7.1 audio for iMac

[apenaroks]

Is there any way I can get complete 5.1 audio on my Aluminum iMac? Not just the cheesy adapter that simply gives the same sound to all the sound, i mean TRUE 5.1 audio. Any external Sound modules that can do that?

 

[Cave Man]

Your iMac will already do 5.1 (or 7.1 as your title says). You simply need content that's encoded in DD or DTS and an amplifier that accepts an optical cable.

 

[shinryu744]

You may want to try a USB sound card, the best for its price would have to be the sound blaster Xfi

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-Blaster-70SB109000000-Surround/dp/B0017QQQAE

I have one not on my Mac but PC and I am very happy with it.

 

[apenaroks]

Your iMac will already do 5.1 (or 7.1 as your title says). You simply need content that's encoded in DD or DTS and an amplifier that accepts an optical cable.

DD or DTS? what is that? And isnt optical the plug that uses light through a fiber optic cable? Mac's dont have the fiber optic technology in them. ???! can you elaborate?

 

[Superman07]

DD or DTS? what is that? And isnt optical the plug that uses light through a fiber optic cable? Mac's dont have the fiber optic technology in them. ???! can you elaborate?

They are audio standards for encoding that give different sound to each of the channels. If you have something configured to two channels (stereo or 2.0) then you'd definitely have a "fake" 5.1 even if you had it hooked up to a 5.1/6.1/7.1 speaker setup.

This would probably be a good starting point for your to read up on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surround_sound

Also, from the Apple website:

-- Headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)

Somebody should be able to post a link to the accessory needed (I couldn't find it with a quick search).

 

[Cave Man]

DD or DTS? what is that?

Dolby Digital and DTS - the two most common forms of multi-channel digital audio. Most movies today are encoded in digital surround (e.g., 5.1, 7.1, 9.1, etc.) and the way these are stored on DVDs or movie files is using either Dolby Digital or DTS technologies.

And isnt optical the plug that uses light through a fiber optic cable? Mac's dont have the fiber optic technology in them. ???! can you elaborate?

Yes, all Macs sold today have optical audio input and output. The mini-jack is dual-purpose. If you plug in a 1/8" connector, it sends out analog audio. If you plug in a Toslink cable with a miniplug, it sends out optical audio. If you have a receiver or amp that can take optical, then you can get digital audio from your Mac. Analog can only carry Dolby Pro Logic II (5-channel) at this time. Have a look here for the details.

 

[apenaroks]

Dolby Digital and DTS - the two most common forms of multi-channel digital audio. Most movies today are encoded in digital surround (e.g., 5.1, 7.1, 9.1, etc.) and the way these are stored on DVDs or movie files is using either Dolby Digital or DTS technologies.



Yes, all Macs sold today have optical audio input and output. The mini-jack is dual-purpose. If you plug in a 1/8" connector, it sends out analog audio. If you plug in a Toslink cable with a miniplug, it sends out optical audio. If you have a receiver or amp that can take optical, then you can get digital audio from your Mac. Analog can only carry Dolby Pro Logic II (5-channel) at this time. Have a look here for the details.

so, my iMac can send out those lights through a toslink miniplug, aka, fiber optics?

 

[Cave Man]

so, my iMac can send out those lights through a toslink miniplug, aka, fiber optics?

Yes, provided the media you're playing has a DD track (or DTS for DVDs or movies played by VLC or XBMC, but NOT Quicktime). I have two Onkyo 5.1 systems for our home theater (Mac Mini-based) and family room 40" Samsung (Apple TV). Both play movies in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround - and they rock!

 

[Lord Zedd]

Movies and specially encoded videos are the only things that will play in 5.1.