I dont know much about SP/DIF's and according to what ive been reading.....

[Balefor]

I have been reading up on true surround sound speakers and cards, and I have both.. A soundblaster Audigy Gamer 5.1 24-bit Surround Card, with 5.1 speakers, the only problem is ive been reading that in order to get true surround sound you need SPDIF cables. I wouldnt even know where to begin to look for them for the computer im using, and id love to achieve true surround sound on my speakers.....The other question i have is where do I connect the SPDIF cable once I get from a website someone gives me if they are willing to point me in the right direction? I didnt know that true surround sound required a SPDIF cable when i bought my sound card and speakers almost 4-5 years ago now...It wasnt widley known knowledge then at least to me and from what i remember they were damn expensive too. Can anybody help me out?

[serega]

I do not know lot about them too but I've seen many different type of them at frys. You can google it, there are a lot of information on internet.

[redwudz]

Three ways I know to surround sound from a sound card. The old way would be separate cables for each channel. I have a receiver that still uses this. A few cards like this may have a 'dongle' or large plug that comes from the sound card to the amplifier as a adapter for the six or so cables for the separate channels.

Most cards now have either a single 'optical', (fiber optic) or what they call 'coaxial' output. The optical is easy to recognize as it is usually squarish and has a plug covering the jack. Most use visible light, so you may see the red light if the plug is removed and the connection is active.

Coaxial looks just like a RCA jack for audio cables. It usually is color coded orange. Either the optical or the coaxial operate basically the same. Your surround sound amplifier decodes the signal and splits it into the 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 surround sound channels to feed the speakers.

S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) is just the digital output from the card, AFAIK, either optical or coaxial. The advantage for optical is no chance of interference. Either format has more than enough bandwidth for audio. Optical tends to use shorter cables that can be fragile. Coaxial uses a special cable, but actually, most any RCA audio cable will work fine for short runs. Which input your amplifier has and output format of your sound card may decide which you need to use.

For proper surround sound you need at least the two front stereo channels, the two rear channels and a separate center channel. Some systems also have a separate subwoofer channel. Most surround sound is better done with a surround sound audio amplifier or receiver. Powered computer speakers will work, but often lack the power or tonal range of a standalone surround sound audio system that is part of a 'Home theater' sound system.

[Balefor]

thak you very much redwuz. I know to consukt with you further when I have more questions to ask.