5.1 surround sound from laptop

[wildcat1337]

So i just got the sony bravia dav dz170 and am trying to get the audio from my laptop to play thru the system in 5.1.

For video im going to go hdmi to my tv. For audio, I have tried going hdmi to my tv then optical cable from my tv to the bravia but it doesn't work.. Don't i need a usb soundcard plugged into my laptop then run the optical cable from it to the bravia? Will generic sound cards do this? If so, will a 7.1 surround soundcard work my 5.1 system?

I have been looking at a couple 20/30$ ones:
http/www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Adapter-External-Digital-ICUSBAUDIO7D/dp/B002LM0U2S/ref=pd_sim_pc_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1FSJZ24R5CXX1NEJTYDH

 

[i7Baby]

TV's don't have 5.1 speaker systems fitted to them.

Plug the stereo output from the laptop (eg Headphones) into the Bravia speaker system. You might need a stereo 3.5 plug to RCA plug adapter.
The speaker system then emulates 5.1

 

[nukemaster]

If your computer happens to have optical or coaxial spdif, you should be able to get surround sound into that system.

 

[wildcat1337]

TV's don't have 5.1 speaker systems fitted to them.

Plug the stereo output from the laptop (eg Headphones) into the Bravia speaker system. You might need a stereo 3.5 plug to RCA plug adapter.
The speaker system then emulates 5.1

I thought 5.1 only goes thru optical or coaxial. I tried a 3.5m to RCA cable and only the front speakers will work

 

[i7Baby]

Like this - http/www.videoguys.com.au/Shop/p/2902/hosa-stereo-mini-1-8-3-5mm-male-to-two-rca-cable-1m-cmr203.html?gclid=CMHur-zptr4CFYeVvQodDSgAWA ?

If so, you've set the bravia up wrong. - 2.1 instead of 5.1

 

[ssddx]

it seems as if people arent actually reading your first post (that you have a laptop) or what the bravia set you mentioned is (a home theater system).

---

according to the spec sheet
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882105457

your home theater system doesnt have hdmi input unfortunately which would have been the best. since that is the case your best bet would be to use optical or coax out of your soundcard and into the rear of your home theater. since laptops dont have these connections normally i would suggest getting a usb soundcard with either optical or coax output.

this would output to your home theater then and allow you to hear sound.

---

a better option would be to return that home theater set and get one which has hdmi inputs. you can then run a hdmi cable from your laptop output to the home theater which would then send the signal through its hdmi output to the tv for video but process the audio and give you sound.

hdmi also will give you better quality audio.

 

[americanaudiophile]

When you say you tried the optical out from the TV to the HTib I guess you mean you got sound but not 5.1? If so then check the set up menu of the TV. You may be able to change the output to 5.1. Whatever it is set at change it to the other choice. That is the way it is supposed to work.

 

[nukemaster]

Not all devices and not even all users like 2 channel upmixed to 5.1.

Even getting a USB sound card and running optical may not give you 5.1 on all content. Some cards will have options to upmix, while others will not. The upmix quality varies greatly as well. For a card that does NOT upmix, some programs have built in options to do it for you. Windows has a basic Speaker Fill option on many cards as well.

 

[wildcat1337]

still trying to find a usb sound card that will get me true 5.1...

 

[ssddx]

any usb soundcard which supports dolby digital live should get you 5.1 over optical perfectly fine.

 

[i7Baby]

A 7.1 sound card will work. You just don't use one of its ports. Read the manual.