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    No HDMI - Audio out ports

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by moogoohk, Oct 2, 2009.

  1. moogoohk

    moogoohk Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi All,

    This is a silly question, but w/o HDMI connectivity for the M15x (which i'm VERY interested in buying BTW), how can I make use of the audio out ports on the laptop to connect to an AV receiver? They just look like headphone out ports. And why are there 2 of them?

    I guess I see that 5.1 HD audio is supported but can that really be properly outputted via headphone ports? I'm sorta a newbie when it comes to AV stuff I guess.

    Thanks,

    Jim
     
    moogoohk, Oct 2, 2009
    #1
  2. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    1/8" jacks, one is for heapdhones and the other for a micrpohone.

    Just get a 1/8" jack --> RCA adapter
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Oct 2, 2009
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  3. moogoohk

    moogoohk Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the quick reply. I guess my main question is, by establishing that connection from the 1/8" jack for headphones to my AV receiver, will that really give 5.1 surround? I guess I just have this image in my head that these are headphone jacks and would only be able to do stereo for some reason.

    Jim
     
    moogoohk, Oct 2, 2009
    #3
  4. Rengsey R. H. Jr.

    Rengsey R. H. Jr. I Never Slept

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    Jim, Most likely if it does support the 5.1 out , it is usually shared in the same headphone jack. The only different is that for 5.1 out, you have to use a mini-to toslink adaptor when connecting the optical cable from your laptop to your digital surround sound receiver.

    To find out if you have digital output to utilize the 5.1, you should check to see from the headphone jack, a red light shooting out from that jack. If there is a red light emiting , then you have digital output and able to receive digital surround.
     
    Rengsey R. H. Jr., Oct 2, 2009
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  5. Marvie100

    Marvie100 On a Mission

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    Display Port is said to be able to push up to 8 channels of audio, but really what devices use Display Port for audio eh?

    But, on the tech specs page of the M15x it states:
     
    Marvie100, Oct 2, 2009
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  6. Rengsey R. H. Jr.

    Rengsey R. H. Jr. I Never Slept

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    Exactly.

    The only way that I think it will work, is do HDMI switching in the receiver using display port/ hdmi adaptor. Like running the HDMI to the receiver to receive both Audio and Video so you get sound, and at the same time HDMI out to TV for the video switching. Thats another way to get digital sound to receiver and vidteo output from receiver to TV. via HDMI.
     
    Rengsey R. H. Jr., Oct 2, 2009
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  7. moogoohk

    moogoohk Notebook Enthusiast

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    Good stuff. So basically I have 2 options then.

    For the display port, is the audio feature on the M15X enabled? I've heard previously that some devices (not necessarily laptops) only enabled video and not audio on the display port
     
    moogoohk, Oct 2, 2009
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  8. Marvie100

    Marvie100 On a Mission

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    We don't know yet, noone has one yet.
     
    Marvie100, Oct 2, 2009
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  9. moogoohk

    moogoohk Notebook Enthusiast

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    ah yes, good pt. waiting w/ great anticipation for those who get theirs soon and can advise.
     
    moogoohk, Oct 2, 2009
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