Logitech Z-5500 Digital Soundroom

[DanishDevil]

S/PDIF stands for Sony/Phillips Digital InterFace. This takes the form of either an Optical, TOSLINK (which is really optical, but just a different connector), or Coaxial audio connector. They look like this:

The left two (white and red) are what you see on televisions, normally next to a yellow one, which is video. In this picture, the yellow is Coaxial Audio, and to the right is Optical audio. You can use a yellow cable that you use with your VCR for Coaxial Audio, and you need an optical cable for an optical connection.

TOSLINK consists of an adapter that goes from a TOSLINK capable coaxial audio port (and less traditionally, a 3.5mm headphone jack like on most computers and MP3 players) which allows an optical cable to be attached.

All audio connectivity except for Optical is transmitted through wires, while optical is just what it sounds like. Sound is transmitted by light.

 

[Mussels]

It's also got an S/PDIF Digital output...

I checked the specs:
Built-in Intel® High Definition 5.1CH Sound System
S/PDIF Digital output
1 Built-in Microphone
4 Built-in Speakers

I'm a noob when it comes to audio connections... I saw the image on wikipedia and the connector looks very different from the headphone one?

Am I confusing things up?

since it doesnt say optical or not, it could be optical (look for a red glow) or it could be a coax. Coax could be confused for a TV out, since they use the same RCA connector.

 

[Black Panther]

So I'm guessing the S/PDIF is the one between the blue and the pink?

(Sorry for the blurred image)

I powered up the laptop but I don't see a red glow inside the hole.

Edit: here's a better picture I found online

 

[Mussels]

yep that would indeed be the digital port, thats what the symbol indicates. Thats not the normal connector the Z5500's have, so you'll need some kind of adaptor i guess.

Anyone recognise that port, or know where to find an adaptor?

 

[will]

yep that would indeed be the digital port, thats what the symbol indicates. Thats not the normal connector the Z5500's have, so you'll need some kind of adaptor i guess.

Anyone recognise that port, or know where to find an adaptor?

You probably need a 3.5mm to coax adapter, I think you can just use a 3.5mm to phono cable though, they're really cheap and easy to find. Well thats how it works on my Audigy 2ZS anyway...

 

[DanishDevil]

I have never seen that type of connector before. Email the company that built your laptop and ask them what type of adapter you need to run an Optical or Coaxial line out.

Try something for me. Mess with the sound settings on the laptop and enable and set the default audio device as the digital out. Then play some sounds and watch for a red light in that port.

Left is coaxial, right is optical. If that port glows red like that, you undoubtably need a TOSLINK adapter for a 3.5mm output (and of course an optical cable).

 

[twicksisted]

it could be a coaxial digital port as it has no optical light on it.... so perhaps a small 3'5" digital coaxial to RCA ciax cable would do the trick...
Its definately not optical or youd see the light beam in it

 

[Mussels]

agreed with twicksisted, i too beleive its a coaxial and not an optical, therefore no red light.

 

[Jasper005]

Dolby Digital Live Pack

Hi Guys,

Was wondering now that the Dolby Digital Live Pack is available whether its worth me splashing out on a digital cable for my X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty and Z-5500s?

Does any one know if the live pack works with Vista 64bit?

Also what kind of cable would you recommend. If any at all. My PC is mostly used for games and Mp3 music, but I would still want 5.1 sound which I think is what the live pack enables? Sorry don't have much of a clue about digital outputs!

Thanks!

http://buy.soundblaster.com/_creati...ail&category=Software&pid=F2222DDN6Z2H2ADDEZD

 

[Deleted member 24505]

For my soundcard,i just made a small lead with a headphone 3.5mm plug on one end,and a phono socket(female) on the other.And i am using the thick yellow video cable that came with my graphics card to connect from that to my amp.

 

[Mussels]

Hi Guys,

Was wondering now that the Dolby Digital Live Pack is available whether its worth me splashing out on a digital cable for my X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty and Z-5500s?

Does any one know if the live pack works with Vista 64bit?

