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    Outputting 5.1 Audio NOT via HDMI and converting to TOSlink (SPDIF)?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by frodbonzi, Oct 15, 2014.

  1. frodbonzi

    frodbonzi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey everyone,

    Recently purchased an Alienware 18 and was wondering if it was possible to get 5.1 sound...

    The flaw is, I have a rather old 5.1 system, and the only input capable of receiving 5.1 sound is via those weird TOSlink cables... I actually have an HDMI / SPDIF splitter ( Viewhd Premium Hdmi TO Hdmi Spdif RCA L R Audio Extractor Converter 2013 | eBay --> that's what I have), but the laptop detects that as only being capable of receiving 2 channels... PLUS, the Alienware detects it as a display (since it's HDMI, and doesn't let me output video properly via my display port - which is also connected to a projector! :()

    I've heard that there is a way to output 5.1 sound from the mic port or headsets.... is there any way to convert that to TOSlink? Or anyone have any other suggestions?

    Thanks in advance!
     
    frodbonzi, Oct 15, 2014
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  2. frodbonzi

    frodbonzi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Anyone? Wondering if mini-TOSlink is an option?
     
    frodbonzi, Oct 19, 2014
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  3. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Sorry, but it appears nobody knows how to do this, or if it can actually be done effectively. Perhaps nobody else has needed to do what you are attempting to accomplish with converting the signal to TOSlink. If you can find a solution, please come back and share it in this thread.
     
    Mr. Fox, Oct 21, 2014
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  4. ssj92

    ssj92 Neutron Star

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    Do you see the switch under Audio EDID? Is it set to 5.1ch?
     
    ssj92, Oct 21, 2014
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  5. frodbonzi

    frodbonzi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeah... it's set to 5.1ch... I'm wondering if maybe the drivers can be changed - cause clearly the laptop isn't recognizing the converter as 5.1... any way to force it to?
     
    frodbonzi, Oct 21, 2014
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  6. ssj92

    ssj92 Neutron Star

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    Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar>Playback devices>Right-click the device you're using>configure speakers>try seeing if 5.1 is select-able and click test>if all speakers output sound, click next.

    Another thing to try:

    Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar>Playback devices>Right-click the device you're using>properties>advanced tab>see if dolby digital live is an option.
     
    ssj92, Oct 22, 2014
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  7. frodbonzi

    frodbonzi Notebook Enthusiast

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    It is only detecting the device as 2 channel - that is the problem! What I'm thinking is that the nvidia drivers just don't detect my HDMI converter/splitter as a 5.1 capable device... I'm using an HDMI 1.3 cable - would a 1.4 cable make a difference?
     
    frodbonzi, Oct 22, 2014
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  8. ssj92

    ssj92 Neutron Star

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    The HDMI cable is the same for both. It's the device that determines the version not the cable.

    I honestly don't know what else to try.
     
    ssj92, Oct 23, 2014
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  9. frodbonzi

    frodbonzi Notebook Enthusiast

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    nvidia drivers just updated.... will let you know if that makes a difference... don't think the HD Audio driver is any different, so not holding much hope...
     
    frodbonzi, Oct 28, 2014
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  10. frodbonzi

    frodbonzi Notebook Enthusiast

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    No difference :(

    Looks like I'm doomed to endure stereo sound...
     
    frodbonzi, Oct 29, 2014
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  11. frodbonzi

    frodbonzi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Swapped projectors... now using an HDMI projector... using the splitter to take the audio out via TOSlink.... receiver lites up as "dolby"... but PC still detects the device as 2 channel.... I think that it's detecting the projector's audio - not my splitter...
     
    frodbonzi, Nov 6, 2014
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  12. frodbonzi

    frodbonzi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Bit the bullet and just purchased an external USB Sound Card for $40.... now I have 5.1 sound... but seems wrong that I had to do it that way...
     
    frodbonzi, Dec 10, 2014
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