1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Connecting up a 5.1 surround sound system to xbox

Discussion in 'Xbox - General discussion' started by 80smetal, Feb 12, 2007.

  1. 80smetal

    80smetal Guest

    Hello, i just bought an xbox recently so i am still learning.
    When i bought my xbox used it came with an advanced AV pack, which apparently is used for connecting up better speakers. I am thinking of buying a set of small, mid-range, out of the box set of speakers.
    Nothing too glamorous or expensive as it is only in my small bedroom and i don't want to spend heaps of money. I can mount the speakers around my room and the sub will sit near my bed.
    At the moment i am using my humble 51cm Samsung TV with a MONO speaker ,lol. It was alright for playstation but for xbox, well your missing out on a lot of sound effects, thunderous bass and dynamic sound. A mono TV speaker just doesn't do the xbox any justice if you know what i mean, lol.
    Now my question - Does the Xbox incorporate its own internal dolby digital decoding or do i have to buy an amplifier/speaker package that includes it's own dolby digital?
    thanks for the replies, cheers.
     
  2. steimy

    steimy Active member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2004
    Messages:
    12,011
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    96
    http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/advancedavpack.htm
    is that what you mean? if so it reall has nothing to do with what you are trying to accompish. And the only way to do it right is going to cost you some money.

    Best solution is a decent receiver with a 5.1 surround sound system.
    most systems plug in using bare wires to a receiver. The only other system i can think of you can get pretty cheap but it will not be TRUE surround sound, just more vibrant stereo.
    It is a system i saw at Wal_mart. All the speakers plug into the sub box, then from that you can run either RCA cables (red & white) if your TV has outputs for them. or it can be hooked up with one plug to a headphone jack.
    So it depends if you want ok sound for $50 or great sound that will really put you in the game for $150

    Just make sure your TV has the RCA output because without that a receiver may be your only choice.

    examples:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16882125043
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16882103093
    http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4810706
    and here is the cheap Wal-Mart one i said i bought to hold me over until i bought a good one. I used it on my PC.
    It doesn't sound half- bad for a cheap-o system. Much better than one mono TV speaker.
    http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4810671
    what you would do with those is run the sound from Xbox to the sub box, and the picture to the TV. and it has a remote to adjust sound levels for the speakers.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2007
  3. 80smetal

    80smetal Guest

    Thanks for the reply.
    Yes, i think i would just get something to the cheap Wal-mart speakers. I like the "out of a box, ready to go" speaker setups.
    They are very reasonably priced, sound good enough to my ears, and are easy to set-up. I might even pay a bit more and get something with embedded dolby 5.1 surround sound. It will make all the difference, and will sound like 'true' 5.1 surround sound, which is needed for games like Doom III.

    You could spend thousands of dollars for a seperate receiver/amplifier and purchase top end speakers but that is really not what i need. It is only going in my bedroom, space is limited, and my budget is limited aswell. The more expensive systems are better suited for family sized rooms and people seeking pure cinematic audio reproduction. I will just be using it for casual gaming and to watch movies on occasionally.

    So that answers my original question - That the xbox does not provide a 5.1 dolby output, and you have to buy the seperate audio hardware for it work.
     
  4. steimy

    steimy Active member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2004
    Messages:
    12,011
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    96
    it will output in surround: But only through an opticalo audio cable which you would need a high end TV or receiver for.
    http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox/console/surroundsound.htm

    I have that $40 Wal-Mart set as well and it will do just fine for what you need. Just plug your red & white audio cables into the DVD (RCA jacks) slot on the back of the sub box and wire the speakers to that as per the instructions and your ready to go. The yellow video cord would of course still go to the TV.
    It may not be true surround sound but it will blow away the mono TV speakert your using now.

    My audio is not through a digital cable, but it runs into a receiver which will output the surround. I have everything i own running through that thing. PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, DVD player and the TV
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2007

Share This Page