pc 5.1 audio

[tobias04]

Hi, so basically I have a pc that has a software that runs 5.1 audio through an external 5.1 sound card from cmedia which then runs RCA to my speakers and basically one my Dolby accesses  does not support it because its USB not HDMI and 2 there is a lack of support for 5.1 audio in streaming service's on pc now is there a way that i can change that with software or is there a way that i can plug my chrome cast into the back of my pc with a piece of hardware that both supports obviously video and the 5.1 audio or will it only do stereo  

[Omon_Ra]

One pair of RCAs will only do stereo (left/right). You'd need 3 pairs of RCA's to do proper 5.1. 1 pair for fronts, 1 pair for rears, and 1 pair (or just one single RCA, since it's actually only one channel) for center/subwoofer (typically the subwoofer will have a low-pass filter so it only does the low-end frequencies). If the source audio is not 5.1 encoded, you'd need something to convert it to 5.1. And typically then all it does is 'mirror' the front left/right to the rear left/right, so it's not necessarily 'true 5.1.' You'd need an A/V receiver to plug your Chromecast into; the receiver will do the decoding and mixing to 5.1. And then you'd obviously need all of the speakers for the respective channels as well.

 

Atmos is at least two additional channels, typically notated as 5.1.2 (or 5.1.4, depending on the setup). Again, the content needs to be Atmos encoded, and the audio playback device needs to have the Atmos decoder. IMO Atmos isn't really worth it until you have a solid 5.1 setup. And even then, unless you're building/remodeling a specific media room, it can be pretty tricky to get it setup properly. I haven't come across a situation where a good 5.1 or 7.1 setup feels lacking without Atmos. It's a very subtle addition.

[Cocococo]

37 minutes ago, Omon_Ra said:

One pair of RCAs will only do stereo (left/right). You'd need 3 pairs of RCA's to do proper 5.1. 1 pair for fronts, 1 pair for rears, and 1 pair (or just one single RCA, since it's actually only one channel) for center/subwoofer (typically the subwoofer will have a low-pass filter so it only does the low-end frequencies). If the source audio is not 5.1 encoded, you'd need something to convert it to 5.1. And typically then all it does is 'mirror' the front left/right to the rear left/right, so it's not necessarily 'true 5.1.' You'd need an A/V receiver to plug your Chromecast into; the receiver will do the decoding and mixing to 5.1. And then you'd obviously need all of the speakers for the respective channels as well.

 

Atmos is at least two additional channels, typically notated as 5.1.2 (or 5.1.4, depending on the setup). Again, the content needs to be Atmos encoded, and the audio playback device needs to have the Atmos decoder. IMO Atmos isn't really worth it until you have a solid 5.1 setup. And even then, unless you're building/remodeling a specific media room, it can be pretty tricky to get it setup properly. I haven't come across a situation where a good 5.1 or 7.1 setup feels lacking without Atmos. It's a very subtle addition.

This is the best beginner friendly Atmos explanation i've seen, even solved a few questions i didn't know i had about Atmos. Definitely saving this in the unlikely event i can make myself any kind of surround setup

[tobias04]

On 11/13/2023 at 10:58 AM, Omon_Ra said:

One pair of RCAs will only do stereo (left/right). You'd need 3 pairs of RCA's to do proper 5.1. 1 pair for fronts, 1 pair for rears, and 1 pair (or just one single RCA, since it's actually only one channel) for center/subwoofer (typically the subwoofer will have a low-pass filter so it only does the low-end frequencies). If the source audio is not 5.1 encoded, you'd need something to convert it to 5.1. And typically then all it does is 'mirror' the front left/right to the rear left/right, so it's not necessarily 'true 5.1.' You'd need an A/V receiver to plug your Chromecast into; the receiver will do the decoding and mixing to 5.1. And then you'd obviously need all of the speakers for the respective channels as well.

 

Atmos is at least two additional channels, typically notated as 5.1.2 (or 5.1.4, depending on the setup). Again, the content needs to be Atmos encoded, and the audio playback device needs to have the Atmos decoder. IMO Atmos isn't really worth it until you have a solid 5.1 setup. And even then, unless you're building/remodeling a specific media room, it can be pretty tricky to get it setup properly. I haven't come across a situation where a good 5.1 or 7.1 setup feels lacking without Atmos. It's a very subtle addition.

yea i have the three pairs of rca that is connected to this weird sub that is technically a basic 5.1 reciever but i do also have a normal reciever but i couldnt get it working that is why i went to the other solution and it does work it does do netflix in true 5.1 i just need solutions to the lack of avalability of streaming services with the support of 5.1 and a chrome cast is all i can think of so yea maybe i just have to get a new reciver i think the one i bought is just out right broken i did get it working once but for some reason the audio was super weird as if it was voice isolated