question about sound and sound cards

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EASY_KILL

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Does a laptop need 2 have a sound card 2 run dolby digital so round sound... The reason why I'm asking is that just bought some astro a40,s. :) But I only have a 3,5mm jack plugin, and i need 2 go out and get a optical cable adapter/converter 2 get the 7,1 digital so round sound.... But I don't think my laptop has a sound card..... So will I need 2 get an external sound card 2 ?
 
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3.5mm headphone jacks have NOTHING to do with sound quality it reproduces. Do not waste your money on a special connector or else risk getting ripped. Do not by a sound card unless its internal. Plain and simple. You cannot do that however because you are on a laptop and not a desktop. 99.9% of modern computers can do Digital surround sound. Its all up to the drivers of the product you are using and how many speakers are in the product you are using. Dont waste your money on any adapters. All laptops come with a built in microphone and headphone jack and speakers and a microphone.
 
yeah but astro says to fully get the use 7,1 so round sound u need 2 use optical sound cable and i cant pick 7,1 so round sound in the sound menu
 
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I have personally never used an astro gaming headset. The amp's I have heard that they come with are their sound cards practically. You shouldnt be having the issue of selecting it as long as you use those special amps that come with them.
 
Are you sure your headphones are selected in the devices? Thats the last thing I can think of. I wouldnt go around and buying those cheap USB audio cards. They are not as good as the ones built into your laptop.
 
When you say you cant select 7.1, is that in a program or using the mixamp? Because you might just need to update the software that (I assume) you would use with it for a laptop.
 
there is no software 2 install with the headset and i mean in my own sound settings on the laptop what can select is the mix amp pro not 7,1
 
Ah ok. So you have gone into the settings and tried there? Meaning you went into control panel, selected sounds, chose "Manage audio devices" and in there clicked on the a40's or mixamp icon (not sure which would be there). Then chose properties (should be bottom right corner of the window above apply and cancel), went to the "dolby" tab and see surround sound or 7.1? And after that it doesn't let choose it?
 
don't see dolby or so round sound 7,1 but i also have a macbook air I've looked in 2 it and it docent have a sound card.when i look into my systems information it just says this.

Intel High Definition-lyd:

Sound-id: 91

Headphones:

connection: combined exit

speaker:

connection: Internal

build in microphone:

connection: Internal

Ekstern microphone/iPhone-headset:

connection: combined exit

here,s some screens
sound out
soundout_zpsde5d1ea2.png


sound in
soundin_zps08ae1f5f.png
 
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Well I don't know a whole lot about apple OS but searching around it seems that the Air can't play games in 7.1 nor have dolby like windows OS. The best you'll get is 5.1 with the macbook. It seems your best option would be to get an external sound card but I'd only suggest that if you plan on playing a lot games and watching several movies to make it worth purchasing one.
 
Just so you know, Dolby digital surround for headsets is simply an audio effect applied to a stereo audio source. Your headset only has 2 drivers, one in each ear, so it is physically incapable of producing a pure surround sound audio stream.

The Mixamp pro should connect to your computer via USB and then the headset should plug directly into the mix amp. You do not need to purchase an optical cable because you mac book doesn't have an optical audio out.

There is a button on top of the Mixamp that looks like the Dolby logo wearing a set of headphones. When this button is pressed it should activate the surround sound effect. Simple as that. All you need to do from the computer's end is select the Mixamp Pro as the audio input / output which it looks like you have already done.

From the Dolby website, talking about Dolby digital surround:
-Transforms two-channel (stereo) content into surround sound when combined with Dolby Pro Logic II
-Delivers 7.1-channel surround experience from content pre-processed with Dolby Pro Logic II
Click to expand...
Pro Logic II is integrated into the Mixamp so you simply plug a stereo audio source in and it outputs in virtual surround.

http://www.dolby.com/us/en/consumer/technology/home-theater/dolby-headphone.html

http://www.dolby.com/us/en/consumer/technology/home-theater/dolby-pro-logic-ii.html

It's confusing to get your head around but I hope that helps a bit.
 
well okay just don't really sound like so round sound 2 me. But maybe I'm just not a big enough audiophile 2 hear it.... Also the equalizer button docent make a difference at all in source games but i talked 2 astro about that. And they say that steam our the source games will not let the mix amp alter any sound settings...
 
Yes, i have my 5.1 surround sound working via a 3.5mm to rca cable. Works just fine in BF3 and movies
 
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