Hey everyone, I'm having some confusion over trying to get true Dolby Digital Surround sound out of my new 5.1 Sony HT-SS370 speakers. I'm using the HT to connect both my pc and my xbox360 S. I'm using a computer monitor for my video, not a HDTV. My motherboard uses onboard Realtek HD Audio Manager and has onboard 7.1 capability (though I am not using pc speakers).
My motherboard (Asus M4A89GTD Pro/Usb3 Am3 890Gx):
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631&cm_re=m4a89gtd_pro%2fusb3_am3_890gx-_-13-131-631-_-Product
My Video Card (ASUS EN9600GT GeForce 9600 GT 512MB) :
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121244&cm_re=asus_en9600gt-_-14-121-244-_-Product
My HT (Sony HT-SS370 1000w black):
http/www.amazon.com/Sony-HT-SS370-Surround-Theater-System/dp/B0035ER1QE
My monitor (Asus VH232H 23'):
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236079&Tpk=vh232
Currently, I have my xbox plugged into the receiver via hdmi,
my pc audio through the mobo's S/PDIF out via optical to the receiver optical in,
my pc video through the video card to the monitor via dvi/dvi,
and HDMI from my receiver output to the monitor.
While using my pc, I only get 5.1 sound while using the A.F.D. Multi sound field. Any other sound field, such as Pro Logic, PL II Movies, PL II Music, Movie Discs, etc etc, produces only 2.1. However, the 5.1 sound on the A.F.D Multi sound field is just stereo sound being playing by all 5 surround speakers. So my problem is trying to get my pc to play true 5.1 surround sound.
I am great with computers but not very tech savvy with cabling. I've read many forums about 5.1 audio problems, but most of them deal with HDTVs, or never deal with a pc. The ones that do deal with a pc talk about having to connect the video card audio to the motherboard before being able to get 5.1 sound if the video card isn't newer and doesn't have an HDMI port.
So, to start a question off, if I wanted the simple way of getting true surround sound, would I just have to purchase a newer video card (plan on doing it anyway) and run an HDMI cable from the video card to the receiver's HDMI input, and then just have to switch the receiver's source input?
If it isn't as simple as doing that, what else do I have to do?
Another question. If I didn't buy a new video card, how would I use my 9600gt (which only has DVI and S-Video ports) to get true surround sound from my pc?
I have a friend's Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS, model # SB0350, but it does not look like any of the ones I can find, either through image search or at creative's site. All it has are six 3.5mm color coded jacks for up to 7.1 sound, but instead of a white colored jack, it is orange and doubles as digital out in the forum of mini jack (3.5mm). I've read forums about using the digital out port to achieve 5.1 surround but had to use an adapter or special cable to change the output from 3.5mm jack. I really have no idea about any of it and never had to use a sound card with previous systems or now because my mobo is great and has the onboard HD audio and 7.1 capability. So, another question. If I didn't get a new video card and if using the 9600gt to plug into the mobo isn't what I need to do, what would I need to do with this sound card, or any other sound card for that matter, to get the surround sound?
I know I have a lot of questions, and I really wish I could just find a simple answer. I can't find a single simple solution from anywhere over the internet that makes sense to me, without having to just post questions myself. It's probably a very simple thing I need to do (such as just buying a new video card with hdmi and using that), but I need need to hear all the options and if I'm right or wrong on my assumptions.
Thanks guys, hope to hear back soon. I'll provide any other info needed. Love Tom's Hardware forums Peace and Love!
P.S. I don't really know if this is the absolute correct sub-forum to post this question in, but the Home Theater forum doesn't have and categories for PC use.
My motherboard (Asus M4A89GTD Pro/Usb3 Am3 890Gx):
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631&cm_re=m4a89gtd_pro%2fusb3_am3_890gx-_-13-131-631-_-Product
My Video Card (ASUS EN9600GT GeForce 9600 GT 512MB) :
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121244&cm_re=asus_en9600gt-_-14-121-244-_-Product
My HT (Sony HT-SS370 1000w black):
http/www.amazon.com/Sony-HT-SS370-Surround-Theater-System/dp/B0035ER1QE
My monitor (Asus VH232H 23'):
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236079&Tpk=vh232
Currently, I have my xbox plugged into the receiver via hdmi,
my pc audio through the mobo's S/PDIF out via optical to the receiver optical in,
my pc video through the video card to the monitor via dvi/dvi,
and HDMI from my receiver output to the monitor.
While using my pc, I only get 5.1 sound while using the A.F.D. Multi sound field. Any other sound field, such as Pro Logic, PL II Movies, PL II Music, Movie Discs, etc etc, produces only 2.1. However, the 5.1 sound on the A.F.D Multi sound field is just stereo sound being playing by all 5 surround speakers. So my problem is trying to get my pc to play true 5.1 surround sound.
