5.1 Home Theater System Detected as 2.1 Speakers

BlackMustang · 06-12-2009, 09:51 PM

Just hooked up a new 5.1 home theater system to my PC using an RCA/analog adapter cable to connect them, the home theater system only had RCA outputs as is it was designed for use with TVs, consoles, dvds etc. and not computers.

At first glance everything worked great, I have excellent sound coming through the speakers and woofer, however it didn't take long to realize that the neither Windows nor my sound card was recognizing that this is a surround sound system. I have Windows Vista 64x and a Sound Blaster X-Fi Music, I have the latest drivers installed, and neither has given me a problem in any way before. Both are recognizing it as a 2.1 speaker system, with the back and center speakers being fed constant sound, while the left and right speakers change as they are supposed to.

I'm sure that its caused by the connection method. The X-Fi has two inputs in the back specifically designed for the extra speakers of a surround sound system. However, because the way the HTS is set (there is a built in amp inside the sub) I can't plug the individual speakers into the sound card, they have to go into the sub, and the sub has an outbound plug that connects into the main speaker input on the sound card.

Is there any way to work around this dilemma? I know someone out there has to have a home theater system with surround hooked up to his X-Fi...

Thanks in advance!

06-12-2009, 09:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
BlackMustang Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1 OS: Vista 64x	5.1 Home Theater System Detected as 2.1 Speakers Just hooked up a new 5.1 home theater system to my PC using an RCA/analog adapter cable to connect them, the home theater system only had RCA outputs as is it was designed for use with TVs, consoles, dvds etc. and not computers. At first glance everything worked great, I have excellent sound coming through the speakers and woofer, however it didn't take long to realize that the neither Windows nor my sound card was recognizing that this is a surround sound system. I have Windows Vista 64x and a Sound Blaster X-Fi Music, I have the latest drivers installed, and neither has given me a problem in any way before. Both are recognizing it as a 2.1 speaker system, with the back and center speakers being fed constant sound, while the left and right speakers change as they are supposed to. I'm sure that its caused by the connection method. The X-Fi has two inputs in the back specifically designed for the extra speakers of a surround sound system. However, because the way the HTS is set (there is a built in amp inside the sub) I can't plug the individual speakers into the sound card, they have to go into the sub, and the sub has an outbound plug that connects into the main speaker input on the sound card. Is there any way to work around this dilemma? I know someone out there has to have a home theater system with surround hooked up to his X-Fi... Thanks in advance!