5.1 Surround sound from iMac.

Hi, I am wanting to change from a desktop PC (with Soundblaster card and Altec lansing 6 speaker surround sound (audio out from PC are FrontL-R, RearL-R, Centre/Subwoofer) to an iMac. Presumably I would use the firewire output (?) into some sort of adapter to create the audio signals descrbed earlier to feed into the Altec Lansing system.
I have seen old postings on the internet referring to a Griffin Firewave device but this no longer weems to be available.
Can anyone suggest how I might be able to do this. To buy a whole new home cinema system seems an expensive solution as the PC is only used in the home study.

You really need to specify exactly what imac you have. Current ones I believe have an optical (out) and in and I think that can be combined with usb to produce multi-channel sound. But it's just an academic exercise if you don't have the optical.
Also, google "5.1 audio on imac" for lots of hits on this topic.

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Surround sound for iMac

I have Creative Inspire 4.1 4400 (http://static.clickbd.com/global/classified/item_img/895644_0_original.jpg), and I would like to get surround sound from speakers when I watch movies. I have done some research for some time, and I have no idea how to connect this to iMac.
The speaker system has green and black cables (3.5mm). For now, I only have green cable connected to iMac, and I somehow get sound from all 4 speakers + subwoofer. But it is not a true surround effect since the sounds from rear speakers are the same as front speakers.
This is what the speaker system looks like: http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/995/dsc02837n.jpg
So, what do I need to get to have surround sound on iMac?

Here is the video of the set-up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKA7nbdyAaQ&feature=youtu.be
Again, this is what my speaker is: http://static.clickbd.com/global/classified/item_img/895644_0_original.jpg
Here is the picture of the back of the subwoofer:http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/995/dsc02837n.jpg
The green cable is for front speakers while black cable is for rear speakers. It doesn't have a separate cable for subwoofer.
After doing some research, I've read that this speaker system is "not compatible with optical SPDIF sound cards." Is that related to the sound card I bought?

Outputting 5.1 Channel Surround Sound from your Mac

How to output 5.1 Channel Surround Sound from you Mac...

I have been using my MacBook Pro via HDMI into my pioneer av amp which is set up for 5.1.
I have been able to output 5.1 audio with Logic Pro and FCPX no issues at all after you setup the audio midi utility for 5.1. This setup is via PCM 5.1 audio not to be confused with Dolby 5.1.
It works great. If you want to play your edited exported movies from Final Cut Pro x in surround then it gets a bit tricky. I export the movie with FCPX as master video with the 5.1 audio then use HandBreak set to atv3 to encode / compress the video. This is great because handbreak folds the 5.1 into a stereo AAC track and also encodes the 5.1 mix into Dolby 5.1 AC3 track so both stereo and surround tracks are embedded in the movie file. So if you have an Apple TV it will play the movie with its surround track. If you play the same HandBreak compressed movie out of your Mac via hdmi to your surround amp it will only play the stereo track if you are using iTunes or QuickTime and I believe this is because of copy protect and Dolby license issues. iTunes will play a purchased movie from the itunes store in surround via your Macs hdmi to receiver setup but will only play the stereo track of the movie you exported from HandBreak even though it is set up just like an iTunes movie. To get your HandBreak movie to play in Dolby surround from your Mac all you need is VLC player, then you have to go in and select the Dolby track and the output in VLCs audio settings and bingo your HandBreaked movie then plays out of your Mac in Dolby surround. Once you set your Mac up for 5.1 mixing your amp will show your outputting 5.1 via the mac but again this is PCM audio 5.1 and apps like FCPX, Soundtrack Pro, Logic Pro will work.

Mac mini 2014 won't do 5.1 surround sound from HDMI port

I can't seem to get my Mac mini 2014 to do 5.1 surround sound from the built-in HDMI port to my home theatre system. When I run the Audio MIDI Setup program the only option is 2ch-24bit (stereo). Now I didn't have this issue when I tested it with a Mac mini 2012 running 10.9.5. It allow me to select 6ch-24bit (5.1) and Encoded Digital Audio. I also don't have an issue with the Mac mini 2014 if I use a Belkin Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter connected to one of the Thunderbolt 2 ports. It does 5.1 surround sound just fine. So is there something wrong with the built-in HDMI port on the Mac mini 2014 or OS X 10.10?

