Learning Surround Sound...

Hi,
I will soon be buying Logic Studio. I have never really done much in terms of Surround Sound mixing, but I would like to take full advantage of the Surround Sound capabilities Logic Pro 8 has to offer.
Does anyone know of any good online forums which will be a good learning aid?
Another thing to mention is hardware - I have a Mac Pro, but I currently use the built-in audio interfaces. I presume for the 5.1 output capabilities I would have to get hold of the hardware for it. Any suggestions on where to start for this type of thing? Does not have to be extravagant!
Thanks,
Steve

Hi,
Thanks for the info. Wow, $3K is quite a lot! Is there anything cheaper available? It isn't for pro use, but more for lesiure use. I do stereo mixing for more professional needs, and for that I have my two monitors. But the surround sound mixing would only be for lesiure - and to learn, so they would not have to be super accurate or anything.
I will check out the Dolby website too. What is there available in terms of soundcards that support surround sound? Again, nothing too fancy as I have quite a tight budget to work with!
Thanks,
Steve

Similar Messages

Adobe Flash Player Surround Sound

Cannot figure out why, oh why, does Adobe Flash, the almighty web ruler, NOT do surround sound. Just does not do it. I have browsed around and learned that, at least among the forum and google, Adobe is aware of it.
I can take a **** on my keyboard, and with some skill, get an application that supports surround sound.
You have users out there trying to 'fake' surround sound? wtf?
pandora, youtube, and many other sites, neeeeed you to give us some surround sound capability.
Please tell me what email address to forward this to, this message needs to get to its designated application designer ASAP
OH you also have users that post on the forum that they 'have no sound' only to find out their speaker balance was off, and flash only plays out of the front speakers.... granted noone should have their speaker balance that far off, but it shows how more problems are fixed by simply making the app right in the first place, and supporting surround sound. I mean, Who would leave that out?, why?, gah!
-tehgrateawes

The Flash Player is simply the platform. The developer/designer of the application that you are viewing on the web would be the one who can implement the surround sound capabilities.
Because the Flash Player is truely multi-platform, leveraging a single platforms (Window's) ability using Direct-X or other things like that is not an option for an 'across the board' method.
Is there a particular website or flash application that is frustrating you in this regard?

Mac Pro and Surround Sound

I cannot get 5.1 channel sound out of my Mac Pro (or my PM G5 for that matter).
So what are my options for bringing out the surround content of Windows games to my Logitech Z-5500 5.1 system?
I investigated the M-Audio Revolution 5.1. It's not compatible with the PCI-Express slots or with MacOSX 10.4.8.
Is the Mac Pro too new for any such products to be available for it yet?

Feeding my Logitech Z-5500 5.1 system from the optical out, only gives me DPL2, (I think) from DVD movies. For games on the Mac, I needed to take a feed to the Logitechs from the headphone out as the optical feed didn't yield any audio from games. What does the optical out give us then? Nothing more than sound for DVDs and some MacOSX alert sounds.
Now I'm guesssing this but my intuition tells me that the optical path is a direct feed from the DVD player. Well, perhaps not really direct but certainly a different path to that of the integrated audio hardware.
Now we have one most serious problem here. Nearly all games ported to the Mac are encoded 2-channel only. Aspyr admitted this to me. I do not watch DVD movies on my Mac so the Logitechs are serving no purpose apart from providing stereo audio.
Aspyr says that since Apple only provides for 2-channel audio in hardware and software, game publishers never bother with surround information in their games. Aspyr says, if it did it could cause instability and crashes because the Mac is a 2-channel computer. Games with surround sound will be more common if Apple builds the feature into its computers.
Unless Apple changes it's policy we are stuck with 2-channel. And similarly, Windows on Intel Macs is hobbled because the same hardware is used by Windows.
Can a Firewire or USB decoder extract surround sound from Windows games? It certainly can on a PC. But what about an Intel Mac? I'm about to learn the answer when the Audigy2 NX arrives.

Surround Sound For the Mac?

Hello. I use my PC for games, I have a Creative Labs Xi-Fi card and 7.1 surround sound speakers there. I'd like the same quality on my Mac for movies, but especially for WoW. Is there a sound card or other surround sound solution for the Mac?

