5.1 surround

[Andrew]

Is it possible to use a 5.1 surround system on the PC. Fancy one to improve my music listening experience, as well as movies thru the PC.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Steve Walker]

Yes, but you need a sound card which supports it.

[Andrew]

Thank you. Is there a way to check, or it it trial and error please ?

[Steve Walker]

Just have a look at the outputs on your sound card - if it's just got two phono plug jacks, one for speakers and one for mic in, you're out of luck. If it has outputs for front/rear/central speakers or an optical digital output, you're in luck. Doesn't look as if they are expensive to buy though.

[Andrew]

Sorry mate, a bit thick in techie stuff, is that on the tower bit of the PC, i think it has, two different colors.

[Steve Walker]

Yeah, usually green and pink.

[Andrew]

Got them, ta very much, now to get a decent set.

[Andy_1984]

Maybe this Andrew: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/asus-xonar-dg-5-1-channel-pci-sound-card-07908212-pdt.html

 

check you have an available pci slot

 

[chesters1]

If you mean an existing surround processor just pass the spdif or digital out from the pc to the imputs on the surround processor

Most pc's now have 7 to 1 on the mobo but i expect to get a decent sound you would need powered speakers to get the best out of it

My old system was great ,2 rear 15 inch speakers made the room shake on explosions but alas we dont live in a detached house a 100 feet from next door any more and now i dont have one speaker left the living room is far to small for decent sound

Edited February 10, 2013 by chesters1

[jimpy0]

some onboard sound cards cant do 5.1 even if it says they support it.

i run a n XFI extreme card [onboard sockets WONT do 5.1 gigabyte GA H61] and logitech X59 speakers takes a good 15 mins to set up after a rebuild, the X59's knock out some serious sound if you can lay your hands on a cheap set