USB to Optical Input

Basically my situation is I'm about to receive my new Sony KDL-32V4000 I'm going to connect both my laptop (hdmi out only) and xbox 360 to it via hdmi. My laptop is connect to a 5.1 surround sound. I was wondering if it is possible to connect my tv via optical out to my laptop somehow to utilise the 5.1 for my xbox 360.

I don't want to spend much money so an amplifier or the like is out of the question. I was wondering if there is a device that plugs into the usb socket that coverts to an optical in.

 

There are several output to Toslink (optical) cable solutions available, it just depends on how much you want to spend and what your available output connections are.

Below is a link to Lektropaks.com, which specializes in unique input/output solutions for A/V equipment. I've linked to the Toslink cable area, so you an browse through what they have there and see if anything interests you. Lektropaks is in the UK.

http://tinyurl.com/9bub5e

 

The easiest option is probably an optical switch connected before 'a 5.1 surround sound' to both PC and XBox.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toslink-Sel...m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1RXX20GAAKPN8G6MHKS0

 

Thank you for your replies but I don't think you understand. I don't know if you can even do it but I want to use my laptop as a sort of amp so I'll connect my tv from its optical output to my laptops usb port because my 5.1 speakers only connect to my laptop via usb and does not have any other connections.

 

I see. The short answer is no. You'd need a soundcard with 5.1 passthrough on the optical input and that would be a fair percentage of, if not more than, a kludged solution of cheap USB 5.1 analog-output soundcard + XBox + digital/analog speakers.

If it's all-HDMI, you may be best off biting the bullet and going for something like this to replace your current speaker system:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-HT-SF1300-Home-Cinema-System/dp/B001ACRP5K

 

I may not specfically get this one:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/211367227/USB_Sound_card.html
but do you think that from this I'll be able to get true dolby digital surround sound from my xbox 360 by using the optical out port on my tv

 

No.

(padding added because there's a minimum post length)

 

Are you saying 'no' for the fact that it isn't going to work at all or the fact that I will not be able to get true dolby digital surround sound?

 

You will definitely not get 5.1. You might get stereo.