M1330 5.1 Audio Out

Hello all, my question is this:

I want to connect my XPS M1330 to a Logitech Z-5500 5.1 surround system. To make the M1330 work as a source with analog 5.1 output, can I just connect a 3.5mm cable from the first audio out port on the laptop, and then change the settings in Windows sound to 5.1 output?

Thanks.

 

Unfortunately not. A 3.5mm cable can carry a maximum of two channels (stereo).

You need three 3.5mm cables -> for 5.1 sound.

If you have 3 jacks (for headphone or whatever), you can [usually] reassign the three jacks for the 3 different 5.1 hookups (front, center/bass, rear).

Do you have optical or coaxial out? Those can carry 5.1 in a single cable. But a 3.5mm cable can only carry stereo.

~Ibrahim~

P.S. I have those speakers, too. Love 'em.

 

My XPS m1330 laptop has 2 headphone jacks, and a microphone jack. I believe this configuration is the same as the Studio XPS 16. It does not have optical or coax out.

 

The Studio XPS can be configured so that the microphone jack becomes an output, and you get your 3 x 2 channel outputs you need, and I can't imagine the XPS m1330 is any different. Plug something into the mic in and it should give you an option what to assign it to, and it will probably give you the options of mic, line in or a set of speakers. If it does give you the option of a set of speakers, then you're in luck.

 

I got the speakers last night and connected it. I used three 3.5mm cables to connect to the laptop. The first one went from the front speakers input on the Z-5500 to the first line out port on the laptop, the second cable went from the center/sub input on the Z-5500 to the second line out port on the laptop, and the third cable went from the Rear Speaker Input on the Z-5500 to the mic input on the laptop.

I had to download HD audio drivers for my laptop to give me access to software for configuring the speakers connected to 5.1 rather than just stereo.