Macs and 5.1 surround sound

[nebo1ss]

In the meantime I found this adapter. Expensive (for an converter), but it seems on paper that this is what I am looking for. Plus, it has USB output, so it could(?) be used in conjunction with the SB Omni in order to benefit from the SBX Pro Studio enhancements. Anyone with experience with this device or similar?

The problem is Itunes not the sound card or any external adapter.
I have the same requirement for 5.1 audio from my movies and solve the problem by using a different application.

I use Plex but there are other applications that will give you the same results. My Macbook Pro or Mac mini are connected with an optical cable to the Amplifier and chose digital out on the system preferences sound settings. I have no problem with playing those moves in 5.1 Audio out. Not sure why you are throwing money at this.

 

[PBMB]

The problem is Itunes not the sound card or any external adapter.
I have the same requirement for 5.1 audio from my movies and solve the problem by using a different application.

I use Plex but there are other applications that will give you the same results. My Macbook Pro or Mac mini are connected with an optical cable to the Amplifier and chose digital out on the system preferences sound settings. I have no problem with playing those moves in 5.1 Audio out. Not sure why you are throwing money at this.

I don't want to throw any money at anything like this, and ideally I would like to use an application capable to send 5.1 sound over USB. That was my point initially.

But from what I understand, movies rent/purchased at iTunes store can only be played through iTunes. Also, for DVD's, there does not seem to exist any decent application except Apple's own DVD Player. Unfortunately, both work as stereophonic players form the '80s over USB.

What is this Plex you mention? Never heard about it before.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I think his point is basically give up on the USB part of this hookup. Based on all posts, it sounds like you should try to get rid of the Creative hardware and replace it with something that can take optical audio in or HDMI in and output 5.1 to speakers. That would be just about any modern receiver... including relatively cheap ones.

OR, again, you can get an TV for $69 and hook it to a 5.1 surround sound system and it will do what you want with iTunes purchases (though you will need to convert your DVDs so they can be stored in iTunes to play them).

 

[nebo1ss]

Never had much luck with this but see if you can make sense of this.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202029

 

[toleda]

I don't want to throw any money at anything like this, and ideally I would like to use an application capable to send 5.1 sound over USB. That was my point initially.

I have a working Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 with this setup:

Audio MIDI Setup
Open Audio MIDI Setup/Audio Devices
2x SB Omni Surround 5.1
Choose SB Omni Surround 5.1/2 in/ 2 out
Select Format: 6ch-24bit Integer
Configure Speakers/Multichannel/5.1 Surround
Apply
Verify each speaker is connected properly and working
Leave open

System Preferences
Sound/Output/SB Omni Surround 5.1 (usually 2nd)
Verify Speaker icon shows on Audio MIDI Setup/Audio Devices/SB Omni Surround 5.1/2 in/ 6 out

Plex
Plex/Preferences/Audio Outputs
Audio output/Analog
Audio output channels/5.1
Audio output device/Default

XBMC and VLC also work when configured to 5.1 analog
MPlayerX, iTunes, QuickTime, DVDPlayer only play stereo.

 

[PBMB]

Thank you guys for the input. Just for your information, and for anyone eventually in the same situation as myself, here is what I did.

I ended up with an optical to 5.1 analog converter. After figuring out the correct plug/socket combination, everything worked very well. It is strange that Audio MIDI Setup does not let me to define something more than stereo for the optical output. However, even with this setting, the optical output of the Macbook Pro is converted correctly into a 5.1 analog signal. I checked this with an audio file specially designed to test surround systems and to my surprise it worked. If anyone has an explanation for this I am curious to hear it.

So, for applications that can send surround sound through USB, the SB Omni Surround is one answer. But for watching videos in DVD Player or iTunes (which is exclusive because of DRM) one needs this kind of converter from optical to analog 5.1. The ideal would be of course a 5.1 system able to handle optical signals, like the Logitech Z906. But for me this system is way too big, this is why I went for the Z506. Unfortunately Logitech has currently nothing intermediate for surround sound that can accept optical input.

 

[PBMB]

Time to resurrect this discussion.

So, I have again the initial problem. With a new iMac 2019 at home, I tried to connect the previous system (Logitech Z506 + optical to 5.1 analog converter) to the iMac's headphone jack. And, surprise, no sound at all! In system preferences this appears like "headphones" and it does not produce audio through the speakers. However, with the Macbook Pro it plays just fine. A little bit later I found out that the newer systems do not have optical audio output in the headphone port any more.

