Laptop to surround 5.1 HDMI - and laptop to projector via VGA - not working together

[Hendy-sony]

I've got my dell laptop connected up to my sony surround sound 5.1 this is done via HDMI - I've also got the dell laptop connected via a VGA cable to an old hitachi projector (which doesn't have an HDMI) - I can't seem to get the 5.1 surround sound and the projector to work together. the laptop will happy sync with the projector (if the hdmi) is not connected to the surround sound and vice versa - the 5.1 surround sound works fine if the projector is also not connected to the laptop (via the VGA)

Any ideas on how I can both the 5.1 surround from the laptop and also get the projector to project the laptop images

 

[popatim]

If the only the dell is connected to the projector with a vga cable, how is sound getting to the sony surround sound system? You seemed to have left out this connection info.
Thanks.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

If the only the dell is connected to the projector with a vga cable, how is sound getting to the sony surround sound system? You seemed to have left out this connection info.
Thanks.

I've got my dell laptop connected up to my sony surround sound 5.1 this is done via HDMI

He did explain it.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

I think the problem is that the laptop might not be able to output to both VGA and HDMI at the same time. It has to be one or the other.

 

[sizzling]

Even if you do get it working that way syncing the sound with the picture might prove difficult.

 

[americanaudiophile]

Since your Sony has HDMI input it should also have HDMI output so you can use this converter:
http/www.amazon.com/HDMI-VGA-converter-Audio-Converter/dp/B003O55U8K
to feed the projector. Should be no sync issues. You don't need the audio outs in this case.