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Greetings!
With the help of XBMC, I have started turning my Dell XPS M1530 into my media center. I figured that I haven't been using it (since buying a refurbished black Macbook) and this would be a great way to utilize the hardware.
Unfortunately, I have a problem with outputting 5.1 audio. It seems as though the only way to do it is through the HDMI. To my knowledge, my receiver does not process audio from the HDMI inputs. I don't know the exact model number; it's an Onkyo that came in a 7.1-home-theater-in-a-box.
At any rate, I have considered running the HDMI into my TV and using the digital out to go to my receiver. There are a lot of people that say TVs will only output 5.1 when it's coming from the antennae; any other sound input will be downmixed to 2 channels. I don't know if this is the case for my TV (52" Philips LCD 7000 series). I have gone into the hidden menu when I had the digital output set up and it said 5.1 while the source was my DirecTV HD receiver. I'm curious if the TV does pass the 5.1 signal through but I haven't contacted Philips for information. I will do that now, while I'm thinking of it.
In the meantime, what is a good, affordable USB sound card solution that will allow true 5.1 output through a coax or optical cable?
I came across a Zalman ZM-RSSC that does 5.1 through a mini optical jack. I actually have the cable needed to connect it -- I bought it because the Macbook apparently has that kind of hookup in its headphone jack. I almost dropped the $45 to order one but I thought it'd be worth getting some input from you guys first.
Does anyone know of a good USB sound card (preferably under $50 or $60) that will output 5.1 or 7.1?
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The Turtle Beach Audio Advantage series seems to be pretty popular. I'm personally only familiar with the SRM (which is now discontinued.
), but I believe that both the Micro and Amigo (not the pre-order II versions, where only the Micro will) support 5.1 pass-through using optical S/PDIF.
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Excellent! Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into the Turtle Beach Audio Advantage. My friend has a Turtle Beach headset for the XBOX360 that he loves. They sound like a reliable choice.
I read a review on the Zalman that said that the only way to get 5.1 output is by using the analog section. Apparently the digital out only does two channels. I feel like I saw a way to do that with the onboard sound card in my XPS M1530. I'll look further into that. I'd love the digital output, for maximum simplicity, though.
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I've been looking at the Turtle Beach stuff and am quite impressed! They're affordable and have the features that I'm looking for. I've been looking at the Micro the most because it's available and seems to output 5.1. One site said that the 5.1 output is only on Windows 2000/XP. Is this an outdated statement or would it really not output 5.1 in Vista? If it won't work in Vista then I may use the analog outs on my XPS M1530 until the Micro II becomes available.
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I was looking at this comparison chart and it says that neither the Micro nor the Amigo output 5.1.
http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/micro/comparisonchart.aspx
I've read some reviews on Amazon and people are saying that they're getting a 5.1 signal to their receivers using this unit, though. Everything on the internet is so confusing! -
I ordered the Micro last night.
I can't wait to get it so I can give it a shot.
Thanks for the suggestion, Judicator! I love the features and the price tag. Hopefully it'll do what I'm expecting. -
Thanks for the link, Snydrome! It sounds like it'll be a nice sound card.
The global EQ sounds exciting. That will sure come in handy for programs that lack user adjustable EQ sections.
USB Sound Cards with 5.1 Output
Discussion in 'Accessories' started by OpenFace, Mar 3, 2010.
