Creative X-Fi digital volume control. Help, I KNOW this can work!!!

[Perry001]

I have always been a fond user of multimedia keyboard/mouse controls, particularly volume control. Unfortunately, ever since I got a new audio card (Creative SB X-Fi) in order to use digital surround sound (SPDIF DTS encoding >>> amplifier), muting still works, however, volume control doesn't change anything.

Now I am aware of all the arguments that you can't change digital output volume, however, i know this CAN be done. I have done this myself in two ways, firstly, by changing the EQ level in the Creative volume mixer, and more intruigingly, by changing Creative's "What U Hear" level in the recording tab of the control panel sound controls pane.

Ideally, I would like keyboard volume controls to adjust the "What U Hear" level, however volume control only changes the default PLAYBACK device, and "What U Hear" is a RECORDING device.

So here is my Question:

How do you configure volume controls to adjust the "What U Hear" level? Alternatively, can digital volume control be achieved in another way?

I'm sure this can be done by changing a registry key associating volume +/- and default device, but no luck so far. If anyone can help or has another method for control digital volume I would be much appreciated.

PS. I am not interested in using my amp's remote for volume so please don't suggest that.

 

[fireberd]

Unless you are a programmer and can create a program to do this specific task, I don't see a way around it. The S/PDIF doesn't use the sound card or at least the parts of it that can be controlled by the usual methods.

What you are hearing in the PC speakers is being generated by the PC's sound card, after the digital section so that is two different functions.

It looks like, to me, that "you can't get there from here".

 

[Perry001]

There's got to be a registry key somewhere that associates a particular device with +/- volume control? I mean how else does the computer know which level to adjust??

 

[stormy13]

Don't forget that digital is essentially just a passthrough, and it is up to whatever is connected on the other end to control the volume.

P.S. Why use a X-Fi if you're going to use the digital connection? You lose any benefit from what is likely the better DAC on the card over what is in the receiver. Would get the same sound out of onboard using digital.

 

[Perry001]

I need the sound card as it does live 5.1 digital encoding for games and stuff - TRUST ME - I tried doing this with onboard, but all it can do is stereo.

Yes the amp does provide volume control, but there has to be some way of controlling volume from the computer, I mean even itunes can adjust the volume level, aren't there some quick keys or something for that??? even that would kinda fix my problem.