I am great with computers but not very tech savvy with cabling. I've read many forums about 5.1 audio problems, but most of them deal with HDTVs, or never deal with a pc. The ones that do deal with a pc talk about having to connect the video card audio to the motherboard before being able to get 5.1 sound if the video card isn't newer and doesn't have an HDMI port.
So, to start a question off, if I wanted the simple way of getting true surround sound, would I just have to purchase a newer video card (plan on doing it anyway) and run an HDMI cable from the video card to the receiver's HDMI input, and then just have to switch the receiver's source input?
If it isn't as simple as doing that, what else do I have to do?
Another question. If I didn't buy a new video card, how would I use my 9600gt (which only has DVI and S-Video ports) to get true surround sound from my pc?
I have a friend's Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS, model # SB0350, but it does not look like any of the ones I can find, either through image search or at creative's site. All it has are six 3.5mm color coded jacks for up to 7.1 sound, but instead of a white colored jack, it is orange and doubles as digital out in the forum of mini jack (3.5mm). I've read forums about using the digital out port to achieve 5.1 surround but had to use an adapter or special cable to change the output from 3.5mm jack. I really have no idea about any of it and never had to use a sound card with previous systems or now because my mobo is great and has the onboard HD audio and 7.1 capability. So, another question. If I didn't get a new video card and if using the 9600gt to plug into the mobo isn't what I need to do, what would I need to do with this sound card, or any other sound card for that matter, to get the surround sound?
I know I have a lot of questions, and I really wish I could just find a simple answer. I can't find a single simple solution from anywhere over the internet that makes sense to me, without having to just post questions myself. It's probably a very simple thing I need to do (such as just buying a new video card with hdmi and using that), but I need need to hear all the options and if I'm right or wrong on my assumptions.
Thanks guys, hope to hear back soon. I'll provide any other info needed. Love Tom's Hardware forums Peace and Love!
P.S. I don't really know if this is the absolute correct sub-forum to post this question in, but the Home Theater forum doesn't have and categories for PC use.
Features:
Surround Virtualizer (for built-in speakers): creates a virtualized surround sound experience over the PC’s built-in speakers or over headphones.
Volume Leveler: maintains a consistent volume across all content and applications according to where the user sets the volume level.
Volume Maximizer: boosts the level of the audio signal so users can turn up the volume without causing noise or clipping.
Graphic Equalizer: lets consumers tailor audio to their exact specifications using high-quality digital filtering.
Audio Optimizer: improves the frequency response of the PC’s built-in speakers so content sounds true to the creator’s intent.
Audio Regulator: eliminates or reduces distortion caused by the combination of overdriven speakers and amplifiers.
Features:
Dolby Home Theater v4 contains all Dolby Advanced Audio v2 features, plus:
Surround Decoder: converts stereo content into 5.1- or 7.1-channel surround sound and converts 5.1 surround sound into 7.1 surround sound.
Dialogue Enhancer: improves intelligibility of dialogue across all types of content.
Intelligent Equalizer: monitors and adjusts audio to match the user’s chosen preset.
Dolby Digital Output: provides real-time encoding of PC content into the Dolby Digital format over S/PDIF or HDMI™ outputs; users can then enjoy audio content from their PCs in surround sound on their home theater systems.
Spoiler for Baca Dulu:
- Siapkan default sound driver agan buat jaga-jaga.
- Jika sound driver agan saat ini Realtek, Uninstall dulu sebelum install Dolby.
- Install driver berdasarkan versi OS (32/64) bit.
- Sewaktu Install, pilih 'DHT (Release)' jika meng-install Home Theater. Atau pilih 'DAA (Release)' jika meng-install Advanced Audio.
Kalau install-an agan berhasil, nanti di Speaker Dolby bakal muncul di Sound. Klik kanan trus pilih sebagai Default.
Cara akses: Klik kanan Speaker Icon di Taskbar > Sound > Playback.
Kalau gak berhasil, silakan baca Troubleshoot.
Untuk pengguna Windows 8, silakan baca link Dolby Home Theater now on ThinkPad on your area di bagian Source.
- (Khusus ThinkPad)
External Speakers do not work when connected via Dockingstation.
How to fix: Connect Speakers to your ThinkPad directly. - Dolby Drivers only work when they can access the Conexant or Realtek Sound Chip. This means you either have to use the internal Speakers, the Audio Jack or HDMI/Displayport. No USB, no Bluetooth. Sound will play, but will sound terrible then.
How to fix: Not at all. All you can do is buy Headphones or external Speakers which can be connected via the Audio Jack. - Sound plays on wrong speakers. For example, even if you have external speakers connected to your ThinkPad, sound might still be played using the internal ones.
How to fix: This rarely happens, but if it does only rebooting helps so far.
Dolby Latest Surround Sound for PCs
Dolby Home Theater v4 for most Lenovo Laptops
Dolby Home Theater now on ThinkPad on your area