M-Audio Revolution 5.1 [20/36] Explanation of surround formats

You can adjust the output level of the speaker outputs from the Control Panel’s Speaker

Setup tab, or from the Output Mixer tab. Make sure that any speakers you use near a

CRT Computer Monitor are shielded speakers. Unshielded speakers in close proximity

to your monitor may make your display become discolored in one of the corners, or

make the image appear warped. Just move the speakers further away from the

monitor to avoid damage.

Digital Output Jack

The rear panel of your Revolution has a digital connector for coaxial S/PDIF output. This

output will transmit a stereo PCM digital audio signal, or an encoded surround sound

signal such as Dolby Digital or DTS.

Connect this output to the digital input of a stereo or surround sound receiver system.

Some powered speakers have digital inputs, and may also be connected to this output.

Explanation of Surround Formats

The “surround format” generally refers to the number of speakers needed in a setup to

properly play back all the assigned audio channels.

You may run into a variety of surround formats when playing DVDs, some of which

include 2.0, 4.1, 5.1, and even 6.1 and 7.1 (not supported). This section is meant to

provide a quick explanation of the supported formats.

2.0 - This is a stereo soundtrack. It will play out of the left and right speakers.

Headphones are generally stereo or 2.0 devices.

2.1 - This is a stereo soundtrack incorporating a separate subwoofer (indicated by the

“.1”). Generally, the stereo signal (from the green output jack) connects to the subwoofer,

which only plays back the bass frequencies of the stereo soundtrack. The left and right

speakers then connect to the subwoofer (this is true of most 2.1 computer-type speaker

systems) to handle the rest of the signal. Using the Bass Management System provided

with the Revolution 5.1, a separate, or “discrete” subwoofer channel may be created by

connecting a sub directly to the orange output jack.

4.0 - This signal is the same as 4.1 (description following), only without the discrete

subwoofer channel.

4.1 - This is a Dolby Pro Logic®-encoded soundtrack, which is a 2-channel signal that can

be played back with a Dolby Pro Logic® or SRS Circle Surround II decoder. It will play back

from the left, center and right speakers with a mono signal going to the L/R surrounds. An

additional “.1” signal gets sent to the subwoofer (via the orange output jack).

5.0 - This signal is the same as 5.1 (description following), only without the discrete

subwoofer channel.

5.1 - This is how most current DVDs are released. Dolby Digital® and DTS®

soundtracks can have up to 5.1 channels. This signal plays back from the left, center,

and right speakers, plus two additional left and right surround speakers, and a