hi, i m new so bear with me

i want to use my X-fi's ac3 decoder to decode n convert to multichannel wave

possible?

Yes, it is.
You´ll need to feed the AC3 to the soundboard decoder, either thru playing it with Mediasource (Mediasource can record to 8-ch 96kHz 24 bits WAV but there´s a 2 or 4 Gb size limitation, wich is good for about only 15 minutes of this given bitdepth and frequency, so not enough for film audio tracks) or playing it with a decoder that supports SPDIF output (i.e. BSPlayer with the Soundboard as renderer and AC3Filter, or Media Player Classic wich allows also to choose the renderer).

Then you´ll need an audio app that can record thru ASIO, like Kristal Audio Engine, Audition 2.0 or Vegas 7. Sadly there´s no freeware app for this.

I have a Audigy 2 ZS and thru ASIO you record in either 8-ch 48kHz 16bits or 2-ch 96kHz 24bits, but no 8-ch 96kHz 24bits. I don´t know if the X-Fi has the same limitations.

Cheers.

right thanks...

but isnt there a way to sort of use it like besweet or a similar encoding software
cos i figured i d be able to record it but that d take just too friggin long

Nope, only thru ASIO.

ok
thank you