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    Studio XPS 16 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by daz7781, Mar 28, 2009.

  1. daz7781

    daz7781 Notebook Consultant

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    How do i connect the Studio XPS 16 to a home cinema amplifier in order to get 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound?
     
  2. kman01

    kman01 Notebook Guru

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    Why dont you use HDMI
     
  3. daz7781

    daz7781 Notebook Consultant

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    my amplifier doesn't have an hdmi input. it only has optical inputs and multi channel inputs.
     
  4. StudioXPS16

    StudioXPS16 Notebook Consultant

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    You could see if you can get a HDMI breakout cablle, but you may not be able to play HDCP protected content, not sure if HDCP applies to audio or only to video.

    EDIT: I am not sure if such a cable actually exists. You may be screwed here unless you buy a new reciever. Does your TV have digitial audio OUT? If yes, you may be able to use the TV to decode your HDMI audio.
     
  5. daz7781

    daz7781 Notebook Consultant

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    no my tv doesn't have digital audio out. Does the laptop have a S/PDIF output? Many laptops seem to have that where the headphone output doubles up as a S/PDIF optical out.
     
  6. StudioXPS16

    StudioXPS16 Notebook Consultant

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    I don't believe so, but even if it did, you may run into issues if you are not sending the audio along with the video via HDMI.
     
  7. daz7781

    daz7781 Notebook Consultant

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    can you get an hdmi adpater that has an optical output on it? Then i can send the sound to my amp with an optical cable.
     
  8. StudioXPS16

    StudioXPS16 Notebook Consultant

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    Not that I could find. You have to remember that to break out the signal, you would have to have some fairly extensive processing done in the cable itself. You might also have HDCP complications.
     
  9. daz7781

    daz7781 Notebook Consultant

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    my only option is if it has a S/PDIF output then i can connect it to my amp with an optical cable.
     
  10. vvcobravv

    vvcobravv Notebook Enthusiast

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    Run the HDMI into your TV then the TV's optical out to your Receiver.
     
  11. laluna

    laluna Notebook Enthusiast

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    i think the manual states that you gotta put the rear speaker in the mic, the front in one of the jacks etc. to get 5.1
     
  12. _pSyChE_

    _pSyChE_ Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeah that's as laluna said.
    You have to configure the jacks in the IDT audio control panel