Hello, frustrated!! I empathize with you totally!! I own one Dell and 4 Mac's (for my creative work) including one top of the line MacPro, and I, too, have the 5.1 (and beyond!) sound problem issue. I agree with you that it is terrible that, in my case, after spending $12,000 for this bleeding edge technology, it only comes with stereo capability! When I used my older G-4, I was extremely happy for years with the Revolution 7.1 Surround Sound Card, by a great company called M-Audio. This card worked seamlessly right out of the box.....the software was so easy to use, too. So, naturally I was really shocked and bummed out a few months ago, when I learned from their tech support and sales team there, that no, this card will NOT work on the MacPro.
From the M-Audio website: Re: Apple Intel Mac Pro & DualCore PowerMac G5 desktop compatibility:
The new Intel based Mac Pro desktop computers, as well as the latest generation DualCore PowerMac G5's, have PCI-Express slots, and not PCI or PCI-X (Like the Delta/Revolution Series cards). Not only are the data rates on PCI-Express different from PCI/PCI-X, but PCI-Express uses serial data transfers versus PCI/PCI-X transferring its data in a parallel fashion. For these reasons, a PCI-Express type motherboard connector (or "slot") is physically different from a PCI or PCI-X type connector. Therefore a PCI-Express adapter will not physically fit in a PCI or PCI-X slot, and vice-versa. This is true regardless of the adapter card's manufacturer.
All of our current USB and FireWire interfaces are compatible with the new Intel Based Mac Pro and late model DualCore PowerMac G5 computers.
Please use their link: http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.family&ID=recording
Of course, I prefer the efficient elegance of an internal card, rather than an external box providing more desktop clutter, but at least this is a solution for us! Best of luck to you!!

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!
Please click the "Thumbs Up" on the bottom right of this post to say thank you if you appreciate the support I provide!
Also be sure to mark my post as “Accept as Solution" if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others who face the same challenge find the same solution.
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"Customers don’t expect you to be perfect. They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong." ~ Donald Porter

Is it even possible to edit surround sound on a Mac Pro?!?!?!

Hello,
I've just been reading this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2924869?
Which among many things discusses the fact that Mac Pros, even through an optical cable, are not capable of exporting live 5.1 audio - they can only playback already encoded 5.1 dolby audio from DVD's for example. Apparently the optical out is a purely stereo affair otherwise. I've finally received my Logitech 5450 speakers (took weeks and weeks) and hooked them up. They can indeed playback 5.1 from a DVD, which is splendid. However, one of the things I was most looking forward to was working on surround mixes in Soundtrack Pro. However, firstly STP doesn't want to convert stereo files into surround (like the video online showed), but only means that the surround panner pans between the two front speakers. (I know there's another thread about that, but the proposed solution of adjusting the collapse slider does nothing).
Secondly, and perhaps more confusingly, if I load an actual 5.1 file from the STP content, it still doesn't play in proper surround - the centre speaker kind of works and I think something's rumbling through the subwoofer, but both of the left speakers and right speakers are 'compressed' into the front one alone - nothing comes out of the rear speakers (they are perfectly connected I assure you!). In other words, f I move the puck in the surround panner so it's solely on the front right, and then over to the rear right, it's exactly the same (coming out the front).
I'm sure there must be a solution. Why would Apple advertise the ease with which one can now mix surround if the Mac Pro (I'm not exactly talking about a mac mini here) cannot export live 5.1?
Something which I'm sure is related, but which I can't solve, is that if I go into Audio MIDI setup in Utilities, and try and 'Configure Speakers', only two channels are recognised, and it won't let me select any of the multichannel options (such as 5.1, which is greyed out.)
Anyone know what I'm going on about? I'm totally lost - not really an audio person in general, but hoping to enrich my short films with some surround magic.
Any help greatly appreciated!
Steve
Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)
Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Typically 5.1 is mixed, and monitored on a 5.1 monitoring system, which means you need an audio interface and setup capable of outputting six channels of audio.
So of course the Mac Pro is capable, but not without additional multi-channel playback and monitoring hardware.
Encoded surround sound, which you hear on playback from things like a DVD, is entirely different story and the encoding is done at the end of the mixing/mastering process. Sometimes you will encode a mix in a variety of formats, Dolby Pro Logic, DTS etc.

Not able to get the sound from my tv to come through my surround sound speakers

I have a new Samsung 46" tv and a new yamaha receiver also a new Samsung blu-ray player. I currently have an HDMI cable going from my tv to my receiver and a short HDMI cable going to my Blu-ray player and the old style red and white rca cables from my tv to my receiver. The surround sound works great when playing the blu-ray but no luck when watching regular tv. I have tried to change the tv speakers to external speakers but all is silent when i do that. I have read on the other post of similiar problems and the solution seemed to be using an optical digital cable. I have also read on prior post that i should be able to accomplish this with just the HDMI cable. I do not have a cable box only a cable line coming into the house and straight to the tv. Do i even need the rca cables?

