I don't get surround sound from optical output / pc games??

[SNAAKE]

do I need a sound card? I get dolby/dts surround sound from movies with vlc player but never from games. its always stereo. I have onboard optical audio out and my receiver doesn't have hdmi input either. do I need to buy a separate sound card just for games? and recommendation? not trying to spend to much for...sound

[bulbousbeard]

It's because your movies are encoded in Dolby Digital, DTS, etc., so your receiver gets the stream in a format it can decode.

Normal PC game sound isn't encoded in any standard home theater format; it's just raw sound.

What you need is a motherboard that has Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect. This converts your PC audio to a Dolby Digital or DTS stream on the fly, so your receiver can decode it as surround. There are also soundcards that do this.

NEVER buy a motherboard that doesn't have Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect. It's mandatory, in my opinion.

[SNAAKE]

ok so whats my other option without replacing the board? get a soundcard..this will do the trick?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829186003

according to reviews it doesn't actually output 5.1 digital sound and only does it through analog. not sure why the port is even there

any other card recommendation (cheap cheap plz lol)  ?

[bulbousbeard]

The port is there because it'll work with movies and software whose sound is actually encoded in DTS or DD already.

The sound card you linked doesn't have DTS Connect or Dolby Digital Live. It'll have the same issue as your motherboard.

http://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=68520

You're going to end up paying around 70 smackers for a sound card with DTS Connect / Dolby Digital Live on it.

I actually have an extra one of these lying around collecting dust right now:
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Titanium-Internal-SB1270/dp/B0041OUA38

Maybe you'd be interested in a trade or buying it?

[SNAAKE]

I actually have an extra one of these lying around collecting dust right now:
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Titanium-Internal-SB1270/dp/B0041OUA38

Maybe you'd be interested in a trade or buying it?

does it have "coaxial" or something that will work for me? my receiver has optical and "coaxial". the connector is orange its supposed to work same as the optical port. sure Id trade or buy it. verify it for me. I will see what I can get you.

according to amazon description it comes with optical cable. guessing one of those port is what I need?

[SNAAKE]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=29-132-020

will this work? I am not sure sure lol..
didn't buy one yet because I am not really playing anything on pc but eventually I will need a card for mgs5.