5.1 Audio from a laptop HDMI port?

[Syringer]

If I have a laptop with an HDMI port and want to put in a DVD/blu-ray disc that has 5.1 audio support, what's the best option?

a) Laptop HDMI to 5.1 receiver, hdmi from 5.1 receiver to TV, or
b) Laptop HDMI to TV, TV digital out to receiver

Is there a difference between either scenario?

 

[zerocool84]

If I have a laptop with an HDMI port and want to put in a DVD/blu-ray disc that has 5.1 audio support, what's the best option?

a) Laptop HDMI to 5.1 receiver, hdmi from 5.1 receiver to TV, or
b) Laptop HDMI to TV, TV digital out to receiver

Is there a difference between either scenario?

Your tv digital out will be only stereo so go to receiver.

 

[Syringer]

Actually the TV has an optical out-that'll still only be stereo?

Edit: That looks to be the case as well!

 

[sivart]

Actually the TV has an optical out-that'll still only be stereo?

Edit: That looks to be the case as well!

Most of the optical outs on TV's are for the TV Tuner Only.

#1 is your best option (and only option if the laptop doesn't have optical out and you want more than stereo sound)

 

[alcoholbob]

...this is assuming your laptop has a VGA chipset that supports multichannel pcm through the hdmi port.

 

[Syringer]

...this is assuming your laptop has a VGA chipset that supports multichannel pcm through the hdmi port.

How can I tell this?

 

[schmunk]

I run my HTPC like your example b) Laptop HDMI to TV, TV digital out to receiver. I have a DVI to HDMI cable that runs the sound to the TV, then have an optical out going to the reciever. This insures that the picture and sound are in sync, with a lot of equipment when you split the sound off first, you get a mismatch between the two. (I mean when you have sound going straigt to reciever and video going straigt to TV)
Your second question on how to tell is easy, hook up HDMI from laptop to TV and if you hear sound on your TV, then it does. Also, your reciever should tell you if you are recieving 5.1 like my Onkyo does. My TV is a Samsung LCD.

 

[0roo0roo]

i think tv optical out transmits stereo from hdmi, and 5.1 dolby from broadcast.

else how are you going to get 5.1 from broadcast😉

 

[schmunk]

i think tv optical out transmits stereo from hdmi, and 5.1 dolby from broadcast.

else how are you going to get 5.1 from broadcast😉

Not sure what you mean. I have a Hauppage 2250 cable tunner card in my HTPC. The card tuner gets HD cable through the QAM signal from comcast (Non encrypted high def local channels). From my SPDIF header on my motherboard, i connect a cable that goes to my 9600GSO card to bring in the audio. It then leaves through a DVI to HDMI cord and plugs into my Samsung TV. I have the TV settings to use external audio system so my TV speakers dont make sound, and I have an optical cable going from my TV's optical out, to my 5.1 Onkyo receiver. When I turn on the TV, the stereo says 5.1 Dolby. It also works when I play blue rays, and I have that set to send out 5.1 dts, and that too travels through my TV via HDMI to the optical back to the receiver.

 

[Bryf50]

Not sure what you mean. I have a Hauppage 2250 cable tunner card in my HTPC. The card tuner gets HD cable through the QAM signal from comcast (Non encrypted high def local channels). From my SPDIF header on my motherboard, i connect a cable that goes to my 9600GSO card to bring in the audio. It then leaves through a DVI to HDMI cord and plugs into my Samsung TV. I have the TV settings to use external audio system so my TV speakers dont make sound, and I have an optical cable going from my TV's optical out, to my 5.1 Onkyo receiver. When I turn on the TV, the stereo says 5.1 Dolby. It also works when I play blue rays, and I have that set to send out 5.1 dts, and that too travels through my TV via HDMI to the optical back to the receiver.

What he said is true for many TV's, apparently yours isn't one of them.