Hello mrbraindead,
Welcome to the HP Forums, I hope you enjoy your experience! To help you get the most out of the HP Forums I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More.
I understand you are having problems with your VLC audio since updating to Windows 8.1. I am providing you with a link to a thread I found on en.Kioskea.net titled VLC video player suddenly has no sound. There are numerous solutions provided here which is why I am providing you with the link. I would review the posters solutions and ensure that you have checked all the suggestions they make.
Please re-post if you require additional support. Thank you for posting on the HP Forums. Have a great day!
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5.1 Surround sound from 2011 21.5 inch Imac to sony dav-tz135

Can i get 5.1 surround sound out of an 2011 imac to sony entertainment system
http://www.sony.com.au/product/dav-tz135

If the Movie has only a 2 channel stereo track then no you can't. There needs to be a 6 channel track sometimes called Dolby 5.1
You can convert 5.1 down to 2 ch but not the other way around

How can I get true 5.1 surround sound from my iMac?

I am looking to buy a logitech z506 5.1 speaker system but it only take 6 channel input, I know my iMac doesnt support that out of the box. I am looking for a solution that I can do to so I can get true 5.1 surround sound. Please help
Thanks,
Amar

You really need to specify exactly what imac you have. Current ones I believe have an optical (out) and in and I think that can be combined with usb to produce multi-channel sound. But it's just an academic exercise if you don't have the optical.
Also, google "5.1 audio on imac" for lots of hits on this topic.

Logitech z906 5.1 surround sound and iMac 27 inch-how do i set up and get surround sound?

I just purchased logitech z906 surround sound 5.1 speakers and also have the new imac 27 inch fully loaded.
My only concern prior to receiving my speakers, will I be able to hook it up with my computer? Do i need any extra external HDMI cables or what not?
Sorry, Im not tech savvy so please adivse in lay english, and non-technical wording.
I will appreciate everyone's input and also will take any brand name suggestions as to if I will need to buy any other supplies to truly enjoy these speakers.
Thanks everyone.

Hi there
If you have a 2010 + MacBook Pro, then you will be able to play audio/video via the MiniDisplay Port to HDMI. You can purchase an adapter from here, or a 3rd party adapter from here.
Taylor

I get no 5.1 surround sound from apple tv2 for any media

I have apple tv2 and think its great. However I have it connected to my ken wood surround sound system and only get sound from 2 speakers for all media including movies, netflix, my iTunes library and airplay from my iPhone or ipad.
There is no problem with connections and the same fibre optic cable supports 5.1 in the same port of my ken wood when it it connected to my DVD player.
My Dolby in settings is set to on.
Any suggestions

You really need to specify exactly what imac you have. Current ones I believe have an optical (out) and in and I think that can be combined with usb to produce multi-channel sound. But it's just an academic exercise if you don't have the optical.
Also, google "5.1 audio on imac" for lots of hits on this topic.

HT1454 i connect my iPad to my tv with hdmi cable but the surround sound from the receiver is not working why is this?

i want to play my ipad on through my tv and receiver to get surround sound (not using the tv speakers) I connect the htmi cable to my tv and ipad do i need more cable to get my surround sound to play the audio? i thought hdmi did it all.

if you have a 6th or 7th gen classic, you'll have a have the video out cable from apple. only the 5th gen will play with a generic 3 connector video out cable.

Surround sound on imac

I have never heard of any surround support on any mac whatsoever. Is there a chance the new imac will have surround sound? Id expect apple to have come out wtih something like this since a majority of their products are sound and music based.

Actually all the iMac G5s and PowerMac G5s have surround sound support on their DVD Players. You need a Toslink minijack connector which ships with the AirPort Express Stereo Connection Kit with Monster Cables
, and that will plug into many 5.1 speaker systems like the Logitech Z-680 (which I have).
Edit: I corrected the Logitech Model after looking it up again.

5.1 surround sound on iMac?

Are the new iMacs capable of playing 5.1 surround sound? If so, how?

Try this Discussion...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3639822?start=15&tstart=0
And/or see the More Like This section on the right.

Can't get Surround Sound from a stereo sound file

I have tried multiple times to get the surround panner to work on any of the stereo clips that are included with STP2, but it stays in stereo. If I put the surround panner all the way to anything but the left or right channel I get NO sound. Surround sound is working fine for clips that are 5.1.
Anyone have any clues as to why this is not working?
If I pick a audio clip that is surround, the panning works and sounds fine. But looking at the demo movie on Apples website, it should be no problem to put a stereo file into any of the surround speakers.
I got a new HD coming and I am going to install everything fresh.. OS and all and see if that fixes things.