Also what kind of cable would you recommend. If any at all. My PC is mostly used for games and Mp3 music, but I would still want 5.1 sound which I think is what the live pack enables? Sorry don't have much of a clue about digital outputs!

Thanks!

http://buy.soundblaster.com/_creati...ail&category=Software&pid=F2222DDN6Z2H2ADDEZD

MP3's will never be 5.1. I beleive the 'Live' pack, will allow dolby digital encoding like my auzentech has - basically, that translates analogue 5.1 signals (such as games) into 5.1 digital signals (which home theater speakers (such as the Z5500) use)

 

[Jasper005]

Will it still allow my sound card to up mix mp3s to 5.1 if I use the live pack like it does at the moment with my analogue connections?

Also do you think the quality difference is worth the cost of the cable?

Thanks

 

[Mussels]

Will it still allow my sound card to up mix mp3s to 5.1 if I use the live pack like it does at the moment with my analogue connections?

Also do you think the quality difference is worth the cost of the cable?

Thanks

if your sound card has upmixing, then yes. In my case, once i enable dolby digital encoding i lose the ability to upmix, without first disabling the encoding (its tricking the speakers into thinking its always 5.1, so if theres no signal they're just blank/empty)

Digital vs analogue depends on the speakers, really. Assuming you have Z5500's, which this thread is about then yes, i get better quality over digital. I have less background hiss through the speakers and it does sound a bit clearer.

 

[DanishDevil]

OK guys, since I've been overseas for a while, and I'm coming back to the US for a little while, I want to make it up to those who I have not yet added to the members list. Please post here if you have not yet been added, and I'll get you on here within the next few weeks.

 

[Cold Storm]

You haven't added me Double D.

QUOTE=Cold Storm;1002145]All right guys. I've set it all up. Have the pictures!

Cold Storm
1. Device: Auzentech X-plosion 7.1 Modded
2. System Firmware: V.2.1.0
3. M/N: S-0115A
4. PID: R738
5. Speaker connection: Speaker Wire
6. Boost 22: Yes
7. Anime, Movies, Rap, Rock

Took the pictures from my picture phone... lmao...[/QUOTE]

And, since I got my new camera. A better picture of my setup. Don't mind the stuff behind my desk... Just learned about it after looking at the picture.

 

[DanishDevil]

You haven't added me Double D.

Added now

Sorry for the delay.

 

[Mussels]

you need a better camera, cold storm.

 

[DanishDevil]

Maybe you should buy a Digital SLR and join my new TPU club

 

[JrRacinFan]

DD,

I have a few questions regarding the setup. Can I use these in conjunction with my HDTV? it has a headphone jack and SPDIF out. Also, the onboard audio on the DFI has an optical out, but you knew that already.

 

[Mussels]

DD,

I have a few questions regarding the setup. Can I use these in conjunction with my HDTV? it has a headphone jack and SPDIF out. Also, the onboard audio on the DFI has an optical out, but you knew that already.

check my setup. thats how i do it.

The SPDIF out of your TV should work, but my samsung fails and doesnt pass through 5.1 signals - only 2.0. You're better off using the motherboards SPDIF output for movies, with the analogue for games.

 

[DanishDevil]

You will be able to, but check with your TV's manufacturer to make sure that the sound will output 5.1. It also depends on your source. In order to have 5.1 sound, you need to keep it 5.1 from the source all the way to the speakers. Tell me your entire HDTV setup, including your sources and players.

It will work wonders with the DFI. How I used it.

 

[Cold Storm]

you need a better camera, cold storm.

Maybe you should buy a Digital SLR and join my new TPU club

The one in the Quote was from my cell phone... And the last one was from my new camera I just bought. Nikon P60.. I got it last night... So still working out it's bugs

Another image to show ya with the new camera

 

[DanishDevil]

Nice! Come join the TPU Darkroom! (in da sig)

 

[Legend of Leroy Bad]

So just to make sure...noone has experienced lower volume with the Music Port than the 3 stereo inputs on the back?

 

[Mussels]

So just to make sure...noone has experienced lower volume with the Music Port than the 3 stereo inputs on the back?

you mean the input on the side of the head unit? never used it.