Getting 5.1 Surround Sound from HDMI output from Computer

Hi guys, when hooking up my computer to the tv, the sound by default comes out as stereo.
I've just bought a receiver and was wondering how do I get 5.1 surround from the output.

And just hypothetically speaking, if a "friend" of mine has downloaded mp4/avi files in the past, are they 5.1 compatible already?

Comments

  • Hook your computer HDMI output to the receiver's input, and another HDMI from receiver to TV.
    On your computer you'll need to check under 'Playback Devices' that it is using your receiver as default speakers and configured as 5.1

    Your theoretical files will need to have 5.1 audio channels. Files with 2 audio channels can be forced through 5 channels but that's not true surround sound.

  • If you want to check if the file is stereo of 5.1: right click it - goto properties - click details tab. It will tell you how many channels the audio is for the file (in Windows OS).

  • thank you all for the info!

    • You can use a program called MediaInfo to see what channels/codecs the file is using. You'll be able to see what channels are used under More Information —>

  • I suggest also getting a speaker test video that shows you which channel it is playing for. I can't remember where I got mine, but searching did it. Made a difference in setting it up!

    You might also want to make sure that your mobo or graphics card has 5.1 output. Probably does, but worth a look.

    Enjoy, it's pretty great. I set this up earlier this year.

  • Ok, i've finally actually got the equipment and still stuck. Coming out of the 2.1 but not 5.1. Centre and Rears are doing nothing. However, when I plug it the hdmi output cable and test it, testing it on the configuration test in 5.1 gives me the other channels. Only when playing itunes and even in airplay, it doesn't want to use the rears and centrals.
    Is it because the sources i'm using are only 2.1? I can accept that, but how do i force it output false surround to utilise the other speakers?

    EDIT** further tests, I have the digital audio cable to supply the TV's audio input into the amp but it too doesn't have surround, just the FL and FR speakers. Completely out of my depth =) Any advice is greatly appreciated

    • ok this moron's worked it out. Just a setting on the amp to change it to "multi channel stereo". idddddiot.

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