Yep, I did know that EAX wasn’t an encoding format, but thanks for making sure. What I wasn’t clear on was how those effects managed to get from game to speakers. I knew I needed an EAX compatible sound card, so the game would recognize it, but that was it.
So, if I pick up an X-fi, do I need to purchase that $5 software package you linked to or will the “free” one on the X-fi download page be enough?
BTW… thanks for the assistance here!