I dont have a clue about surround sound on a PC, i need to get a new sound card that supports 5.1 and i have 5.1 surround sound linked up to my DVD player, i want to move my surround sound to my PC when i have the new sound card. But i dont know if my surround sound system can link to a pc :S on the back of the subwoofer there are Coaxial, Optical and the Aux L and R outputs, which of these is it that links to the sound card in my PC?
You will most likely want your sound system to interface with your PC through your "new" sound card via COAXIAL or OPTICAL as these can carry Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS audio formats (as well as Dolby Surround 2.0). When you go to buy a sound card, make sure at least one of these output interfaces are on the feature list. Having the necessary connections, it is then down to the software to actually use these interfaces for outputting the sound to your speaker system. Not sure how 5.1 soundcards will handle that so you'll either need to research that (on manufacturer's website) or purchase from a highstreet retailer where you can return the product if it's not exactly what you are looking for (trial and error).
Just found an article which you may want to read, be sure to read point #18 about recommended soundcards for playback of ac3/dts http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68300#post424067
Cheers mate, i managed to connect my surround sound to my PC through mu current sound card through the coaxial, but i can only have my surround sound on the "Stereo" setting if i have it on any of the other settings it come out all distorted, like im getting really bad feedback, and also because its in stereo the sound only come out of the left right and centre speakers and no sound out of the Surround Left and Surround Right speakers, any ideas why?
