Surround Sound via HDMI

I've tried just about everything to get Surround Sound out of the MacBook Pro. I'm starting to wonder if it's even possible.
I have a MacBook Pro Mid-2010 (the first model to support Multi-Channel Audio, BTW), and I've been trying to output surround sound to a Vizio 7.1 Surround Sound System (It's got sound quality like you wouldn't believe, if only the speakers weren't so slippery and would stay still.) It's connected to a Vizio HDTV through optical audio, which is connected through an HDMI cable to the MacBook, which is using a Moshi HDMI to Mini DP adapter (It's pretty good quality). I know it's not a problem with the HDTV or the Sound Bar, as Surround Sound works fine with our 3D BluRay, our DTV Box, an HD Upscaling DVD Player, and Windows 7 or 8 PCs, including my Surface Pro 2 (Worst computer in the universe.) The Sound Bar doesn't like PCM very much (sometimes it works), and prefers Dolby.
First, I thought it might be a problem with the TV, so I moved the whole system upstairs to a 720p LG HDTV, which also supports optical surround-sound passthrough from an HDMI source. It still showed as a 2 channel device in MIDI Setup. Then I tried various different settings and restarting and resetting the PRAM. I also tried another, unmarked HDMI to Mini DP adapter that I had in a random box, also to no avail. I thought maybe it only works with a lower display resolution, but no. I even tried using someone else's Retina MacBook Pro, but it had the same problems. Seriously, how does anyone even consider a mac as an audio production platform? This is a serious issue for audio professionals (Not that I'd know, I'm an artist). Anyway, I've even tried a few supposed software solutions, like Perian, which didn't work at all. Someone suggested Soundflower, but I know that doesn't work, because I've actually had it for years. (It's quite useful for recording or redirecting audio.) There's a few tutorials I've seen to solve the problem, but they all stop making sense at the "Set the format to 6 or 8-Channel" part. Obviously, if I can't output Surround Sound, that means that there's no "Format" option that's not labeled "2-channel".
Screenshots: (Ignore the Premiere Pro option, that's just there just it's open in the background)
So basically, what do you do if Mac OS X tells you there's no Surround Sound, and every other device tells you different?

Dam I've done it, ok next thing is where the volumes are grey'd out I would like to increase the volume to the rear speakers.

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Try:
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http://blog.hqcodeshop.fi/archives/146-Mac-OS-X-Dolby-Digital-5.1-with-Mac-Mini- solved.html

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Regards
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So I think that my situation agrees with that. It seems like it is a question of tagging of content if itunes tv episodes eg Hawaii 50 pays OK with dolby and sounds great, yet my own movies which are ripped from my own personal DVDs no longer play the Dolby track. Does anybody know if this is the case?

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Hi levelg
levelg wrote:
Great. The only problem is that when I define 8channel sound, the amplifier doesn't do any surround sound processing, and so virtually everything that I can play on the Mac only comes out of two speakers . To get surround sound effects (Pro Dolby etc), I have to revert to 2ch-24bit and allow the amp to do the surround effects.
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@mndwgz and Lousyfool
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http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4562
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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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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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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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Manjunath

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Last edited by Wintervenom (2009-09-04 21:17:54)

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