optical output on motherboard.. how do I get sound working?

Robert1986 · 24 Sep 2009 at 11:56

I just noticed my motherboard has an optical output. I connected it to my 5.1 logitech speakers with the optical cable but can't figure out how to get sound working.

Any help?

Motherboard - (P5N32-E SLI PLUS)

gurusan · 24 Sep 2009 at 11:58

Go to the sound options in your control panel and make sure that the spdif out is your primary sound device.

And make sure the logitech control pod has optical selected as the source.

L0stpr0phet · 24 Sep 2009 at 12:04

should just be the option in sound control panel/software to switch it to digital out. then set logitech to recieve on the digital input.

sorry just seen gurusan posted earlier

Robert1986 · 24 Sep 2009 at 12:17

Just installed the asus on board sound drivers and got sound coming out of my speakers but only 2 of the 45 speakers.

Robert1986 · 24 Sep 2009 at 12:38

btw, the speakers I have are the Logitech Z-680. Do I also need the software for these speakers to set them up right? I couldn't find the correct software at all.

gurusan · 24 Sep 2009 at 12:41

It's been a long time since I've had a 5.1 setup but I'm pretty sure it will run in 2.1 channel mode until you watch a movie with DTS or Dolby or whatever.

or try playing a game?

Robert1986 · 24 Sep 2009 at 12:42

gurusan said:
It's been a long time since I've had a 5.1 setup but I'm pretty sure it will run in 2.1 channel mode until you watch a movie with DTS or Dolby or whatever.

or try playing a game?

I am trying to test the speakers in the sound control panel but can only get 2 channels to work.

DigitalReaper · 24 Sep 2009 at 13:13

SPDIF only supports 2 uncompressed channels. For 5.1 sound you need to compress them to fit into the same space as 2 uncompressed channels. Tracks on DVDs are already compressed in this way so all the player does is stream them to your receiver.

Theguy · 24 Sep 2009 at 14:45

DigitalReaper said:
SPDIF only supports 2 uncompressed channels. For 5.1 sound you need to compress them to fit into the same space as 2 uncompressed channels. Tracks on DVDs are already compressed in this way so all the player does is stream them to your receiver.

What he said. unless your soundcard maker (realtek) do a DD live type thing, iam not sure if they do, you would be stuck with 2 channels..