help with setting up 5.1 system via onboard sound

amorphous · 19 Jul 2012 at 11:23

so I have a 5.1 sound system going through through my on-board sound (Asrock Z77 Extreme 4) via the optical out (S/PDIF) but I cant seem to get full 5.1. sound. only the front stereo speakers work. any tips on how to sort it?

cheers

Marsman · 19 Jul 2012 at 11:56

I'm afraid you won't without buying a sound card. SPDIF (optical/coaxial) is only capable of stereo, unless the audio is encoded with Dolby Digital or DTS. DVD's for eg, have prerecorded DD and/or DTS tracks. Passing those on to be decoded would not be a problem, but majority of games do not use DD or DTS, so a real time 5.1 encoder is needed. Some motherboards have these features, but normally they are only found on the high end boards.

Can your 5.1 speaker system decode both DD and DTS? Some can only do one or the other, if it's a DVD all in one job.

amorphous · 19 Jul 2012 at 12:28

I have a set of logitech z 5500's which can decode both DD and DTS, i think the simplest way would be getting the 3 way audio cable

amorphous · 19 Jul 2012 at 12:35

actually what i just bought was a Mini Optical/TOSLINK adapter, this will solve problem i believe?

Marsman · 19 Jul 2012 at 13:03

Why did you buy a mini toslink adaptor?

I'd use the analogue 5.1 connections to your motherboard then, if you can. Will save buying a sound card, if you don't want to spend any extra money.

amorphous · 19 Jul 2012 at 15:32

right creative are ****ing me off. so on the back of the pod there are 3 ports black green and yellow like here.

http://img.presence-pc.com/dossiers/comp_logitech/connect_pod_z5500.jpg

is there a cable that connects from those three to my audio in on my pc? or am just loosing th e plot. I have a sound blaster x-.fi audigy pro lying around as well if that who kd make things easier

Marsman · 19 Jul 2012 at 16:50

Did you not get a three way 3.5mm lead with the speakers?

If you don't have one then you will need to buy a 3 x 3.5mm at both ends, or 3 separate 3.5mm to 3.5mm cables.

amorphous · 19 Jul 2012 at 18:35

would this do it? rca to rca cable

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Seri...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1342719206&sr=1-34

joeyjojo · 19 Jul 2012 at 18:39

No marsman has said it already you want to use the 6 channel direct (analogue) in. You'll need 3 mini jack to mini jack cables.

The one you link has RCA connectors.

amorphous · 19 Jul 2012 at 18:41

cheers. I'm usually pretty good with this stuff but I seem to have gone full retard this time!

Marsman · 20 Jul 2012 at 00:12

I haven't found many 3.5mm to 3.5mm cables that have three wires. You could just buy three cables similar to this one. 5m might be a bit long though.

joeyjojo · 20 Jul 2012 at 00:30

amorphous said:
cheers. I'm usually pretty good with this stuff but I seem to have gone full retard this time!

No probs

Marsman you're right they're incredibly hard to find :confused:

Three seperate might be the only way (can always tape or sheath them together with something, even cable ties).