[Resolved] Surround Sound Setup - PC Help Forum - Free Computer Help, Windows, Hardware, Software and more!

AdamVGR · #1 02-29-2008

Hi

I've just hooked up my surround system to my TV and it seems to work fine for Cable, 360, PS3 and Wii but PC is a little weird, the noise only comes out of the middle speaker. Any ideas how I can get it to go out of the others? I do have Realtek sound card and its updated to the latest driver.

Any help appreciated, thanks.

Wadd · #2 02-29-2008

Hello Adam,

What kind of cable are you using for your surround sound to your PC? Did you just use a single mini jack? 5 mini jacks? Or do you have an optical cable?

AdamVGR · #3 02-29-2008

It's connected to my TV rather than my PC, its attached via a red and white cable from the speaker into the TV.

Wadd · #4 02-29-2008

Ok Adam, that is your problem. You have it connected as a stereo sound setup.

Red and white cables are 2 channels....left and right. If you want to hook your computer up to a surround sound receiver, you are going to need to buy a sound card with an optical output and have a receiver with an optical input. Then you will attach the sound card to the receiver via an optical cable. That will give you all the channels of audio you need.

Hope that helps!

AdamVGR · #5 02-29-2008

Hm..that sounds more trouble than its worth lol.

Wadd · #6 03-01-2008

It's not really. If your receiver has an optical input (which most do if it's newer than say 8 years), than all you need is a new sound card with an optical output.

Here is a really cheap card that has it - Newegg.com - PPA 1431v 6 Channels 16-bit PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

Here is another card that is a bit more expensive and has many more reviews, but some of the reviews seem to indicate there may be some trouble installing drivers for it and you might have to do some hunting for different drivers - Customer Reviews Of Turtle Beach RIVIERA 5.1 Channels 24-bit 48KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

That was just looking at Newegg.com. I'm sure if you do some searching around, you can find many other cards with an optical output.

Once you install the sound card (you can even find USB external ones with optical out for even easier installation), all you have to do is plug one single optical cable from the sound card to the receiver, then tell your sound card software to play sound through the optical jack rather than the headphone jack. Some cards may even auto sense which output to use.

If you try that first card I showed you, you're looking at a whopping 15 bucks. Not really a big cost for a fun project.

AdamVGR · #7 03-07-2008

So something like this would do the trick?

Wadd · #8 03-07-2008

It looks like it Adam, however, that item looks a bit dodgy. There is no brand name listed or model number so I can look at actual specs. And the specs they list seem a bit weird. It doesn't just say...optical output that supports 5.1 surround sound dolby digital or something like that.

I would ask those people for a brand and model number and see if you can perhaps find any reviews online and look at a real spec sheet.

AdamVGR · #9 03-07-2008

Ok I think I will leave that then, but I would rather get a USB external sound card. Is there any type you know of that are really good but affordable?

Wadd · #10 03-07-2008

Unfortunately I don't know of any in the UK, but from Newegg, these two look like they would do the trick...

Newegg.com - Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro Virtual 5.1 Surround Sound Channels USB Interface Sound Card - Retail

Newegg.com - SIIG CE-S00022-S1 Virtual 7.1 Channels USB Interface surround sound USB audio adapter with Optical S/PDIF out - Retail

They both say virtual surround sound in the specifications, but I think that only refers to if you use just headphones. The second one says true 7.1 surround sound if you use DVD and 7.1 speakers. You can still use 5.1 with 7.1 surround sound....I'm pretty sure.

If you were to choose one of the two, just try hunting for more info on how they work and how to set them up. It should be as easy as installing the drivers on your computer, then connecting an optical cable from the sound adapter to your receiver.

Maybe ask the company what they mean by virtual surround sound? I did some research and it looks like that only refers to emulated surround sound if you are only using two channels. It should work normally with DVD movies and passed through a receiver.

AdamVGR · #11 04-11-2008

I did notice that my sound card has some digital inputs which are black and orange, they are labelled S/PDIF-Out and S/PDIF-In. Any idea if I would be able to successfully connect that to my amp or subwoofer with whatever cable is required (any help on what that cable is would also help a great deal) until then I'm stuck with my headphones.