Mac and Surround Sound basic question

[bachconnelly]

Hey guys,

I have a really stupid question, my mac is a dual g5 and i was doing a 5.1 surround test on it with my speakers and i can't get 5.1 to work. Does the sound card that comes standard to 5.1? i couldn't even find a sound card in the profiler, is it on the motherboard directly?? Someone please help!! i just want my 5.1!! ha ha, thanks,

d-

[Releaux]

I'm not sure what exactly you're trying, so can you provide a little more information?

Are you using the built-in sound out jack on the Macintosh or are you using an external interface (MOTU or other?)

Are you just trying to get 5.1 sound from a DVD or are you working with a Digital Performer project?

If you're just trying to get surround out to watch a DVD, here's the info from DVD Player's help file:

Selecting the audio output for a DVD movie

Depending on the equipment you have, you can select one of two types of audio output when playing a DVD movie:

System Sound Output, the default format, plays analog audio on your computer's built-in speakers, stereo headphones, or other audio device.

Digital Out plays digital audio. Digital Out allows you to use a home theater system to play back 5.1 audio.

To use Digital Out, your audio equipment must support the S/PDIF format. You might need to install drivers required by your audio device. Contact the manufacturer of your audio device to determine whether you need to install drivers.

To choose the type of audio output you want to use:

1. Connect your audio device to your computer.
2. Choose DVD Player > Preferences, and then click Disc Setup.
3. Choose the type of audio output you want from the "Audio output" pop-up menu.

If you choose Digital Out, DVD Player uses the digital output device you choose regardless of the setting in the Sound pane of System Preferences. If you choose System Sound Output, DVD Player uses the audio output device selected in the Sound preferences pane.

For more information about enhancing audio, click "Tell me more."

From your questions, it sounds like you may be new to the Macintosh. Generally, Mac audio output is on-board and there's no need for an external sound-card. Also, the help in OS X is really quite good, as is the engine at www.apple.com/support.

If, however, you're trying to set up a 5.1 surround project in DP, that's a different beast altogether and you should probably post in the DP forum.

Hope this helps!