I tried again the Sound Blaster Omni over USB, which gave me quite a headache with the driver on this iMac (but that's another story), but no luck. Audio Midi Setup can see it and configure it in 5.1 surround mode, the test works, so all connections are correct, but the new DVD Player and iTunes in Mojave still send stereo sound over USB.

As anyone can logically expect, I am not going to use the 15" MBP to watch a movie through iTunes while there is this glorious 27" iMac around. So, what are my options now? Is there an intermediate piece of hardware to make the link between DVD Player/iTunes on the iMac and the Logitech Z506 for 5.1 sound output?

 

[PBMB]

As it turns out, one needs an external 5.1 or 7.1 sound card with Dolby/DTS decoding capabilities.

Depending on the model, this card could be connected directly to the Mac through USB or to a module like the Sound Blaster Omni, if you already have one, through the optical interface. The Omni can be connected to the Mac through USB and has optical output to redirect its signal to an external card for decoding. I tried this combination because I already had both and I was curious to see if it works (and it did work).

Obviously, the simpler solution is to just buy an external USB sound card and forget about the Sound Blaster for this kind of use. Some fiddling with the Audio MIDI setup utility may be needed in order to assign correctly the audio channels. That's it!

 

[jojobiz]

As it turns out, one needs an external 5.1 or 7.1 sound card with Dolby/DTS decoding capabilities.

Depending on the model, this card could be connected directly to the Mac through USB or to a module like the Sound Blaster Omni, if you already have one, through the optical interface. The Omni can be connected to the Mac through USB and has optical output to redirect its signal to an external card for decoding. I tried this combination because I already had both and I was curious to see if it works (and it did work).

Obviously, the simpler solution is to just buy an external USB sound card and forget about the Sound Blaster for this kind of use. Some fiddling with the Audio MIDI setup utility may be needed in order to assign correctly the audio channels. That's it!

hi, I just got a 2019 iMac too and running into the same problems trying to get surround sound. First Sorry I'm a newbie so I'm very confused by the 'external sound card' part. when you say external sound card, are you referring to those small usb external sound cards like the Sound Blaster Omni, or are you talking about big AV receivers like the this Sony below?

Sony STRDH590 5.2 Channel Surround Sound Home Theater Receiver: 4K HDR AV Receiver with Bluetooth,Black

Upgrade your home entertainment system to work with the latest 4K TVs and HDR picture. Equipped with 4 HDMI inputs, HDCP 2.2 signal handling, and a host of advanced features the DH590 is the perfect combination of high performance video capability and superb Sonic fidelity. High-Resolution Audio ...

www.amazon.com

even more confusing is that all those small usb external sound cards like the Omni all say 5.1 / 7.1 Dolby/DTS decoding capabilities. but it seems like...that's not really true? because if they could decode Dolby /DTS, then it should be a simple matter of iMac --> Omni --> speakers, and surround sound should work. If it doesn't, then the Omni is merely a multi channel output adapter which can't decode anything. (so why are they advertised as an external surround sound card...or is this a Windows vs Mac issue, I don't get it)

I found this page and the 2 diagrams seems to match what you described. the simplest method seems to be:
iMac -->usb to HDMI adapter--> AV receiver--> surround sound speakers.

Setting up surround sound in OS X with a multi-channel sound card

this is frustrating because I really like those 'usb external sound cards' like the Omni, they are small and much cheaper than a full blown big ass AV receiver.

am I on the right track? or is there some super usb external surround sound card out there that can decode Dolby/DTS like a regular AV receiver can?

 

[PBMB]

hi, I just got a 2019 iMac too and running into the same problems trying to get surround sound. First Sorry I'm a newbie so I'm very confused by the 'external sound card' part. when you say external sound card, are you referring to those small usb external sound cards like the Sound Blaster Omni, or are you talking about big AV receivers like the this Sony below?

Sony STRDH590 5.2 Channel Surround Sound Home Theater Receiver: 4K HDR AV Receiver with Bluetooth,Black

Upgrade your home entertainment system to work with the latest 4K TVs and HDR picture. Equipped with 4 HDMI inputs, HDCP 2.2 signal handling, and a host of advanced features the DH590 is the perfect combination of high performance video capability and superb Sonic fidelity. High-Resolution Audio ...

www.amazon.com

Ouch! You don't need such expensive hardware for this. What I did is to buy this sound card. The setup is very simple: you connect your 5.1 (or 7.1) speaker system to the card and then the USB cable of the card to a USB port of the iMac. You may need to configure the channels using the MIDI Setup utility and select the new audio output in System Preferences, but that's all. This card does not even need separate power; it uses the USB interface to receive audio signal and power from the computer at the same time. In the system requirements you will see that it needs Windows but it runs on Macs as well (I have not tried Catalina; still on Mojave). I guess the difference may be some drivers for more functionality on the Windows side.

