Digital surround sound

I've got a question about the Mac Mini and surround sound that's pumped through a TOSLINK connection. I've been contemplating a home theatre with a Mac Mini as the brain of the home theatre. Likely using Plex as the platform.
Media tanks, such as Popcorn Hour, support various audio codecs (ex: DTS, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD MA, DTS-HD HR, Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus) via Audio pass through. I assume this means that the device will just pass along the audio to an surround sound amp/decoder and let that do the work.
Will a Mac Mini (or any other Mac for that matter) be able to do the same? If I have a collection of HD videos, with the Mac Mini hooked up via optical to an amp/decoder, are there digital audio formats I'm not going to be able to play?
I've read that the Mac Mini can only pump out 5.1 - that's not a big concern to me as I'm probably only going to have a 5.1 set of speakers anyways.

B Summers wrote:
I knew the Mac was lacking Blu-Ray, but I wasn't aware TOSLINK wasn't -inherently- able to do Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD or DTS HD. I guess when the Mac finally gets Blu-Ray, Apple will use DisplayPort as the way to get both HD video and audio out.
5.1 will probably be more than enough for my purposes. I haven't come across any movies or HDTV shows that were encoded 7.1 HD audio anyways. And I plan on buying a separate Blu-Ray player anyways... and that -will- support the really high-end stuff.
Has anyone here built their own HTPC? I've been looking into it, but all I've found have been both more expensive and MUCH bigger and uglier than the Mac Mini.
Not to mention not as easy and nice to use as the Mac Mini.
Maybe once Snow Leopard and QuickTime X comes out, Apple will update the AppleTV with full HD video and audio specs, and support for more codecs/containers... and allow the **** thing to play videos in my Movies folder - not just what's in iTunes. Probably a pipe-dream, though.
I have been steering clear of Blu-Ray for now it's "a bag of hurt".
Regarding the Apple TV, it is definitely not powerful enough to play full 1080p (as per Blu-Ray content), even when you use something like Plex which is far more efficient than the current QuickTime software. There are continuing rumours of new Apple TV hardware, maybe then...
I currently use a Mac mini running Microsoft Media Center 2005!, and have just setup multiple Mac minis running Plex for a friend. I am considering on adding either Mac minis running Plex for myself, or possibly Apple TVs running XBMC and Boxee.

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KDL 55W800C Android TV apps not getting 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound

Just bought KDL-55W800C Android TV few days ago. Everything is great except the DD 5.1 surround. I am using optical audio out to a STR-KS360 receiver. I get 5.1 with Telus Cisco CIS430 PVR connected to TV no problem. But when I tried Netflix, Play Movies and USB test MP4 on the TV. They are coming through as 2.0 only. BD connected to TV also only come through as 2.0 only while BD connected to receiver gives 5.1. Is this a known problem? There seem to be similar threads on other models. E.g. https://community.sony.com/t5/4K-Ultra-HD-TV/XBR-75X850C-Netflix-Amazon-dolby-digital-5-1-channel-support/m-p/509054/highlight/true#M4168

That sounds more logical, however, Apple and Netflix are pointing at each other.
The player needs to be compatible with Dolby Digital Plus, so that would ultimately put the responsibility on Apple. However, DDP for streaming 5.1 surround sound from the Internet is relatively new, so it doesn't surprise me that the ATV doesn't currently support it, but I would expect Apple to release a software update for it at some point.

Dolby Digital Surround Sound dropping out with channel chang

Currently I have my cable box hooked up to my extrenal I/O box for my Audigy Platinum Pro ZS2 via my cable boxes SPDIF optical out to the I/O boxes optical in. With my initial set up I went to the AudioHQ and changed my Device Controls/Digital Input controls to SPDIF (Dolby Digital/DTS SPDIF-In Decode) and I had beautiful surround sound, but the only problem is that when I change the channel I lose all sound and I have to go back to the AudioHQ controls and change the Digital Input setting back to the (Default) setting and then change it back to the SPDIFDolby digital....etc, and then the sound comes back. So why is it that whenever I change the channel I lose my optical connection?and sound?and have to reset my Digital Input settings in order to get the sound back?Somebody please help...thanks. Jacob

Sry, your comment is 5 month old, but i have to ask you some thing too:
What headset do you use for the surround sound? I read EVERYWERE that headsets can just output games / music in stereo... for example the logitech g35...
Hope you can help me

Digital surround sound not working

i have just now taken the time to play some movies through the apple tv and the center channel sound is non existant. i change sources and its fine, but only pn apple tv does the center channel drop out. then it will suddenly reappear.
any ideas? also my surround sound is functioning propoperly.

