ASUS Xonar DG No Item Description 1 GX Mode DirectSound 3D Game Extensions mode to support EAX and DirectSound 3D Hardware extensions for lots of DirectX/ DirectSound3D games on Windows 7 / Vista / XP . 2 Hi-Fi Mode This mode is set for Hi-Fidelity playback, where all effects will be cleared to keep the original digital data and analog output qu[...]

  • Page 51

    45 ASUS Xonar DG 6.10 V ocalFX V ocalFX is an innovative voice processing technology to let your voice g et into the realistic game landscape (V oiceEX) or to emulate the background scenes in online chat (ChatEX). It also allows you to change your voice pitch to disguise who you are (Magic V oice). These features dramatically increase the fun for v[...]

  • Page 52

    46 ASUS Xonar DG For 3D Games 1. Check the check box of V oiceEX and Local V oiceEX. 2. Make sure you and your team member can talk to each other in the game. For VOIP 1. Press App List 2. If you don’t see the VOIP application of yours in the list, press Add.(Make sure the Skype and MSN Messenger are the latest version) 3. Look for the applicatio[...]

  • Page 53

    47 ASUS Xonar DG 4. Y our VOIP application has been added into list. 5. Check the check box of ChatEX and Magic V oice. 6. Y ou can use ChatEX and Magic V oice when you chat online. * Click the checkbox to enable V ocalFX function, then a prompt message will pop up: This message implies the record device will be set to microphone. Make sure the GX [...]

  • Page 54

    48 ASUS Xonar DG[...]

  • Page 55

    49 ASUS Xonar DG 7. Troubleshooting and FAQs [T roubleshooting] The audio card driver could not be installed on my PC. Instructions: 1. Make sure that you have properly plugged the audio card in the PCI slot on your motherboard. 2. Check that the Windows hardware device manager has discovered a multimedia audio device. If no device is found, please[...]

  • Page 56

    50 ASUS Xonar DG I cannot hear any sound from the S/PDIF output Instructions: 1. Ensure that you have enabled S/PDIF output in the Audio Center GUI (Main page). 2. Ensure that you are connecting the correct S/PDIF output jack on the card to the decoder’s (A V receiver) S/PDIF input jack. 3. Y ou may need to select the correct input and mode of yo[...]

  • Page 57

    51 ASUS Xonar DG Q2: Why does the Xonar DG support Dolby ® Headphone? Answer:   available on a wide range of audio equipment. Xona[...]

  • Page 58

    52 ASUS Xonar DG Q7: Why can I hear and record sound from other recording devices when W ave/Digital is selected in Record on Vista? Answer: Different from Windows XP , Vista has a multiple devices/streams concept in audio ?[...]