even more confusing is that all those small usb external sound cards like the Omni all say 5.1 / 7.1 Dolby/DTS decoding capabilities. but it seems like...that's not really true? because if they could decode Dolby /DTS, then it should be a simple matter of iMac --> Omni --> speakers, and surround sound should work. If it doesn't, then the Omni is merely a multi channel output adapter which can't decode anything. (so why are they advertised as an external surround sound card...or is this a Windows vs Mac issue, I don't get it)

The Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 cannot decode surround sound on a Mac. I tried hard to figure out what it can really do, because the user manual is a bit confusing at this point, but this is my conclusion. It is simply what you wrote, a multi channel output adapter. I have not tried it on a Windows machine though.

or is there some super usb external surround sound card out there that can decode Dolby/DTS like a regular AV receiver can?

I hope the details I posted above are precise enough for you to better understand the problem and make a decision.

 

[jojobiz]

Thx for clarifying. I got some more questions if you don't mind lol. So the CSL 7.1 sound card you are using, Amazon description says it's a channel encoder. I can't tell if that means it can decode Dolby / DTS signals or is it acting like a 5.1/7.1 channel designator so you can assign the audio stream to the correct speakers?

What if I want to use the optical cable to connect to a 5.1 sound bar, would the CSL sound card still work? I'm still confused as to where the decoding is actually taking place...

 

[PBMB]

Thx for clarifying. I got some more questions if you don't mind lol. So the CSL 7.1 sound card you are using, Amazon description says it's a channel encoder. I can't tell if that means it can decode Dolby / DTS signals or is it acting like a 5.1/7.1 channel designator so you can assign the audio stream to the correct speakers?

What if I want to use the optical cable to connect to a 5.1 sound bar, would the CSL sound card still work? I'm still confused as to where the decoding is actually taking place...

I cannot answer specifically the 5.1 sound bar part, because I don't have experience with such equipment. You can also ask this question in the corresponding amazon page.

But I know as a fact that the CSL does indeed the decoding and redirects the decoded signal to the speakers. Thanks to it I can have full surround sound in movies played in my iMac, no matter the software used (DVD Player, QuickTime, iTunes or Macgo Mac Blu-ray Player).

 

[RPHenry]

Ouch! You don't need such expensive hardware for this. What I did is to buy this sound card. The setup is very simple: you connect your 5.1 (or 7.1) speaker system to the card and then the USB cable of the card to a USB port of the iMac. You may need to configure the channels using the MIDI Setup utility and select the new audio output in System Preferences, but that's all. This card does not even need separate power; it uses the USB interface to receive audio signal and power from the computer at the same time. In the system requirements you will see that it needs Windows but it runs on Macs as well (I have not tried Catalina; still on Mojave). I guess the difference may be some drivers for more functionality on the Windows side.


The Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 cannot decode surround sound on a Mac. I tried hard to figure out what it can really do, because the user manual is a bit confusing at this point, but this is my conclusion. It is simply what you wrote, a multi channel output adapter. I have not tried it on a Windows machine though.


I hope the details I posted above are precise enough for you to better understand the problem and make a decision.

PBMB... can you share the link again of what sound card you ended up going with? I clinked the link you have already and and the Amazon page just showed a list of various products but I didnt see a specific sound card. I'm in the same boat as you guys were. I've a 2020 iMac. And I was hoping I could connect w/surround to my old Z-5500. Just need to know the company/brand/model of card you used. Thanks! And I hope everything is still working for you!

 

[PBMB]

PBMB... can you share the link again of what sound card you ended up going with? I clinked the link you have already and and the Amazon page just showed a list of various products but I didnt see a specific sound card. I'm in the same boat as you guys were. I've a 2020 iMac. And I was hoping I could connect w/surround to my old Z-5500. Just need to know the company/brand/model of card you used. Thanks! And I hope everything is still working for you!

This is what frequently happens with Amazon. Here is a new link to the product description. Although only Windows are officially supported (I guess that concerns drivers offering more functionality), it works perfectly under Mojave. I have not tried Catalina but I don't see why it would not work.

 

[RPHenry]

This is what frequently happens with Amazon. Here is a new link to the product description. Although only Windows are officially supported (I guess that concerns drivers offering more functionality), it works perfectly under Mojave. I have not tried Catalina but I don't see why it would not work.