Further query

No DVD Dolby Digital surround sound in media player or media center in Windows 7

I mirrored my working config from my Vista 32 bit install into my Windows 7 64 bit install and a Windows 7 32 bit install, but can't get the Dolby Digital SPDIF coax output to work (just get static) in my Windows 7 install when playing a DVD.
Notes:
- Both Vista and Windows 7 are on the same PC, but on different partitions of the same hard drive.
- standard stereo output works fine in Windows 7
- Dolby Digital and DTS do work in Windows 7, but only in the Sound config window, not in any program.
I have the latest Creative Audigy 2 ZS Soundblaster Windows 7 drivers installed (Creative Sound Blaster Audigy series driver 2.18.0011).
Anyone have any suggestions on how to get the Dolby Digital / DTS output to work Windows 7 when playing a DVD?
MY PC SPECS:
CPU : Intel® Pentium® D 820 Processor (Dual-Core)64-bit processor with Intel® EM64T Technology. Each core operates at 2.80GHz | 2 x 1MB L2 cache | 800MHz FSB
Chipset : Intel® 945G DH (Viiv™)
Memory : 2GB DDR2 dual channel, 533MHz (PC4200)

Hi,
Thank you for posting.
Please try the following to check the S/PDIF device:
1.    Go to “Control Panel\Hardware and Sound” and click “Sound”.
2.    In the opened dialogue box, switch to the “Playback” tab, right-click on the box listing the current devices, select Show Disabled Devices and see if the item “Digital Audio (S/PDIF)” will appear. If it appears, please enable it and set it as Default Device and see if it works.
Considering the issue is related to the specific hardware, it is also recommended that you contact Creative and see if they have any constructive suggestions.
Note: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
Hope this helps. Thanks.
Nicholas Li - MSFT

5.1 Digital Surround Sound Output

So what I need is to learn if AA3 has the ability for me to play only those First Violins (Rear Left), Second Violins, Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet (Front Left), Brass Section & Cymbals (Front Right), Woodwind section (Center), Pipe Organ 16' bass, Timpani & Percussion etc (Sub-woofer), Double Bass (right rear), Violas, Keyboards, Organs, etc (Front Right).
Does anyone know how I can do this?
I need to experience what an Orchestra Conductor hears by digitizing through Multi-Track the ability to hear what he hears, but extended almost 360 degrees. My source material is mono-aural John Phillip Souza's marches recorded in the 1960s through Reader's Digest, who have given their permission for this type of work to be done.
I want to have the resulting tracks using MixDown back to 2 channel stereo in .WAV format but in 5.1 digital output in MP3 or MP4 format for all our cellphones that have MP3 players. If I can come up with my own arrangements of my own compositions, or my own arrangements of others' compositions that I have helped to "orchestrate", then this is the sound I need. Anyone with a digital home theatre system will appreciate the forethought gone into creating something of this magnitude.

Hi Ian,
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I can't play iTunes Movies in 5.1 surround on my surround sound system

I like to download iTunes movies to my MacMini from iTunes store. Recently I gave up doing so because I can't play iTunes movies in 5.1 surround on my surround system. My MacMini is connected to my Marantz 6007 SR via HDMI cable. However I can get DTS or 5.1 surround sound from my system with other players such as VLC player.
How can I fix this problem as I really want to buy or rent movies from iTunes store?