When i purchased the equipment from best buy i told them what all i was trying to accomplish and this is the exact way i was told to make the connections keep in mind i know nothing when it comes to electronics so i wrote the instructions from the salesrep word for word. Here is what I have. My tv is located on one side of the room and receiver and blu-ray on the other about 25' from each other. I have regular cable coming to the tv and I have an HDMI cable coming from HDMI (DVI- IN) on the tv to HDMI(OUT) on my RX-V367 receiver. the i have a short HDMI cable going from my receiver (HDMI/DVD) to my blu-ray (HDMI out). My RCA cables came into play when I told the rep. that I wanted my tv sound to come through my surround sound. He said they did not have a digital optical cable with a length of 25' to reach from tv to receiver so I would have to use RCA cables and to connect them from (audio component IN) on my tv to (AV OUT) on my tv. The input on my receiver when watching tv in on HDMI 1.

Guide : Getting 5.1 surround sound. Audigy 2

Hi all
I thought I would write up a really quick but effecti've and simple guide for owners of the Audigy2 ZS and seeing how its Xmas time, I can assume a few lucky boys and girls may have this awesome card under the tree.
Most of whats covered should work with all creative products.
(Sorry, but I WILL NOT cover any info regarding encoding media or the like that will conflict with copyright laws)
This guide is for setting up your Creative Audigy 2 ZS for surround sound 5. reproduction and information in regards to required Filters/Codecs. I have not included any advanced set up options or the like as the ZS with the set ups I have incluced here will cover it out of the box.
One of the most common issues people may have with 5. not fuctioning correctly while playing a DVD movie ( Mpeg ) or any multi channel media that is 5. encoded, has to do with Codecs/Filters.
Most media players will not decode all AC3filters/Mpeg, thus require extra filters/codecs/plugins to be installed.
Ok , the first thing to do is ensure your sound card and speakers are set up correctly.
Most common speaker sets have 3 plugs that go in the back of your card .
EG, Logitech X-530. Pink = Front Centre.Black = Rear left and right. Green = Front left and right.
Ensure they are in the correct place and are tightly fitted.Ensure your sound card is secure and tightly in place.Make sure your speaker cables are tidy and not a big tangled mess.
Ensure in device audio controls that SPDIF passthrough is NOT ticked as this is for optical output ( the ZS pro with rack fuction )
Update to the latest drivers an media source ap
ps.
A few little things to set up first in Creative Mixer Control Panel to ensure cleaner sound:
Lower Master and Wav volume in Creative mixer to about 90% as to avoid any over dri've disstortion.Lower Master Bass Volume to about 90% to avoid over powering the bass.Ensure that your speaker settings Windows control panel and Creative speaker settings match your speaker set up..
Also run the THX Speaker Callibration test in basic mode.
YOU SHOULD DISSABLE CMSS IN EAX CP IN ORDER TO GET 5. TO FUCTION AS IT SHOULD.
CMSS is to be use only for a MONO or STEREO source/signal. It is for sending the stereo/mono signal ( left and right) to all speakers. This is not 5., mearly it is the same signal sent to all speakers to give you a more rich and vivid sound reproduction of an other wise flat source.
Turn off any EAX FX.
Things you want to do to ensure stable use:
SHUT DOWN CTHELPER:
A background task that is a plug-in manager for Creative drivers. A 3rd party manufacturer can use the CTHELPER plug-in interface to produce drivers, add-on features, and fixes that will integrate with a tighter fit with Creative?s sound drivers and utilities. Gi'ven its purpose CTHELPER would normally be classified as a "leave alone" background task. It also allows Creative speaker setup to be synchronized with Windows Control Panel speaker setting. Without it running that check box in Creative speaker setting is not functional (settings are not in sync). Unfortunately there are often problems with CTHELPER, most notably that it can use 00% of CPU time so it's best left disabled unless you REALLY need it .
Type in run "msconfig" and shut down all Creative Start up entries. Infact its proberly best to shut everything down.
NOTE: Any essentinal Software for the proper fuction of devices ,Eg: Razer mouse utils should be left on.
Simple Bios settings to help improve audio and stablity:
Dissable Pallette Snoop.ANY AND ALL shadows for devices, EG VGA BIOS and system bios should be dissabled. If you have the setting for PCI latency in your bios ( AGP boards only ) set it to 64, if its already at 64 try 32 .
Shut down ( remove, reconmended ) any 3rd party tweak apps that run in the background.
EG, Cache Man and any monitoring software.
Ok, now for Filters/Codecs and Plugins.
A major required Filter is AC3. (ac3filter__0a_rc5)
AC3Filter - it is DirectShow filter for AC3 decoding to play AVI with AC3 audio tracks and MPEG2 (DVD). Required for WMP.
NOTE: If you have DVD software that should play encoded 5. then make sure you have any updates/patches for the player installed and go through the tools/options for the player and ensure its setup correctly to decode AC3filters in the applictions tools menu.
If you use Cyberlink Power DVD you may need to pay an extra fee to get the required AC3filter/MPEG2 decoders to fuction as all 5. sound settings may be greyed out on some dated versions.
InterVideo WIN DVD ( this software suit comes with most "Asus" if not all makes of Mainboards. This suit comes complete with the required codecs/filters so get full surrport for 5. - 6. - 7. out of the box. Note: you must set it up first under audio options as it defualts to 2..
If you use WMP0 you should download and install the AC3filter or get the latest XP codec/filters packs. With out these filters you may not get 5. sound and/or poor reproduction.
Supported file types:
The following table lists the file types (formats) supported by Windows Media Player .(For files type played by Power DVD or WIN DVD please refer to the makers website or read me file for a detailed list).
File type (format) File name extension .
