How to connect my Dell XPS 8900 to my 5.1 receiver

roguewarrior

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Jul 25, 2007
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Hello,

I just got an XPS 8900 - which sadly does NOT have a S/PDIF connector on it. What it does have is:

Realtek ALC3861 7.1 integrated audio
Gray = Middle surround out
Black = Rear surround out
Orange = Subwoofer and center out
Pink = Microphone
Green = Stereo out, Front Speakers, Headphones
Blue = Stereo Line in

You can see more here at the SPEC PDF: http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_xps_desktop/xps-8900-desktop_reference%20guide_en-us.pdf

My receiver does not support HDMI (it is old school sorry) - just component video and audio. Anyway, my question is - I can either buy an Asus audio card to get back my SPDIF connection or I can connect the receiver using the cables.

First question is - for 5.1 Surround sound which of the 6 do I use? Also, if I use these connectors and not S/PDIF as I have been using for sometime now, on my older computer - will I still be getting Dolby-DTS and all the other goodies I have been getting with my SPDIF connections?

Thanks!
 
Solution
you may want to show us a photo of the rear of your receiver (or just google your model number and link to an image of yours)

component video only includes a red+white cable for audio (2.0) if i recall.

spdif optical can be 2.0 or 5.1 depending on support of both devices. see if your optical jack on your receiver supports surround sound with DTS or similar.
you may want to show us a photo of the rear of your receiver (or just google your model number and link to an image of yours)

component video only includes a red+white cable for audio (2.0) if i recall.

spdif optical can be 2.0 or 5.1 depending on support of both devices. see if your optical jack on your receiver supports surround sound with DTS or similar.
 
Solution