[SkyeHack]

1) I have bought the new revised Logitech Z-5500 Speakers that come with the new speaker wire.

2) I have a Alienware Area-51m Laptop that comes with an onboard Audio: 5.1 channel out (SPDIF) / Line Out that uses C-Media 3D Audio Configuration Software.

Will my soundcard take full advantage of my Logitech Z-5500 and it's 5.1 Sound capability with THX, Dolby Digital Pro Logic II and DTS Digital Surround Sound? Or do I need a new PCMCIA/USB Sound Card? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[Kane]

Unless it's an nForce 2 chipset (which the P4 does not have) the digital only does 5.1 from DTS/DD sources (DVDs). In order to get 5.1 from games, you need to use the analog outputs (Front L/R, Rear L/R and Sub/Centre). I can't find a decent picture or information as to whether or not you can use that.

 

[SkyeHack]

So you are saying that I should be fine how I am right now because a simple soundcard upgrade will not help me as I would need a motherboard upgrade which is impossible with a laptop?

Here are some more pictures, BTW.

(Note that I have the new revised version with detachable speaker wire. NOT RCA attached wires like shown here)

 

[hushypushy]

the colored ones are the analog ones, the ones i'd honestly recommend. i have the old Logitech 5.1 speakers (Z-640) and i use the analog connectors and my DVD and game 5.1 is splendid

 

[SkyeHack]

the colored ones are the analog ones, the ones i'd honestly recommend. i have the old Logitech 5.1 speakers (Z-640) and i use the analog connectors and my DVD and game 5.1 is splendid

So what exactly are you recommending? lol

 

[Kane]

You know the headphone jacks right? you need 3 of those to output 5.1 in analog. Most soundcards, esp. on board ones, have connector configuration, so you can configure the mic in and line in to be centre/sub and Rear L/R

 

[Knuckles]

well, you could get one of those PCMCIA audigy 2 card:

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=10769


then plug your speakers in it, it supports 5.1 and 7.1 on real speakers systems (it's what they say on the site) plus, you get WAY better sounds quality/performance then your current one

 

[SkyeHack]

You know the headphone jacks right? you need 3 of those to output 5.1 in analog. Most soundcards, esp. on board ones, have connector configuration, so you can configure the mic in and line in to be centre/sub and Rear L/R

Since I only have 2 output lines I need to get another soundcard with 3 outputs correct?

Will the PCMCIA Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook be used for my purpose? Check out the pictures:

On the card, aside from the connector we mentioned earlier, which is only for the loudspeaker outputs, there are only two 0.134-inch (3.5-mm) jacks. Obviously this isn't much compared to what you find with the high-end Audigy 2 cards. But fortunately these two connectors are multi-use. One is an input, the other an output. The input jack not only accepts analog line and microphone inputs, but also digital S/PDIF through the use of an optical or TOSLINK connector. The output also has an analog function usable with headphones and a digital function, also using an optical connector. You might find this a limited set of possibilities, but they do give you the essentials.

For the speaker outputs, you snap the breakout cable into the connector. At its end are three 3.5 mm female jacks that work the way the ones on Audigy 7.1 internal cards do: a three-point connector (green) for the front speakers, a four-point connector (black) for the rear channels and the right side channel, and a four-point connector (orange) for the center channel, subwoofer, and left side. You can connect three-point jacks to four-point outputs. The unused outputs are short-circuited. All you have to do is configure your speaker outputs to suit the equipment you have connected.

Thanks again Kane. I am no audiophile at all. You are helping me lots!

Edit: Thanks Knuckles lol

 

[Kane]

Sounds good to me.

 

[SkyeHack]

Or should I get an external USB Audigy so I won't be limited to having to use this card on a laptop only?

Also, I went to another forum Neowin.net and this is what this dude had to say.

Certainly, you just have to buy a coxial audio cable and connect to the laptops SPDIF out and then to coaxial input located on the logitech pod. You'll then need to configure the onboard soundcard to use SPDIF. Lastly, make sure you choose SPDIF (audio options) in powerdvd or whatever DVD software player you use.

Is this true?

 

[Kane]

Like I said, that only provides 5.1 in DTS/DD streams, like in DVDs. Everything else will be in Stereo. I have that problem.

 

[SkyeHack]

In order to get 5.1 from games, you need to use the analog outputs (Front L/R, Rear L/R and Sub/Centre).

Doesn't Pro-Logic do this though? Im sorry Kane if I am not getting this. Like I said, I am an audio newb.

 

[SkyeHack]

ok i went ahead and bought an Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA card. this will defeintely take full advantage of my speakers correct?

 

[I-Chan]

SkyeHack, you know the rules, no double posting. Use the edit button and add whatever comment to your las post if no one has replied yet, unless it's vital. And it definitely wasn't this time.

 

[hushypushy]

skyehack, what i was saying was to use analog. i dont see the big deal with the digital stream, and you'll only get 5.1 with DD/DTS, if you play games and such it wont be in 5.1. therefore, go with analog inputs (the 3 inputs...black green and orange)

 

[Kane]

The only reason I can see to use digital is if your amp doesn't support 5.1 analog.... like mine, or you like to use 1 cable instead of 3/6. My soundstorm was perfect with it. DD 5.1 through optical.
Now I'm stuck with 2 channel audio unless I watch an AC3/DTS(/OGM?) encoded file. ProLogic is a nice idea, but I find it tends to wash out the bass and focus too much in the centre channel. DD is far far better.

 

[hushypushy]

ProLogic sucks. ProLogicII is alright if audio is spefically encoded for it.

and, for the reasons you said, i recommend Analog. big deal about connecting 3 cords instead of 1

 

[SkyeHack]

ProLogic sucks. ProLogicII is alright if audio is spefically encoded for it.

and, for the reasons you said, i recommend Analog. big deal about connecting 3 cords instead of 1

really, there is nothing wrong with analog? isn't digital suppose to be a little better or something or is there no real difference to justify it?

 

[FLaRe85]

Hmmm...I have those very same speakers, only I'm using them for my TV. I have my XBox running into optical and I hooked up the stereo audio out from my TV into the aux input with an RCA to minijack converter.

It actually makes watching TV more enjoyable.

 

[GeneralClaymore]

You know the headphone jacks right? you need 3 of those to output 5.1 in analog. Most soundcards, esp. on board ones, have connector configuration, so you can configure the mic in and line in to be centre/sub and Rear L/R

realtek onboard sound have config for u to change the line out and mic into center/sub and rear.

you plug that long plug into the the card. then plug in ur speakers. and the add on card does the rest.