Question regarding 5.1 surround sound with my laptop

[Shamrock]

Personally, I'm all right with having 2.1, but there are times where I miss my surround sound.

I'll try and describe my current set up, but if I leave anything out, let me know.

The speakers at hand are Creative Inspire P5800s.

Here we go...

I have my monitor connected to my laptop via HDMI. I have my 360 and my laptop plugged into the bass via 3.5 mm connections. The 3.5 mm audio plugs are only stereo and don't provide 5.1 compatibility obviously.

I guess that was easier than previously thought. Anyway, here are the plugs on the back of me bass:

3 Plugs directing to audio inputs to the front, back and center/subwoofer.
1 Auxiliary input
1 Volume control plug
2 Right speakers for front/back
2 Left speakers for front/back

The computer is plugged into the first plug for the front speakers. The 360 plugged into the Auxiliary input.

 

[15357]

So, what is your question?

 

[VirusType2]

To get 5.1 audio from your laptop, you probably have to use the HDMI.

If your audio system accepts HDMI, then you can do that... however then you can't plug it into the monitor.


If your audio system only has one HDMI port and you need 2 (for laptop and 360), then you need a splitter or something.


You could also take audio from the monitor if the monitor has 5.1 audio out (not likely)


For cables, splitters, and selector boxes, go to
www.monoprice.com (will take a while to hunt it, but if they make it, they have it)


I have an HDMI switch box, that allows me to switch between several devices to go to my TV. My TV has audio outputs that go to my stereo. No matter which device is playing through my TV, my stereo will get the sound. I got the HDMI switch at monoprice for like $20, along with HDMI cables for about $3

 

[Asus]

1)Does your laptop audio able to even create 5.1 audio.
Some audio chips can do fake surround sound. It changes the sound coming out of 2 speakers to have an 'echo' I guess that sounds good. Don't try to split to other speakers. It would ruin the sound effect (double echo).

2)Can your laptop send 5.1 audio (connections)
To know if you can do HDMI audio out we would have to know your laptop. Some graphics do that and most do not (pull audio from the onboard audio or card all internally to go through HDMI along with the video signal).

here are the plugs on the back of me bass

And what do you mean by this?
If you are talking about plugs on the back of your Creative subwoofer then you won't be able to use your laptop stereo plug to get 5.1.