Music CD Playback (CD audio) .cda Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF) .aif, .aifc, and .aiff Windows Media audio and video files .asf, .asx, .wax, .wm, .wma, .wmd, .wmp, .wmv, .wmx, .wpl, and .wvx Windows audio and video files .avi and .wav Windows Media Player skins .wmz Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) .mpeg, .mpg, .mv, .mp2, .mpa, .mpe, .mp2v*, and .mpv2 Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) .mid, .midi, and .rmi AU (UNIX) .au and .snd MP3 .mp3 and .m3u DVD video .vob Macromedia Flash .swf Microsoft Recorded TV Show .dvr-ms*
NOTE: WMP defualts to 2.. To enable 5. run WMP0. Click on tools then point to options. Navigate to DVD then open up the advanced window. In here is everything you need to set things up.
NOTE: If you mess things up simply return to defult settings and start over.
Some common errors you may encounter with WMP.
Error messages are identified by numerical IDs, such as C00D0BC2 and 800704CF. You can determine the ID of a specific error message by clicking the More Information or Web Help button on the error message when you encounter it. The resulting page will indicate the error ID.
: Error's C00D6A and C00D9A while playing DVD's or MPEG-2 content.
This is directly related to either your current video card drivers or the MPEG-2/DVD decoder you have installed (EG: PowerDVD, Win DVD etc ). Reinstalling and/or uninstalling the MPEG-2/DVD decoder (PowerDVD, Win DVD ) and/or video drivers should fix the problem for you.
You should now be able to re-install you decoder ( Power DVD etc ) and continue its use.
Erro : C00DAC:
Cannot play the file Windows Media Player cannot play the protected file because there is a problem with your sound device, such as a sound card or sound controller. You might encounter this error message for one of the following reasons.
Your sound device requires an updated driver. ( update driver )
The selected sound device does not support Secure Audio Path (SAP).
If you have multiple sound devices installed on your computer, try using a different one.
To use a different sound device, on the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Devices tab. Double-click Speakers, audio device to use, click a different device.
Error : "divide error in module IVIAUDIO.AX at".
Only exists in systems that have various Sound Blaster Li've sound cards and WinDVD installed.
This is infact a compatibility problem between these products. The problem is realized when MP3 oriented applications call upon certain sound card services making it look as though the error was raised from within the application in question.
FIX:Uninstall WIN DVD. Reinstall WMP and AC3 filter and then reinstall DVD WIN.
A simple but rare issue.
ModName.Win DVD "msvcrt.dll" and/or Win DVD MFC application error.
FIX:
Uninstall any java filters. Macromedia and Macromedia Acti'veX.
( to remove Acti'veX go to C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files and delete the Acti'veX )
What are codecs Codecs/Filters.
Codec stands for Coder/Decoder. Basically it is a piece of software or a driver that adds a support for certain video/audio format for your operating system. With codec, your system recognizes the format the codec is built for and allows you to play the audio/video file (=decode) or in some cases, to change another audio/video file into that format (=(en)code).
For example, when you install Windows to your home computer, Windows installs automatically most commonly used codecs into the system, so you don't have to download them separately from their vendors. However there are some codecs that are widely used, but not installed by Windows. Most notably DivX , MPEG-2.
Get all the Codecs/Filters/Plugins you could ever need from:
http://www.free-codecs.com/AC3_Filter_download.htm (ac3filter__0a_rc5)
http://www.free-codecs.com/
NOTE: ( XviD-.0.3-2022004 for Divx ) Stand alone codec for playing Divx instead of the Divx full install.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...0/default.aspx
Ok, you now should be all set.
However Codecs/Filters/Plugins are like any other kind of software installed and things can go wrong. If things are not working as they should try the following.
Download and install "Gspot"
http://gspot.headbands.com/download.htmlBuild 0307 - 23 KB Run the programme and simply point to system and select "List Codecs and other Filters"
Its a no brainer really to know whats what here and how to use it to find out the source of the issue, if you have one. If its red, its bad so you then need to trace the Filter/Codec to its source and remove it.
Here is just one very simple excample you may encounter and how it was fixed.
If you have ffdshow file is missing error pop up while running a player application, first go to C:\WINDOWS\system32 and search for ffdshow.en. Its proberly not here though. If it is just leave it be.
NOTE: ffdshow is used for AVI/Xvid enc/dec source.
To fix this "ffdshow Video Codec file is missing " error Simply uninstall your Xvid codec or your entire DivX programme, or any other Filter/Codec you have installed for playback of DivX files and AVI Video Files.
(Some times it seems a few Codecs/Filters dont get along so you must be aware of what you install).
Cheak "Gspot" again and Filter should be removed from the list.
Now you can reinstall the Xvid filter "XviD-.0.3-2022004" or your desired DivX programme.
Now go back toC:\WINDOWS\system32 and search for ffdshow.en. It should be there if it was not before. If the issue is back try a different version of required Filter.
So, thats just excample of a simple fix that got everything working again. Its not to hard to find out what the problem Codec/Filter is and then its just a case of uninstalling it. You can re-install the Codec/Filter but you should double cheak with "Gspot" and ensure the issue has not repeated itself .
If it has you can try and find out if the issue is related to another type filter causing a conflict or use an alternate Filter/Codec that will perform the same task .
Search for an updated version of required the Codec/Filter also.
Ok, thats pretty much the basics in getting correct and stable 5. sound working the way it should with your new Creative Audigy 2 ZS sound card.
I hope this has been of help.
Regards,xmn.
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 08:02 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 08:04 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 08:05 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 08:05 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 08:09 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-24-2005 09:29 PM
Message Edited by xmn on 2-26-2005 03:07 PM