Hi komansava,
Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like your Mac Mini is able to output 5.1 audio to your surround sound receiver, but iTunes purchases do not play in surround sound.
When playing iTunes purchases, first see if iTunes is set to output the movie you're playing in surround sound:
Set up iTunes to play content in surround sound
Movies you purchased or rented from the iTunes Store may have stereo audio and digital surround sound tracks. ...
In iTunes, click the Speech Bubble icon to view your audio choices, such as English (Surround). If the surround sound choice is dimmed or the icon doesn't appear, make sure you are using the appropriate hardware and that the content is encoded with digital surround sound.
You can find this information here:
Set up iTunes and your DVD Player for digital surround sound - Apple Support
Best Regards,
Jeremy

XBR55X850C Netflix App does not support DD surround sound

I have a new Sony XBR55X850C 4K TV connected to a new Sony STRDN860 AV receiver. I downloaded and installed the most recent software update for the Sony TV which included Netflix support. However, when I go into the native Netflix app for the TV and select a program to watch my audio option is limited to a 2 channel stereo signal, even though I know that the program comes with 5.1 DD surround sound audio, which I have confirmed using Netflix apps in other devices that I own that are also connected to the AV receiver. This stereo audio limitation is also present in the native Amazon and YouTube apps for the TV. It is not present in the native Vudu app, which does transmit 5.1 channel surround sound audio to my AV receiver. This, plus the fact that multiple other owners of 850C model TVs have all reported the same audio limitation in the AVS forum, suggests that this is a bug in the Sony (Android TV) software and not a defect in everyone's TV. What needs to be done to get this issue resolved? It doesn't make any sense to have to listen to suboptimal audio just to be able to appreciate 4K video.

Hello JerryB01,
Greetings and thank you for sharing your experience with the XBR55X850C 4K television and A/V receiver STRDN860, we would like to apologize for the inconvenience regarding the audio options available when using a video application. Our engineering department is aware of this issue and is currently working on a solution to address it and be able to enjoy a Dolby Digital surround sound quality with your receiver, we will be posting updated information as soon as is available.
Thank you for your patience.

No 5.1 surround sound on X-Fi Titanium (intern

I am trying to get my X-Fi Titanium card on a new Dell XPS 420 computer to play 5. surround sound. The setup is simple. Optical out from the sound card going into optical in of Onkyo HT-S400 receiver. First I want to make sure the couple of assumptions I have are correct:
. SPDIF out means the digital optical connection from the optical out in the sound card.
2. If CMSS 3D is enabled and a stereo mp3 is played on the computer, ALL 5 speakers should have sound (a replication of stereo sound but played on all 5 speakers).
I see two devices in the Sounds icon -> Playback devices from system tray. Creative SB x-Fi speakers (This is default device and going to properties, default is stereo speakers though it can be configured to make it 5. channel but doing a test on it, the fi've sounds (LR, Center, FR, RR, RL come out of only the front two speakers) and SPDIF out (configure option is disabled and going to Properties -> Advanced it shows different 6 and 24 bit combinations of 2 channels, NO 5. channels available). I have "Gi've applications exclusi've control of this device" checked for both.
After changing the properties to 5. on Creative SB X-Fi speakers, if I go to Creative Audio Console (blue colored app) and do a channel test, the 5 sounds again come out of only the front two speakers even though the set up says 5. channels since I changed to that in system tray).
The only way all 5 speakers work is when I am playing a BluRay disc using PowerDVD. I had to explicitly make the SPDIF Out the default device and then select SPDIF from the Audio Setting within PowerDVD. Even then though it does produce 5. sound for the prei'vews before the movie (and once for the movie itself), the 5. gets disabled right after the FBI anti piracy warning now just before the movie begins.
I don't see an option for SPDIF pass through in Audio Console (I think) mentioned in the forum posts. Can someone please shed some light on this? Is this a driver issue (since I don't see 5. by default on Creative SB X-Fi speakers as well as SPDIF out -> Advanced) or am I missing some other setting? . My goal is to get sound from all 5 speakers for regular mp3's/music through CMSS and true 5. digital surround sound consistently from Blu-Ray discs using PowerDVD/any other software I might try.
Thanks for reading and I'll look forward to hearing from the helpful forum members!

