SPDIF or Optical on the P-6860FX?

The audio control panel says that it has a SPDIF output. Anyone actually get it working, and if so, how?

 

Nope. I asked same of Gateway. They mumbled something about no drivers to misprint in manual.

You would think they would put a web site notice to cut down on phone calls?

Nahh, not Gateway. Feel free to give them a call..

 

haven't tried yet, but this is the part for it.

http://www.amazon.com/tag/mini spdif

 

Thx, they are at RS as well. I called to verify before I bought. Their second tier tech came back and said it's a misprint in the tech section, thus nothing said in owners manual. I was curious as I read that a red laser (LED) was used but no light seen.

Anyhow I'm using an old SB-24 USB external for optical out as I already had it for my music server.

Knowing GW past tech support (enjoying my new battery ) could they have been mistaken?

 

damn, forgot all about trying to get my battery...lol

 

Ive always noticed a red light on digital outputs...my macbook had one... Haven't seen it on my 6860fx :S

Then again, Ive only tried audio out through HDMI which works pretty well.

 

same here.. my macbook shows the red light as well.

 

What's this battery that you guys are referring to?

 

Search these threads for missing battery calibration..

Some of us got a free battery which solved nothing..part of the Gateway Tech learning curve?

 

lol you still believe there is a curve ?
i reckon its a flat line just slightly above imbecility

 

lol, a thread ressurrected from the dead. Just an update, the P-6860FX (and I assume for the entire FX line) does have optical out. I'm using it to output to a DAC for my headphones and speakers right now.

 

For the optical output, does it come from the headphones? DO you need a special plug/adapter? There's no SPDIF out.

Also, I've been trying to get my HDMI sound out. I hear music from my Windows Media Player go through HDMI and into my home audio system, but Windows system sounds and sounds in games go through the laptop speakers. When I check the audio control panel, I can see that when I play music through Windows Media Player, the sound level indicator moves on the HDMI meter. However, for games and system sounds, the sound level indicator moves on the system speakers meter. Also, I can get test sounds to play through any speakers I want (either my home system or the laptop speakers).

Do I have a wrong setting somewhere?

One more thing.. how do I know if I'm entitled to a new battery?

 

The optical outputs from the headphone out. You need an adapter if you want to use a Toslink cable with it, since it's a 1/8" output jack. And for audio through HDMI, you just need to select the HDMI out as the default output in the playback devices options.

 

I believe I did select HDMI output as default but I'll check again when I go home.

As for the adapter (for Toslink), have any links to one so I can see what it looks like?

Thanks.

 

Something like this: https://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?Redir=1&description=Startech-Toslink+to+Miniplug+Adapter+F%2FM-Adapters+and+Gender+Changers&dpno=345166
When I get home, I can probably get a pic of mine for you.

 

This is strange. I set SPDIF as default. But all sound coming out of Windows Media Player comes through the HDMI while all system sounds and sounds on the Internet (eg: Youtube) comes through the SPDIF. What do I need to change on my configuration?

 

Try changing the default output option within Windows Media Player.

 

Does the SPDIF through such adapter support 5.1 surround? The HDMI, if I'm not mistaken, is only 2 channel stereo audio.

Wanting to attach laptop to home theater w/ full surround playback if possible.

 

under playback devices... do you see
speakers
digital output devices (spdif)
hdmi output devices

 

Yes, I have the following options in my Playback Devices:

Speakers
Digital Output Device (HDMI Out)
Digital Output Device (SPDIF)

I dont see exactly what port I would be using for SPDIF, I have headphone and microphone jacks only. No other audio port.

I have my laptop attached to my tv (audio & video) via HDMI, however I'm wanting for purposes of 5.1 surround attach audio through my stereo receiver. I cant remember where, but I though I read the HDMI controller only supported 2 channel audio. Does the SPDIF support full surround?

 

Have a read of this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=311121

 

im thinking that's virtual 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound.

edit: what up animal.

 

sorry to bring up this old topic...but i don't have the hdmi option in my playback devices?!?!?!

all i have is

Speakers
Digital Output Device for SPDIF....

am i missing a driver?? i want to be able to use my tv for speakers since it's better sound quality

 

right click in that spot and check show all devices...

 

Reinstall the drivers, my HDMI was missing and I reinstalled and that fixed it.

 

here are my options....


By mackdaddydmac


does anyone know where i can get drivers to correct this or is this a hardware issue??

 

did you try right click on the space under spdif and show disconnected devices ?

 

yep both disabled and disconnected are checked. gonna try some of the sigmatel drivers from gateway see if i can get one to work. this is bugging me because i want audio from my tv

 

to anyone having an issue with no hdmi output i have found the solution!!!


http://support.gateway.com/support/...dio Driver Version: 6.10.5939.0&uid=217514368

just uninstall the old sound drivers and install those ones and voila, hdmi sound

 

I think that was already suggested by blacksheep actually

 

well i had reinstalled them with the automatically downloaded drivers but those weren't the correct ones

 

I actually scared myself onetime... In complete darkness, i plugged in my headphones and a red light was emitted inside the headphone jack. I sorta freaked out and tried it again. At first I thought it was because my headphones has a gold plated connector causing some weird electrochemical reactions. I tried it on the microphone jack and didnt work. I concluded (and happy) that my laptop has an optical output. Searched this to confirm it and i ended up here.