BUMP, just incase its been missed by a new board member

How do I connect my Apple TV to my Philips surround sound DVD system?

I can't seem to get surround sound when watching Apple TV (or when watching live or recorded TV via my Virgin Tivo). I use a three-years old Philips DVD home surround system to get surround sound when I'm watching Blu-Ray (I have connected my Philips Blu-ray and my Philips DVD player without difficulty). But I can't figure out how to get surround sound whne watching Apple TV. I bought an optical cable with an audio jack on one end, to connect to the DVD player and the optical end clicks into the ATV. Still nothing. Any ideas?

The surround system seems to support digital audio - it has settings for HDMI audio and video (even though it doesn't actually have an HDMI port) I bought the optical/audio cable on the advice of a staff member in the Apple Store, but frankly, she didn't see, to understand my problem. She recommended I insert the cable into the "MP3 cable IN" port but that' not working.
I'm probably not explaining myself very well - bottom line: I have a DVD surround system and an Apple TV, so how do I connect them?

How can I connect my apple TV to my surround sound system without running any extra cables?

I have my Apple TV connected to my TV via HDMI. The TV is connected to an auxiliary box that outputs sound to house speakers. I don't want to run any additional wires because of the distance to my auxiliary box and the fact all my wires now run through the wall. Also the auxiliary box lacks any extra HDMI ports.
On cable, the TV sound plays surround sound, but on the Apple TV sound plays from the TV itself.
Is there any way to alter settings on the TV (LG LB6100 Smart TV) to change the sound source?

if you have a router and set it up for wifi and have ethernet plugged in then point your iPhone to that router and it will connect to the ATV.

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.

How do I connect Apple TV and surround sound to my projector?