So if these aren't Dolby pro logic tracks I am a bit confused here. Also, according to your explanation: once I change the language track using the menu from atv2, how can I ever reactivate the ac3 track if it does not show up in the menu?
Dolby Pro Logic I (passive) and II (active) audio is encoded in stereo normally as AAC tracks which do show up in the TV2 Chapter/Audio menu while I have never seen any AC3 audio track show up in the TV2 Chapter/Audio menu. As to switching between AC3 (in the DD5.1 "Auto" or "On" mode) to any of the AAC language tracks, I simply set the DD5.1 mode switch to "Off" and the currently defaulted AAC language track automatically plays and can be switched to any other available AAC language track using the TV2 Chapter/Audio menu. Turning the DD5.1 option back "on" or to the "Auto" mode re-engages AC3 audio playback on my system.
However, I have read about "only one 5.1 track" elsewhere (can't remember where). Do you have more info on this?
Have only tested one multi-AC3 track test file with English as the first DD5.1 language. As soon as I finish posting this, will go back and create a test file with English and French AC3 DD5.1 audio tracks reversed to see I can get the French audio to play. (Had previously tried changing the default menu and audio language settings on the TV2 device to see if that would change the AC3 DD5.1 language being played but it had no effect. If changing the AC3 track order also has no effect, will try changing the settings on the iTunes computer to see if that may control which AC3 language track is streamed to the TV2 device.

Wheres my 5.1 Surround sound?

Okay, so here is my issue, and I hope you can help me with it. I have a 27" iMac dual booted with windows 7. I have the audio out through a 3.5 mm to optical (Toslink) cable into my surround sound system. My issue is that the cirrus logic cs4206a driver does not have the option of anything more than 2 channel sound output. I have already tried a couple suggestions on the internet, even wasted 5 bucks on dolby digital live and dts connect pack. Nothing is working and I was told that I could get true 5.1 dolby digital surround sound out of my iMac. If there is anyway possible to do this and I am just missing it. please let me know.
P.S. yes i know that no matter what the iMac cannot send out 5.1 audio signal it is compressed and must be decoded live by my surround sound. And my surround sound system is fully capable of that.
Thank you

This is what I did to get surround sound,
- Use a Mini Display Port to HDMI cable and connect the HDMI into the HDMI input on the receiver and the Mini Display to the Mini Display Port on your Mac.
- Go to System Preferences on your Mac. Click on the "Sound" icon. Then in the "Output" tab, select your Surround System from the menu
- Then go into Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup. On the left side of the window select HDMI. On the right side it then should say "Source: (your speaker system)"
- Click the "Configure Speakers..." button in the bottom right of the window. Click the "Multichannel" tab. Then select "5.1 Surround" from the pull down menu. Click on each speaker to provide a test tone to make sure each is connect properly. Then click on "Apply"
- Last set is to go into the DVD Player. Go to "Preferences" and click on the "Disc Setup" tab. Under Audio at the bottom of the window select "Digital Out - (your speaker system)" from the drop down menu for "Audio output"

5.1 Surround Sound Altec Lansing with Macbook Pro

I am sure this question has been asked many times before, but I couldn't find an answer. I have 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound Altec Lansing speakers that came with my Dell Desktop from several years ago, and I recently switched over to mac by purchasing a macbook pro. I would like to know what the best way, if any, would be to get the speakers working with my macbook.
The 5 surround sound speakers plug into the back of the subwoofer, and the subwoofer has 3 cables (I'm guessing right/left/subwoofer) that connect to the back of the desktop. Are there any adapters that would allow me to use them with my macbook pro? Is there any way to just stream whatever sound I want to those speakers? Is it even possible? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Is there a way to identify which computer outputs support 5.1 sound? It is a media center PC, but I can't find that information anywhere.

Surround sound bootcamp windows 7

Okay, so here is my issue, and I hope you can help me with it. I have a 17" iMac dual booted with windows 7. I have the audio out through a 3.5 mm to optical (Toslink) cable into my surround sound system. My issue is that the cirrus logic cs4206a driver does not have the option of anything more than 2 channel sound output. I have already tried a couple suggestions on the internet, even wasted 5 bucks on dolby digital live and dts connect pack. Nothing is working and I was told that I could get true 5.1 dolby digital surround sound out of my iMac. If there is anyway possible to do this and I am just missing it. please let me know.
P.S. yes i know that no matter what the iMac cannot send out 5.1 audio signal it is compressed and must be decoded live by my surround sound. And my surround sound system is fully capable of that.
Thank you
-Brian

I know this thread is a year old, but I thought I should post my solution in case others with this problem come across this as I did.
I was having tis problem on both my laptops which I have connected to my living room and bedroom tv. Here are my equipment and connection profiles:
Asus G73jw with nVidia video card
Windows 8 consumer preview 64 bit
Onkyo tr-609 recevier
Samsung flat screen
Laptop connected to receiver via HDMI
Sony 2011 Z series
Docking station with an ATI video card that allows connection of multiple displays
Windows 7 pro 64 bit
Onkyo tr-509
Samsung flat screen
Laptop (not docking station) connected to receiver via HDMI
The solution turned out to be uninstalling all Realtek drivers and software, restarting the computer and letting Windows install it's own sound drivers. That cleared the problem. Somehow, whatever the realtek drivers pass through to the recever are not 5.1 surround or cannot be decoded.
If anyone wants more detail, post here and I will reply.

