5. Decoder-Drivers, Continued

The mixing console has the usual choices, except that choosing one input deactivates the others, since there's only one physical input. So mixing isn't possible - but it's hard to expect that from a card of this type.

The Creative mixing board has extended possibilities, but you can only use one physical input at a time, since there is only one...

As for managing your speaker outputs, there are several possibilities for configuration, from stereo to 7.1. Among the most interesting applets is for THX calibration, with which you can choose the exact configuration you want and to make adjustments according to where your speakers are placed in a room.

The THX calibration applet is a very effective tool for improving your system's surround-sound performance.

The THX console also lets you choose your configuration and check for proper operation of the different speakers.

The CMSS (Creative Multi-Speaker Surround) system has a new mode in addition to Modes 1 and 2. Called Stereo Surround, it allows for upmixing a stereo source for multi-channel distribution.

CMSS has a new mode for distributing sound to all your speakers.