CSS no 5.1ch sound with X-Fi optical connectors..

[mildten]

Hello
I start playing CS:source but notice that I cant really get 5.1ch sound.
I can hear front left, center, and right, but no rears.

I'm connection from optical connectors on X-FI Platinum front drive to my cheap Home Theater system.

Should I get better amp and speakers?

 

[Gryphyn]

I think your problem is a misunderstanding of how the optical out works. If I have my guess right, the optical surround out on the X-fi will only produce surround sound if whatever you are doing is encoded with dolby digital.

For example, if you are watching a DVD on your computer that is in surround, it will send that information through the optical ports and your receiver will decode it. However, games are not typically running dolby digital. The sound sent out when playing them will only be 2.1.

To get surround from your computer while playing games, you'll need to hook up the analog out into the multi channel in ports on your receiver if you have them.

Hope that helps!