I did a search for this, but didn’t find anything as basic as what I’m looking for.
I’d like to set up surround sound with my laptop. I have a factory (i.e. unmodified by me) Dell Latitude. In the Windows Device Manager, under “Sound, Video, and Game Controllers” there is one item: IDT High Definition Audio Codec. I can’t seem to find any details beyond that. My understanding is that if this doesn’t support surround, I’ll have to buy a new sound card (external in this case, since I have a laptop, right?). Could anyone answer the following questions, please? I like to think of myself as technically-minded, but I sort of seize up around knobs and dials and wires.
How do I tell if my sound card is surround-capable?
If I buy an external sound card, does it connect to my computer via USB? How much do these typically cost? Is there a plug in the external sound card for each of the surround speakers?
If your sound card is capable of 5.1 surround, it should have output jacks for center, front and rear channels (or a digital out, either optical or coaxial).
Thanks, Lurker. Those reviews will be insightful, I think.
I also thought of another question to tag onto my OP. Presumably, the plugs for computer speakers are distinctly different from the plugs on speakers you might use, say, to hook up to your TV. I say this because on websites like www.newegg.com and www.tigerdirect.com, there are separate categories for “Computer Speakers” and “Home Entertainment Speakers.” Are there external sound cards that would accept the plug for so-called “Home Entertainment Speakers?” My thinking is that I could do this and purchase more generic speakers, ones that aren’t beholden to a computer.
I’m not very computer savy and HAVE NOT tried this on my computer yet, BUT have read a review of my computer that states that this will work for me if I choose to try it
I have a HP Pavilion dv8000z laptop using a Conexant AC-Link Audio card and windowsxp. The card supposedly already has the codecs for surround, 5.1 and 7.1 sound.
To see if your sound card has the ability to output 5.1 try this. Go to Start > Control Panel > Sounds,Speech,and Audio Devices > Change The Speaker Settings > Volume.
Under Speaker Settings click on Advanced > Speakers.
You should then see Speaker setup. Click on the v and see what options are available to you. Mine shows the availability of “surround”, “5.1” and “7.1”. Take your pick(if you have any of these options), apply and back out.
Then buy one of these adapters, or something like it. Plug it into your headphone jack and connect an optical cable from the other end to your a/v receiver.
Don’t know if this will work on your computer, but it’s SUPPOSED to work on mine.