Hello again PBMB... I clicked your link and again its showing a list of products and not 1 specific product. Can you give me the actual name and model number you see in the product description. Then I could just do a search? Thanks again!

 

[PBMB]

Hello again PBMB... I clicked your link and again its showing a list of products and not 1 specific product. Can you give me the actual name and model number you see in the product description. Then I could just do a search? Thanks again!

Very strange. In my case it displays the correct item. You can just go e.g. to amazon.co.uk and search "Adwits USB 7.1 Soundcard". You should immediately find the device seen in the picture.

 

[assoc]

Very strange. In my case it displays the correct item. You can just go e.g. to amazon.co.uk and search "Adwits USB 7.1 Soundcard". You should immediately find the device seen in the picture.

The US amazon doesn't seem to have an Adwits soundcard, but it has this which looks identical. Is that a rebadge?

 

[PBMB]

The US amazon doesn't seem to have an Adwits soundcard, but it has this which looks identical. Is that a rebadge?

I don't know what's wrong with Amazon but now it is my turn to see a list of products instead of the exact product description page. If you mean the CSL USB 7.1 Sound Card, then yes, it is most likely a rebadge. It is exactly the same product as the Adwits one and it exists in the European stores also under the CSL brand name.

 

[RPHenry]

I don't know what's wrong with Amazon but now it is my turn to see a list of products instead of the exact product description page. If you mean the CSL USB 7.1 Sound Card, then yes, it is most likely a rebadge. It is exactly the same product as the Adwits one and it exists in the European stores also under the CSL brand name.

PBMB...
Thanks again for with help finding that sound card. I finally ordered it and should arrive this week! I have some questions about its setup that maybe you've already experienced and perhaps you can help with. Heres a reminder of what I want to do. (If possible)...
I've a new 2020 iMac.(Catalina) And like many other folks, I'm hoping that I can still use my old Logitech Z-5500 for its audio & decoding of surround sound via Z-5500 digital optical connect. I'll have the sound card you recommended.
My connection was going to be....

-iMAC USB out to that one input (on the back) of the CSL (Using cable provided w/sound card)

Then...

-CSL SPDIF OUT to Z-5500 Digital Optical Connection using a Toslink Digital Optical Cable.

Is there something I'm missing here or does this look like it should work?
The MIDI stuff, although I found it on the iMAC, I'm totally unfamiliar and don't know what settings I should configure. Any tips?

Thanks!

 

[PBMB]

My connection was going to be....

-iMAC USB out to that one input (on the back) of the CSL (Using cable provided w/sound card)

Then...

-CSL SPDIF OUT to Z-5500 Digital Optical Connection using a Toslink Digital Optical Cable.

Is there something I'm missing here or does this look like it should work?

I have not tried a system equipped with optical input, like the Z-5500, so I am not sure. Mine is the Z506 and I use the analog interface. But I don't see why your idea would not work. It is the logical thing to do and it should work without problems.

The MIDI stuff, although I found it on the iMAC, I'm totally unfamiliar and don't know what settings I should configure. Any tips?

Thanks!

In the screenshots you can see how the system reports the Z506 in Audio MIDI Setup. The settings related to channel volume may not apply to your case but I think you should try nonetheless the 8.1 option. In the speakers configuration (5.1 surround - accessed by clicking on the "Configure speakers" button), as you can see I had to change the assignments so that each channel sounds through the correct speaker. It was trial and error. Hopefully it will be more obvious in your case through optical output.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

I don't use iTunes but I do use QuickTime, and iTunes probably works the same way.

If a video file contains both a stereo track and a surround track, as far as I can tell QuickTime will always play the stereo track, at least without a special sound card.

However, if you remove the stereo track from the file so it only has a surround track, the surround track will play correctly! Unfortunately, it won't sound quite as good on stereo systems, but it will get downmixed so it's not horrible.

Subler is probably the easiest way to remove audio tracks from files. This of course won't help you with DVD player, it's for DRM-Free movie files which you've ripped yourself or some such.

If anyone knows of a better way to set the metadata or something so you don't have to completely remove the stereo tracks, I'd love to hear about it, but as far as I'm aware this is the only way.

 

[assoc]

I purchased the Leagy sound card that I linked earlier, which appears identical to the Adwits/CSL cards that are available in Europe.

Unfortunately I can't seem to get SPDIF output to work at all. It doesn't look like the light is on in there, and all the other outputs seem to work, but it doesn't.

Is there something special I have to do to turn it on? Or do I just have a busted card?