I'm not sure if this helps because I new to this having only picked up Soundtrack Pro for the first time a couple of weeks ago, but I was having the same problem until I moved the widner on the Surround sound HUD to full (fully to the right). Suddenly my stereo went into all 5 channels! (I'm trying to make 5.1 from stereo at the moment) Now I could move the puck and the sound would go to that speaker. But yeah... it's something i don't see in the manual and had to figure out for myself. Only took two weeks...

True 5.1 surround sound from headphone port over a Toslink cable?

http://support.apple.com/kb/SP690 page regarding the headphone port simply says: "Support for audio line out (digital/analog)". So, in planning a purchase I have the following 2 questions:
1. Does the newly released 15" MacBook Pro w/ Retina display have the ability to output true 5.1 surround sound or is it only able to output simulated surround sound? In other words, does the newest MacBook Pro decode the 5.1 signal (separate outputs front center, fronts, rears and subwoofer) over a Toslink cable pluged into the side headphone jack?
2. Using the above confuguration will the new MacBook Pro be able to play true 5.1 surround sound on HD movies purchased or rented from iTunes?

Probably: http://osx411.com/index.php?/topic/38-hook-your-macbook-pro-up-to-your-surround- system/

NO surround Sound from HDMI

Hello:
I have an old HP G70 latop running Vista 32 bit. I have it hooked up to my system through HDMI to my Yamaha receiver. the video display is stunning but I am only getting 2 channel stereo adio. This reciever decodes surround sound even if there isnt any coming in...I know this because thet last computer was hooked up with audio only through the headphone jack and it worked great. I have surround sound through any other format so it is not he reciever. I have read through many posts but have not been able to solve the issue...here is what I have tried:
made sure the playback sound check is on HDMI
made sure it had dolby and DTS as supportede formats and tried every different sample rate
made sure 5.1 is checked
even did the test and got sound out of all individual speakers
tried other settings as well, quad, stereo, 7.1
tried updating driver but it says there are no updates
tried forcing an install of the realtek driver that is reference many times...wouldnt accept it.
tried deleting the driver from device mgr and reinstalling
tried different media players, windows media center, vlc and media player classic
in short...I've tried!!
the only thing I cant seem to accomplish: i see reference to check the "SPDIF" box but theat does not seem to be visable in the driver I have.
any thoughts??

Hi
Please find the link given below might help to fix your issue.
Resolving HDMI Display and Sound Issues
Let us know how it goes!
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Surround sound from Panasonic TM900 in to FCP X?

Just bought a Panasonic TM900 and I've been having a little play. AVCHD files (but not 1080-50p) are recognised by FCP X, and can be imported using the 'Import from Camera' function. All seems well except for the fact that FCP X reports that these have 2-channel stereo audio rather than the 5.1 surround sound that the camera records in. I have imported some of the 1080-50p files via ClipWrap and FCP X reports that these have 5.1 surround audio.
If I play both types of file (the regular AVCHD and the 1080-50p) in the VLC Player it reports that both types have 5.1 surround sound (AC3).
Why am I only getting 2-channel audio for the regular AVCHD files that I import from the camera directly in to FCP X? Any ideas?

yeah, luckily i am working with single long clips so i don't have to do it that often. it's a lot of work, true, but it does work and so far it's the only solution i've found.
i do find it a bit strange that apple doesn't let you "optimise" the audio in the same way as for video. Meaning, to convert ac-3 into whatever format it wants to edit audio in. in can encode ac3 during export, so why not decode it on import?
There's a section in the help manual that says you can specify mono channels to specific surround channels, but i've never been able to get it work, but now that i reread it, it does say to do it in the timeline. I've always tried it in the event browser. So it might be worth trying in your case.
You need to first have the configuration be 6 mono channels. Then, supposedly, you can specify each mono channel to be a surround channel.
Select the clip in the Timeline.
In the Channel Configuration section of the Audio inspector, choose an option from the Channels pop-up menu.
To assign a mono channel to a specific surround channel: Select the mono channel waveform, and choose a surround channel from the Channels pop-up menu.
Source:
http://help.apple.com/finalcutpro/mac/10.0/#verc1fab5f6

5.1 Surround sound from iMac.

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