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Thread: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

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    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    quick one...just got myself a new amp and to my dismay it does not have muilti channel input....normaly ive got my pc setup around this, and all my other amps had it, however this amp does have optical and hdmi inputs...at the moment ive got it setup on the optical but ive got no way of testing it from the pc? is there some kind of program that i need to be able to test each speaker? i want to try and get my 5.1 back and im pretty sure im able to with optical right? thanks guys!
    Quote Originally Posted by TAKTAK View Post
    It was so small that mine wouldn't fit into it

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    HEXUS.social member 99Flake's Avatar
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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    It should be fine, you will need to turn on dolby digital from your computer though. I think this is done in the program that you are running, being a game or something like WinDVD.

    I can't 100% remember what it is called but I think it is AC3 to my (very forgotten and old) knowledge.

    Otherwise you will just be sending a stereo signal to the amp.

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    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    yes see thats my problem, im only sending the 2 channel signal over to the amp and cannot work it out....cant seem to find the AC3 setting anywhere!
    Quote Originally Posted by TAKTAK View Post
    It was so small that mine wouldn't fit into it

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    HEXUS.social member 99Flake's Avatar
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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    What OS are you using? I have just looked in Media Player on Windows 7 (which has built in DVD decoding) and have found options for Dolby Surround that can be turned on.

    Also what sound card are you using? I suspect that there may be settings for that if it installs proprietry software to run the card.

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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    What sound card do you have?

    On my xfi there are options in the creative control panel to select the number of speakers and whether you want to use an internal or external decoder.

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    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    im using widows 7, i had a look at the control panel again and couldnt find anything will browse WMP in a second, its just i use it for my gaming so its rather important lol. Anyway im using a realtek sound card on a msi motherboard, drivers are up to date BTW

    now something i did notice is that when i went to have a fiddle with settings the DTS when tested did put sound out through each speaker so it can do it and i do have it setup but when i press that the amp flicks over to a DTS setting, im wondering if this may have something to do with my amp?
    Quote Originally Posted by TAKTAK View Post
    It was so small that mine wouldn't fit into it

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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    No games are capable of outputing 5.1 via optical, so you're limited to 2.0 there. The same is true for most Windows apps, as they will use shared mode. You may have a Dolby Digital Live option in the shared mode listing, but this simply converts a 2.0 stream. It may be sufficient for you needs tho.

    The switching your amplifier does is due to it detecting a change from 2.0 to DTS.

    Install CCCP and configure it to output AC3 and DTS via spdif. This should allow all media players to work with 5.1 content. VLC will require configuring separately, explained here:

    http://forums.hexus.net/operating-sy...ml#post1791467

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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    As above, although I would suggest using Media Player Classic. On MPC there is an option to pass both DTS/AC3 through to your decoder/amp so you get the proper soundtrack.
    Kalniel: "Nice review Tarinder - would it be possible to get a picture of the case when the components are installed (with the side off obviously)?"
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    for all intents it seems to be the same card minus some gays name on it and a shielded cover ? with OEM added to it - GoNz0.

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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    Wow, surround sound audio is a real mess, isn't it!
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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve View Post
    Wow, surround sound audio is a real mess, isn't it!
    I agree, I don't think Dirt 2 on PC even supports surround sound - instead you've got to install its proprietary Dolby pro logic bull
    Kalniel: "Nice review Tarinder - would it be possible to get a picture of the case when the components are installed (with the side off obviously)?"
    CAT-THE-FIFTH: "The Antec 300 is a case which has an understated and clean appearance which many people like. Not everyone is into e-peen looking computers which look like a cross between the imagination of a hyperactive 10 year old and a Frog."
    TKPeters: "Off to AVForum better Deal - £20+Vat for Free Shipping @ Scan"
    for all intents it seems to be the same card minus some gays name on it and a shielded cover ? with OEM added to it - GoNz0.

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    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    oh your kidding what a load of crap......
    Quote Originally Posted by TAKTAK View Post
    It was so small that mine wouldn't fit into it

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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    Quote Originally Posted by razer121 View Post
    oh your kidding what a load of crap......
    The way to tell if a game supports DD is to look at the back of the case. I really don't know about PC games (gave up on them long ago) but all console games bar the Wii support DD and they have the logo on the back of the box.

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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    hm, so what of left 4 dead! i relied on my 5.1 to be able to survive in hard mode......oh dear well if the game lets me set it up surly it can support it?
    Quote Originally Posted by TAKTAK View Post
    It was so small that mine wouldn't fit into it

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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    Quote Originally Posted by 99Flake View Post
    The way to tell if a game supports DD is to look at the back of the case. I really don't know about PC games (gave up on them long ago) but all console games bar the Wii support DD and they have the logo on the back of the box.
    Bad company 2 has the DD video when you load it up but your not given an exact option to set it too DD/AC3 out, just a variety of EQ mixes.
    Kalniel: "Nice review Tarinder - would it be possible to get a picture of the case when the components are installed (with the side off obviously)?"
    CAT-THE-FIFTH: "The Antec 300 is a case which has an understated and clean appearance which many people like. Not everyone is into e-peen looking computers which look like a cross between the imagination of a hyperactive 10 year old and a Frog."
    TKPeters: "Off to AVForum better Deal - £20+Vat for Free Shipping @ Scan"
    for all intents it seems to be the same card minus some gays name on it and a shielded cover ? with OEM added to it - GoNz0.

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    HEXUS.social member 99Flake's Avatar
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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    Quote Originally Posted by Terbinator View Post
    Bad company 2 has the DD video when you load it up but your not given an exact option to set it too DD/AC3 out, just a variety of EQ mixes.
    If the logo is there then it will have the option somewhere or somehow, they can only use the Dolby Digital symbol if it is actually present to my knowledge.

    Problem is there are so many variables with PC gaming and this is why I go back to my original statement of why I gave up on it. Consoles just work.

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    stormrazer razer121's Avatar
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    Re: how to setup optical 5.1 on pc

    Quote Originally Posted by 99Flake View Post
    If the logo is there then it will have the option somewhere or somehow, they can only use the Dolby Digital symbol if it is actually present to my knowledge.

    Problem is there are so many variables with PC gaming and this is why I go back to my original statement of why I gave up on it. Consoles just work.
    really? you know im pretty sure my nfs undercover had many issues on my ps3 lol
    Quote Originally Posted by TAKTAK View Post
    It was so small that mine wouldn't fit into it

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