Xbox 360 Toslink output to Computer Problem

slychicken37 · 01-15-2009, 01:01 PM

First off the Setup

Dell E530 (2.33 Ghz Dual Core E6500)
3 GB 667Mhz ram
256Mb 8600GT Video Card
Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Extreme Audio PCI-Express
Logitech G51 Speakers
Xbox 360 Pro, with Optical Out (toslink)

Currently I have my Xbox 360 hooked up to play through my computers audio system as well as plug into my computer LCD screen. All was fine until I decided I wanted to switch to fully digital 5.1 sound for my xbox experience. Originally I had a Y-splitter and ran both RCA jacks into a mini port with the Motherboards On-board RealTek 7.1 surround sound system, which worked fine but was not true surround sound as it was two RCA's into a 3.5mm mini plug. So, I went out and bought the Soundblaster X-fi PCI-e card because it had the Toslink Digital Input port, which I knew I could send a toslink signal cable from the xbox 360 to get true 5.1 surround sound.

However, it is not working. Once I hooked up to the Toslink digital input, I was able to get sound only when my xbox is selected on Dolby Digital (Stereo). As soon as I turn the xbox 360 to Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the speakers emit a loud squeel until I reselect the stereo mode.

Originally I thought it was a conflict between the Soundblaster and the RealTek onboard sound, but even after going into the BIOS and disabling the onboard sound, I have the exact same problem.

Please help, as I am at my wits end. Honestly I am about to return everything and go back to my crappy 2.1 setup.

Thanks,

slychicken37

vorianalton · 09-20-2009, 08:23 PM

I have exactly the same problem. Does anyone knows what is wrong?

slychicken37 · 09-21-2009, 06:08 AM

Yes I do know the problem but you will not like the answer. Apparently that particular sound card (and most) will not decode digital 5.1 sound while streaming. However there are some higher end cards that will meet this criteria if you search around.

Myself, I went andbought a logitech Z-5500 sound system that has optical inputs directly into the control panel which bypasses my computer completely. I found a referbishef one on Amazon for a very reasonable price.

Hope this helps.

01-15-2009, 01:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
slychicken37 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Vista 32-Bit	Xbox 360 Toslink output to Computer Problem First off the Setup Dell E530 (2.33 Ghz Dual Core E6500) 3 GB 667Mhz ram 256Mb 8600GT Video Card Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Extreme Audio PCI-Express Logitech G51 Speakers Xbox 360 Pro, with Optical Out (toslink) Currently I have my Xbox 360 hooked up to play through my computers audio system as well as plug into my computer LCD screen. All was fine until I decided I wanted to switch to fully digital 5.1 sound for my xbox experience. Originally I had a Y-splitter and ran both RCA jacks into a mini port with the Motherboards On-board RealTek 7.1 surround sound system, which worked fine but was not true surround sound as it was two RCA's into a 3.5mm mini plug. So, I went out and bought the Soundblaster X-fi PCI-e card because it had the Toslink Digital Input port, which I knew I could send a toslink signal cable from the xbox 360 to get true 5.1 surround sound. However, it is not working. Once I hooked up to the Toslink digital input, I was able to get sound only when my xbox is selected on Dolby Digital (Stereo). As soon as I turn the xbox 360 to Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the speakers emit a loud squeel until I reselect the stereo mode. Originally I thought it was a conflict between the Soundblaster and the RealTek onboard sound, but even after going into the BIOS and disabling the onboard sound, I have the exact same problem. Please help, as I am at my wits end. Honestly I am about to return everything and go back to my crappy 2.1 setup. Thanks, slychicken37

09-20-2009, 08:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
vorianalton Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1 OS: Windows 7 32 bits	Re: Xbox 360 Toslink output to Computer Problem I have exactly the same problem. Does anyone knows what is wrong?

09-21-2009, 06:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
slychicken37 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Vista 32-Bit	Re: Xbox 360 Toslink output to Computer Problem Yes I do know the problem but you will not like the answer. Apparently that particular sound card (and most) will not decode digital 5.1 sound while streaming. However there are some higher end cards that will meet this criteria if you search around. Myself, I went andbought a logitech Z-5500 sound system that has optical inputs directly into the control panel which bypasses my computer completely. I found a referbishef one on Amazon for a very reasonable price. Hope this helps.