Question Xbox 360 sound through PC speakers

[Litmus]

Is it possible? And if so what do i need. I have 7.1 surround sound for my pc so just wondered if it was possible.

 

[nath]

Do you have an optical input on your PC? If so that's probably the most straight forward way.

 

[Sparx]

are your speakers optical ( i assume so being that its 7.1) then 2 ways of doing this

1. Use a VGA cable to connect your 360 to your tv/monitor the cable has an optical out

2. if you are connecting to an HD TV via the HDMI cable then the TV should have an optical out connect through there

Both ways work just fine, i know this because i have connected both ways in the past

 

[ST^]

Do you have an optical input on your PC? If so that's probably the most straight forward way.

This is the answer. I dunno what Sparx is on about, not sure he knows either.

 

[Sparx]

i know exactly what i am talking about, using PC speakers for the 360. Unless i totally misread what he meant

 

[ST^]

Yeah but do you really think that cable has anything even remotely like an optical feed on it? And any TV that comes with optical out (there aren't many) will almost definitely only output 2 channels. Even then, it may only work on the digital tuner and not other sources.

 

[Ch3tan]

Yeah but do you really think that cable has anything even remotely like an optical feed on it? And any TV that comes with optical out (there aren't many) will almost definitely only output 2 channels. Even then, it may only work on the digital tuner and not other sources.

The standard 360 lead has an optical out on the box that is on the video lead, hdmi or component. I think sparx means connect that to his speaker kit. This would only work if his speaker kit accepts an optical input. If it only takes 3.5mm inputs then he will have to find a different solution.

Thing is most pc sound cards won't pass through a 5.1 or greater signal will they? Only a 2.0 signal.

 

[Sparx]

ST i can assure the VGA cable has an optical out

EDIT: i said in the beginning i know because i personally have done it

EDIT2: And regards to the TV comment, i said IF he is connecting via HDMI cable which supports 5.1 (not sure about 7.1) then use that.
Either i must not have been clear enough or you just assumed im completely wrong

 

[Sparx]

i have a Samsung syncmaster TV, please note the optical out

Most HD TVs now have optical out

 

[Raven]

Thing is most pc sound cards won't pass through a 5.1 or greater signal will they? Only a 2.0 signal.

Even wanky on-board sound cards have at least 5.1, most 7.1 these days. Any sound card above £20 will have 7.1 too. Though not many have an optical in socket.

 

[Ch3tan]

That is what I meant, they can output it, but they cannot accept a dolby digital input or decode can they?

 

[Litmus]

Ok, so basically i need to see if my TV(which is HDMI) has audio out. And check that my sound card on the pc has optical in?

 

[Raven]

If you have a creative card then you (maybe) in luck

Creative Sound Blaster Digital I/O Module Accessory

 

[Sparx]

Ok, so basically i need to see if my TV(which is HDMI) has audio out. And check that my sound card on the pc has optical in?

you could unplug the speakers and plug them directly into the tv?

 

[Litmus]

I have a creative audigy 2 zs

 

[Ch3tan]

Ok, so basically i need to see if my TV(which is HDMI) has audio out. And check that my sound card on the pc has optical in?

No, if your speakers can accept an optical input directly, then just plug them into your 360. If you have to route sound through your TV it won't help if you can't connect the speakers to the TV.

 

[Litmus]

http://www.sequoyahcomputer.com/howto/lp2cd/AudigyJacks.jpg

Thats the back of my sound card, and my TV has digital out port. So now all i need is the correct cable. Any ideas where you can get these from?

 

[Sparx]

so its not optical its split. You wont be able to get 7.1 at the most you will be able to get stereo

 

[Ch3tan]

Yeah it's not got a digital in, so you can't connect it via your PC. You can't use those speakers with your TV, unless you have a 3.5mm headphone out and then you will only get stereo as sparx said.

If your TV does not have 5.1 speakers with it, then there is no point linking up your 360 to it via digital. You'll just spend money on a cable for the same old stereo sound. Just use the red and white RCA cables.

 

[Yaka]

didnt realise creative stopped adding digtial in to the cards, does the card it self have no connections for digital? i used to have an audigy plat yonks ago and it had a optical out on the back and on the board