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    m15x 5.1 Speaker System - Optical connection?

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Svarto, Jul 19, 2009.

  1. Svarto

    Svarto Notebook Consultant

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    Hello,

    I just got off the phone with the Alienware Tech Support and as the sceptic I just wanted to get this confirmed.

    I am buying a 5.1 surround sound system (Logitech Z-5450) and I have been researching how to connect this to my computer. I first thought about express cards, usb sound cards etc. But then I checked up on my m15x specs and i says that my onboard card should support up to 7.1 systems.

    I called the tech support up and they said that the standard headphone jack on the m15x (the one right next to the microphone jack, the 3.5 mm input) is also a optical input, so basically you can stick an optical cable into it and it should after some software tweaks be able to transmit optical audio.

    I think they meant a cable such as this one http://www.stsi.net/storefrontprofiles/DeluxeSFItemDetail.aspx?sfid=104074&c=664207&i=151204666

    apparently this can be found in MacbookPro?

    Has anyone else heard of this or have anyone tried it if it works?

    Thanks for any help!
     
    Svarto, Jul 19, 2009
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  2. Marvie100

    Marvie100 On a Mission

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    Umm Perhaps they were thinking M17? M17 has an optical TOSLink jack, but the m15x has only an auto-sensing audio jack (autosensing meaning it can detect when its connected).
     
    Marvie100, Jul 19, 2009
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  3. Billdozed

    Billdozed Notebook Geek

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    Check with your computers documentation just to verify that your port can handle optical. It's pretty common, I have an old Audigy card that has an optical out but is also the headphone port.

    I never purchased the cable used for optical out for that port but if I was going to it would look just like you posted. Looks like stereo mini on one end and toslink on the other.

    Oh and get the z-5500, i know they are older but I know of many issues with static with logitech's wireless speakers. z-5500's still the best imo.
     
    Billdozed, Jul 19, 2009
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  4. Marvie100

    Marvie100 On a Mission

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    Right of the page you linked.
     
    Marvie100, Jul 19, 2009
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  5. Billdozed

    Billdozed Notebook Geek

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    All that is saying is that its not meant for a headphone jack that only transmits analog like an mp3 player headphone out. It is for an optical mini jack, which is what he is buying it for.
     
    Billdozed, Jul 19, 2009
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  6. Svarto

    Svarto Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry for taking your time, I actually found the answer after searching the forum for awhile. There is apparently a guy that uses a z5500 and he has a toslink 3.5mm optical cable for the speakers. If anyone is interested the link to the thread it here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=281282

    Thank you for speedy responses!
     
    Svarto, Jul 19, 2009
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