Best way to get sound from computer to AV system??

[ProfJohn]

Ok, I bought a Dell inspiron 530 and now I want to get sound from it to my yamaha receiver so I can play games on the HD tv.

What is the best way to do this?

I tried a Dynex DX-SC51 card from bestbuy, it's cheap and has an optical output, but I can't get it to work right with the 5.1 out put.

I downloaded the Envy 24 drivers like many on the net suggested and still can't get it to work right.

So the questions are:
Any thoughts on getting this card to work right with vista?

If not then what IS the best way to get sound from the PC to the AV system?
I can do the audio jack from the PC to the yamaha, but that would only get me stereo and not 5.1 right?

Any thoughts before I go crazy...

 

[PurdueRy]

When you say "not work right" what do you mean? What are you using to test the 5.1 capability.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Does this help clear up some of the issues for gaming?
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=1940133&enterthread=y

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
When you say "not work right" what do you mean? What are you using to test the 5.1 capability.

I can get 5.1 via the control pannel 'test' option.

But when I try to play a movie via VLC and selection the optical output I get some strange static sounds along with the regular sound.

Sadly the DVD encoder that comes with the machine seems to be limited to 2 channel sound.

ANy idea of what I can do to fix this as well?

BTW I'll have to re-read that thread Yo linked to tomorrow when I am awake

But based on a quick read... I only want to play games on the big screen AV system and make lots of noise while I do it so seems that the card I bought isn't what I need to do the job, correct? Guess I'll take the card back and be happy with 2.1 since I don't want to spend a lot of money on a fancy card. (spent less than $30 on the card)

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
When you say "not work right" what do you mean? What are you using to test the 5.1 capability.

I can get 5.1 via the control pannel 'test' option.

But when I try to play a movie via VLC and selection the optical output I get some strange static sounds along with the regular sound.

Sadly the DVD encoder that comes with the machine seems to be limited to 2 channel sound.

ANy idea of what I can do to fix this as well?

BTW I'll have to re-read that thread Yo linked to tomorrow when I am awake

But based on a quick read... I only want to play games on the big screen AV system and make lots of noise while I do it so seems that the card I bought isn't what I need to do the job, correct? Guess I'll take the card back and be happy with 2.1 since I don't want to spend a lot of money on a fancy card. (spent less than $30 on the card)

VLC is kinda weird with digital out. Here is what you need to do:

1. Settings-> Preferences -> Use S/PDIF when available

2. Click on advanced options in the bottom right.

3. Expand audio

4. Select output modules

5. Select Win32 waveOut extension output.

6. Click save

7. Close the program.

8. Reopen the program and the program should pass 5.1 sound. Make sure you have the sound card drivers set to pass a SPDIF signal without decoding it.

 

[ProfJohn]

Ok, I am making progress here.

Figured out how to get power DVD to pass the sound via the SPDIF so now I get 5.1 when playing a dvd.

Just have to read the link from Yo and go from there.

 

[andrei3333]

do you have a digital output on the motherboard ? if so youre in luck

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Does this help clear up some of the issues for gaming?
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=1940133&enterthread=y

That helps a lot

Need to take back cheap card to BestBuy since the optical is only good for movies, have a DVD player for that.

And pick up 2 more mini jacks to RCA things and I am good to go

Any idea if most games will provide 5.1 without a special card?

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Does this help clear up some of the issues for gaming?
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=1940133&enterthread=y

That helps a lot

Need to take back cheap card to BestBuy since the optical is only good for movies, have a DVD player for that.

And pick up 2 more mini jacks to RCA things and I am good to go

Any idea if most games will provide 5.1 without a special card?

Thanks for the help guys.

You don't need a special card provided that your mobo supports 5/6/7.1 sound.