How do I connect my 5.1 receiver to my PC?

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Shpeckledorf

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Apr 8, 2016
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Can someone please explain how I can do this? Here is my hardware:

Receiver: Sony 1000W 5.1ch Full HD Blu-Ray Disc Home Theater System

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=SNBDVN5200W&ref=PLA_Beach&omid=103&utm_source=PLA_Beach&utm_medium=CSE&utm_item=BDV-N5200W&CAWELAID=230006090000068233&gclid=CPT_k5rMvM0CFVGAaQodrd8F6A

My motherboard is an MSI 970 Gaming

I also have an EVGA GTX 750 FTW GPU if that helps at all.

I have been using left and right channel the whole time and I didn't realize it until I did a surround sound test. My receiver only has one output for HDMI and the whole OS is on the blu ray player. I am currently connected to the L R port with a AV to 1/8 (3.5mm) jack. (AV from receiver and 3.5mm in audio port on motherboard)

Any help is greatly appreciated, the whole reason I bought this system was for my gaming rig.
 
Solution
ssddx
there are two ways for you to possibly connect with aux sources.
A) via optical input. keep in mind for 5.1 from optical both the source (pc in this case) and destination (receiver in this case) would need to support the same codecs for 5.1 otherwise you get 2.0 only.
B) via hdmi(arc) from your tv. be aware that pcs may not work right with this method since they recognize the tv as 2.0 only! other devices generally work fine if your tv supports hdmi arc as well on the jack the receiver is hooked up to.

just because your motherboard has analog 3.5mm jacks for 5.1 analog does not mean its optical jack supports 5.1. generally you will see dts-c (dts-connect) or ddl (dolby digital live) support listed or specifically it mentioning 5.1 over...
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ssddx

ssddx

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May 27, 2009
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looks like it should have two hdmi inputs on the receiver. have you tried using those?
graphics card -> receiver -> tv

just be glad the htib you bought has any decent inputs at all. some htibs are quite limited. looks like it *may* support 5.1 input from aux sources as well but i havent read the manual to be sure on that and the specs pages are always so vague.
 
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ssddx

ssddx

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May 27, 2009
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does it have any "inputs" ?

assuming here that the optical is an input not an output...

the cheaper units often lack hdmi input and sometimes even lack optical. in some cases even if they have optical they do not support 5.1 only 2.0.

look in the manual and see which jacks are inputs and what they support but i'm thinking you may be limited to 2.0. if this is the case, the best you can get is using dolby pro logic to fake 5.1. unfortunately this ends up being a common issue for people buying cheap htib sets. i see this several times a week.

if it does support 5.1 over optical, then your pc would need to as well.
 
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Shpeckledorf

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Apr 8, 2016
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It has an optical audio input that supports 5.1, and I am fairly certain my motherboard has one of those sockets. (It has an s/pdif input) My PC also does support 5.1 because the back panel of my motherboard accepts 3.5mm cables for SR, SL, C, SUB, and FL, FR inputs. My only problem is that my speakers have weird ends on them that plug into the receiver.

Other than what was previously mentioned, could I snip off the weird heads on the speakers and splice a 3.5mm cable on them and plug each speaker into the motherboard? Im sure they will have power provided to them if the motherboard has those kinds of inputs.

Speaker inputs in the back of the receiver:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/516s46781XL.jpg

Back of motherboard:

http://elchapuzasinformatico.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/MSI-970-Gaming-17-600x326.jpg

Whole back of receiver:

http://content.abt.com/image.php/2_BDVE3100.jpg?image=/images/products/BDP_Images/2_BDVE3100.jpg&canvas=1&quality=100&min_w=450&min_h=320&ck=390



Also, if I use the digital audio output, audio would be coming out of this right? And the properties show that if I have sound coming out of the device into the speakers that it would support 5.1 or Dolby Digital/DTS.

http://imgur.com/E9nbYAf
 
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ssddx

ssddx

Glorious
May 27, 2009
5,968
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there are two ways for you to possibly connect with aux sources.
A) via optical input. keep in mind for 5.1 from optical both the source (pc in this case) and destination (receiver in this case) would need to support the same codecs for 5.1 otherwise you get 2.0 only.
B) via hdmi(arc) from your tv. be aware that pcs may not work right with this method since they recognize the tv as 2.0 only! other devices generally work fine if your tv supports hdmi arc as well on the jack the receiver is hooked up to.

just because your motherboard has analog 3.5mm jacks for 5.1 analog does not mean its optical jack supports 5.1. generally you will see dts-c (dts-connect) or ddl (dolby digital live) support listed or specifically it mentioning 5.1 over optical. this is important. if it doesnt support it, a soundcard may be required.

you can not just snip the ends off. those are passive speakers and require an amplifier. no amplifier, no sound (well, if you get anything it will be so faint you can barely hear a whisper). one thing you must realize is that most pc speakers are self powered (with ac plug) so can take a low level (low power) signal. the only speakers which are not would be 2.0 low output models which do not take much power to drive and do not output much volume.

your only real option is to try and get optical working. if it doesnt, then you wont get 5.1 surround. even buying a new amplifier may be hard because htibs often use low impedance speakers while most hifi theater sets use higher impedance speakers. using one on the other can sometimes place more strain on devices causing heat and potential issues down the road.

if the receiver system is new, returning it for a more full featured setup may be ideal. for example the energy 5.1 take classic or monoprice 10565 paired up with a avr in the $150-200 range would give you far better input/output options.
 
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Solution
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Shpeckledorf

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Apr 8, 2016
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I will definitely try and get digital audio working, both machines have an input/output for it and my PC can decode DTS, so this option should work 100%. All I can really do now is try to buy the cable, I don't have any in my name.

Thanks for your help.
 
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Shpeckledorf

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Apr 8, 2016
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Can you explain what the difference is? How do I know what my PC can decode? I know my receiver can decode DTS, if not some other format of DTS like you mentioned. Very sorry for the late reply, PC issues.
 
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