Windows 7: Acer Aspire 6920G and 5.1 Speakers Setup

I have an Acer Aspire 6920G Laptop and I want to connect some Creative 5700 5.1 Speakers to it, what is the best way to do this. I have tried connecting the Inspire 5.1 decoder using a din cable and then into the laptop (via the headphone/spdif/line out socket), but I get no sound. I have been into the control panel and selected 5.1 sound, but that still does not work. The soundcard is Realtek HD Audio.

See below for some pictures of the connectors etc.

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

Any ideas on what I am doing wrong?

A step by step guide would be great.

Regards,
Jez

JezPX73, welcome to the Seven Forums.

Did you remember to set the default playback device in the Windows playback properties to SPDIF/digital? If you left it set to speakers, that could be why you're not getting any sound. Also I assume this is what you used for the connection,



It is possible that the DIN connection will only work with Creative sound cards. If that is the case try it using the single connection from above for 2 channel audio, and then use either CMSS or Dobly Prologic to upmix it to 5.1.

You might even be able to get away with the coax connection using the same single cable as above from the laptop and one of these,

For only $0.21 each when QTY 50+ purchased - RCA Plug to 3.5mm Mono Jack Adaptor - Gold Plated | 3.5mm <--> RCA Adapters

on the RCA coax jack on the bos.

Many thanks for your reply.

I will give both methods you suggest a try and let you know how I get on.

Thanks stormy13

I have purchased an optical cable and a Toslink Adaptor and the 5.1 sound now works fine.

Cheers for your help

Regards,
Jez