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    Need help with 5.1 surround sound on M860TU

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by Deathwinger, Aug 31, 2008.

  1. Deathwinger

    Deathwinger Notebook Virtuoso

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    I have a Logitech 5.1 surround sound system. Before I used the PCMCIA Creative Labs Soundblaster card to utilize it, but as I understand the m860tu onboard soundcard has the ability of up to 7.1 surround sound. However, when I plug in the green/pink/black plugs into the ports, yes I do get front left and right, center and subwoofer, but it seems like the rear left and right do not have their own identity (I can hear front left in rear right when only that one is supposed to be playing).

    I was wondering if there were any special cable attachments I could get that would utilize the surround sound properly. I am not interested in the Express card version of my sound blaster card as I heard its nowhere on par with it. I would prefer to use the onboard sound if possible.
     
    Deathwinger, Aug 31, 2008
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  2. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    I only think the M860TU can do 6ch to 8ch through SPDIF (coax) only... not analog (3 plugs).

    Other Clevo models (D901C and M570RU/TU) can do the analog 3 ports.
     
    Gophn, Aug 31, 2008
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  3. Deathwinger

    Deathwinger Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hmm, alright, so what would I need to get to make this happen? Complete novice when it comes to this. :)
     
    Deathwinger, Aug 31, 2008
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  4. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    you cannot make it happen with using the on-board sound and your model of speakers.... unless if your speakers support SPDIF... which only a few Logitech speakers support (usually the expensive DTS ones).

    you have to use an expansion or external soundcard (like a Sound Blaster Express card)... with the 3 analog connections.
     
    Gophn, Aug 31, 2008
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  5. Deathwinger

    Deathwinger Notebook Virtuoso

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    Alright, thanks for the info. I'll look into the USB version of the creative card. Seems to show more promise than the express card (which, does it even come with the 5.1 surround sound attachment? The PCMCIA version did.)
     
    Deathwinger, Aug 31, 2008
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  6. A_Grounded_Pilot

    A_Grounded_Pilot Notebook Consultant

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    No; it costs an extra $35.

    http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=16&product=16741

    I've also been trying to figure out the best way to get 5.1 when I order my np8660. I'll be using a headset for gaming, so it seems like a USB 5.1 headset with an integrated sound card is the best solution for me. The only thing that worries me is the fact that I almost exclusively play Project Reality (a BF2 mod), and it uses an effects engine called EAX very heavily. Vista did away with with EAX. Apparently Creative wrote an app called ALchemy which brings EAX back to Vista, but I don't think it runs on anything but Creative cards. The solution would be to buy a Creative 5.1 USB headset, but Creative doesn't have a 5.1 USB headset. I think I'm out of luck here, unless I just run XP Pro 64.

    *scratches head*
     
    A_Grounded_Pilot, Aug 31, 2008
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  7. Deathwinger

    Deathwinger Notebook Virtuoso

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    Nah, I got to utilize the logitech I have. Right now, it seems to be doing alright on the onboard sound card with the 'matrix' option on. I guess this will suffice until I get a rational solution.
     
    Deathwinger, Aug 31, 2008
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  8. A_Grounded_Pilot

    A_Grounded_Pilot Notebook Consultant

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    Which system do you have?
     
    A_Grounded_Pilot, Aug 31, 2008
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  9. Deathwinger

    Deathwinger Notebook Virtuoso

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    Deathwinger, Aug 31, 2008
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  10. A_Grounded_Pilot

    A_Grounded_Pilot Notebook Consultant

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    Ok. The reason I asked is because I thought you might have optical input on the speaker system which would allow for true surround, but there isn't one on the X-540. Unfortunately, you're stuck with an external card (I think I am too). I've heard bad things about the express card X-Fi, and I'm considering the USB card instead. I'm kind of bummed though, because I travel on business a lot and it's just another thing to lug around, you know?
     
    A_Grounded_Pilot, Aug 31, 2008
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  11. Deathwinger

    Deathwinger Notebook Virtuoso

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    Well, the sound isn't bad. I'm just not gonna get true rear left and right sound, although the onboard card emulates it very well, its almost the same thing.

    Argh, I'm starting to sound like the nit-picky individuals.

    It's not horrible, in fact, better than I expected if the m860tu could not do the 5.1 surround sound properly. I initially thought in that case all I could use were two speakers and the subwoofer. A huge underultization for the 5.1.

    But right now I'm getting individually the front speakers, the center speaker, the woofer and the only dependant are the rear left and right.

    I think I'll hold off external sound cards until something more promising enters the horizon. :)
     
    Deathwinger, Aug 31, 2008
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  12. A_Grounded_Pilot

    A_Grounded_Pilot Notebook Consultant

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    That really does seem like the best choice right now.
     
    A_Grounded_Pilot, Aug 31, 2008
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