Surround Sound giving me aggravating problems HELP!

I have a Creative X-fi Titanium Champion
NOTE: Not working = plays in stereo instead of surround sound like it's supposed to.
Here are a couple great testers for my problem:
This surround sound only works if dolby digital is on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H6a-...eature=related
This surround sound only works if dolby digital is off and SPDIF out is selected as the default playback device: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA4PlwSKj8A ORhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwmuD...eature=related
With Dolby Digital off, and using the SPDIF out as my default playback device, I get surround sound, with Dolby Digital on, or X-fi Speakers as my default playback device I get stereo audio.
So In order to get surround sound, I have to turn dolby digital off. Unfortunately to get surround sound in games and movies, I have to have dolby digital on.
There must be a way to get normal surround sound without losing dolby digital or vise versa. Someone please help!
I think the problem is that for surround sound to work, the audio must come from the SPDIF out, but dolby digital only outputs to Speakers out. So while dolby digital in itself is surround sound, only dolby digital surround sound will work over Speakers out. Unfortunately I need to use SPDIF out, so does anyone know how to get dolby digital to use SPDIF out instead of speakers out so I can have surround sound + dolby digital acti've?

The Send as SMS has nothing to do with that. Send as SMS is only done if an iMessage has a send failure message. No settings need to be changed to send an SMS to someone who doesn't have iMessage.
Just tap on this icon to start a new message and enter a number or a contact name. The iPhone will automatically check to see if they are registered with iMessage. If they aren't, then you should see this:
And messages should appear in green when sent.

Has any one come up with a solution to fix the 5.1 surround sound solution

I love Maverick, but i really miss my abiltiy to play music 5,1 surround sound. I have order two difffernt external sound card only to find they not compitible with Maverick. Is there a solution. If not come on Apple give us a hand!
Thanks!
Bob

Hi there Roboco65,
You may find the information in the article below helpful.
Setting up iTunes and your DVD Player for digital surround sound
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4072
-Griff W.

I TUNES WON'T PLAY IN 5.1 SURROUND SOUND WITH WINDOWS 7. ONLY PLAYS FRONT SPEAKERS AND SUB WOLFER BUT WON'T PLAY REAR SPEAKERS. YOU TUBE VIDEOS PLAY ALL 5 SPERAKERS .

I TUNES WON'T PLAY MY LIBRARY IN 5.1 SURROUND SOUND ON MY DELL 4600 COMPUTER. I HAVE ALTEC LANSING SPEAKERS THAT ARE WIRED THROUGH THE PORTS IN THE REAR OF COMPUTER. IT PLAYS ONLY FRONT SPEAKERS AND SUB WOLFER, BUT YOU TUBE VIDEOS PLAYS IN ALL 5 SPEAKERS. I HAVE A WINDOWS 7 OPERATING SYSTEM. I TUNES LIBRARY PLAYED CORRECTLY IN 5.1 SURROUND SOUND WITH WINDOWS XP ON THE SAME COMPUTER, BUT CHANGED WITH WINDOWS 7 OS. THE DRIVER SETTINGS ARE CORRECT AND SET TO 5.1 SURROUND SOUND AND WHEN GOING THROUGH SPEAKER TEST, ALL 5 SPEAKERS PING. iS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO GET THE REAR SPEAKERS TO PLAY FROM MY I TUNES LIBRARY?

Hi mikefrompoland,
For more information about 5.1 Surround Sound in iTunes, you may find the following article helpful (it is primarily aimed at Mac users, but the settings in Windows should be similar):
Setting up iTunes and your DVD Player for digital surround sound
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4072
Note: For surround sound to work, the content being played must be encoded to support it.
Regards,
- Brenden

Digital surround sound

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