5.1 Speaker system on MacBook

Hi everyone
I've just bought a 5.1 Esc XCite surround speaker system, which I've connected to my MacBook using a TOSLINK cable and a mini adapter. If I put a 5.1 DVD in the drive then I'm definitely getting wonderful 5.1 audio out - great! I can also play stereo CDs and get the usual OS X sound effects.
So here's my question. What should I see when I use Audio Midi Setup to examine the audio output device? I expected that when I select Audio Output and click on Configure speakers that I should be able to select a 5.1 speaker set up. But I can't. It stays on Stereo. What's going on? Have I missed something? This is important to me because I'm developing an Audio Unit based on the Core Audio 3D mixer and I need to have the correct speaker configuration set up.
Thanks
Bob

I've found the reason for the problem: the optical output port can only output 5.1 surround information if the data is encoded in Dolby DTS/AC3 or Pro-logic; otherwise the port can only handle stereo. Most DVDs contain Dolby surround sound data which the optical port transmits directly. The decoder built into the speaker system decodes the Dolby signals and produces the 5.1 sound. Hence DVDs play beautifully using the optical port. Sadly, Core Audio does not seem to include an appropriate codec to convert arbitrary 5.1 audio into DTS/AC3 data.
To get a true 5.1 system, I need to buy a Firewire/USB sound card with individual feeds to each speaker. I have a Firewave on order and I'll report how it works. Unfortunately, the Esc Xcite system doesn't have individual speaker inputs, so it can't be connected to the new sound card but I've sold it on to a friend who's very pleased with it. Of course, I now need to buy a new speaker system, but at least I know what to look for.
Watch this space for updates.
Bob

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