My current set up is that I have a projector connected to my Blu-Ray player. My surround sound speakers connect to my Blu-Ray player. They all came in the box together and the speaker wires all go into the Blu-Ray. Everything works perfectly.
However now I have bought an Apple TV and although I can play it through the projector, the sound is only through the projector and not the surround sound. I tried plugging the Apple TV in the HDMI in the projector and then connecting the Apple TV to the Blu-Ray via optical cable, but that didn't work.
In the back of the projector there is 1 HDMI port and an audio port but no optical port
In the back of the Blu-Ray, you have the speakers, the HDMI, the audio in and the optical port.
How can I connect everything so that I can use my Apple TV with surround sound?

The manual doesn't say anything an optical port on the BD ?

Connecting my MacBook Pro to my DVD Surround Sound Speakers?

I'm a student filmmaker in the UK and pretty much do all my video editing from my bedroom using Final Cut Studio. I am using a MacBook Pro3,1 (bought in 2007) and have recently decided that I want to start working in 5.1 surround sound.
As I have no surround sound speakers with my MacBook Pro, I was wondering if it would be possible to connect it up to my DVD surround sound system? This would ultimately save me having to buy a compatible set and having two lots of surround sound speakers around my room...
My DVD player is a Panasonic SC-PT150. The 6 surround sound speakers each connect to it through the standard +/- "clip-in" wire set up (which, obviously isn't compatible with my MacBook Pro). There are also two AUX sockets (one for Left and one for Right) on the back of the DVD player. So far, I have tried connecting my MacBook Pro to these sockets using a Mini plug to RCA cable, however, all I get is an incredibly loud humming noise.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might, either overcome this problem or, get the setup to work another way? Thanks in advance for your help.

Thanks both of you for your help.
It doesn't mention either of those connections in the manual, however, yes you are right, it takes digital input. I'll have to call and check if the toslink cable is compatible.
I tried connecting the mini-stereo-to-RCA cable to my Nokia phone (which is actually where the cable came from) and that plays through the DVD speakers just fine, when i select AUX mode. Although, as you said, it only plays stereo.
Say the mini-toslink cable is compatible, would I need to get a 5.1 surround sound card for my MBP?
Thanks again.

On Demand Surround Sound doesn't work using X1 Xi3

I have a Pace XG1v1 DVR and the Pace Xi3 satallites. My problem is that when I watch a program using On Demand it will not play in Surround Sound. Works perfect on the main XG1v1 box but not the satellites. Everything works fine on live or recorded programs just not the On Demand on the Xi3s! I have the Xi3 going into a Vizio TV then the optical cable coming out of it into a Sony Receiver. Yes, I have swapped out the companion boxes, keeping everything else the same, and the main box pushes the surround sound through when using On Demand. It only happens with the companion boxes; all 3 that I have! Is this a known proplem or what setting can I change to fix it? Please help.

ComcastPhill,
This is the 3rd time deputylynch has posted this and I believe ComcastNick or ComcastZach has already reached out to him.
I am all for getting problems solved but lets not unnecessarily duplicate efforts.
The OP has already received a great deal of help and input on this issue.
ComcastPhill wrote:
Hi deputylynch this is a unique issue that I am going to research and possibly escalated for you. I will let you know if I hear any updates or have someone contact you directly. Thank you

How do i get my surround sound to work with my laptop while using a hdmi cable for the video

I have a Sony surround sound system hooked up that works great. My X-Box 360 works with it and I can get my HP G60 to play audio files through the surround sound system with a red and white audio jack plugged into the back of my surround sound receiver, the red and white audio cord goes to a 3.5mm headphone jack that i plug into the headphone plug on the front of my computer. The problem occurs when I hook my HDMI cable into my computer and connect it to my Samsung Flat screen, the HDMI sound takes over and wont allow the sound to go through the headphone jack. My tv does not have any audio output plugs, and my suround sound reciever doesnt have an HDMI input. Is there a setting on the computer that will allow me to over ride the HDMI sound and direct the sound through the head phones? or is there an app or tool that will allow my laptop to recognize my suround sound system plugged into my laptop? I have been to best buy, walmart, radio shack and even my local car audio store to ask about this issue and everyone has a different solution, and so far none of them have worked???????? sincerley frustrated! please help!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Hello JaeRoc48,
I understand that the sound is not working.
Go to start.
Type Sound.
Select sound.
Select speakers as default.
Click OK.
Let me know how everything goes.

Learning Surround Sound...

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