How do I get analog 5.1 Surround from an Xbox 360?

[zeek543]

Hey everyone,

I have a Logitech 5.1 analong souround sound set. It can take in either rca audio or 3.5 mm stereo audio (computer sized) plugs. It is an analog only system however.

I have a xbox 360 that I would like to hook up to that sound system in order to get 5.1 surround sound from games and such. I currently use the HD component video from the xbox 360 out to my hdtv (b/c the tv has no hdmi). This means I only have the rca stereo audio out from the xbox 360.

So, is there a cable that I can buy that would allow me to output HD component video and analog 5.1 sound from the xbox 360?
From my searches, I haven't yet found one sadly.

So, if there is no way to get analog 5.1 out, is there a way to get digital 5.1 out along with component hd video? Then, is there a Digital-to-analog sound converter? (which I would then use to connect to my sound system.)
I saw that creative had a DAC sound converter but no longer makes it (as far as I can tell).

I do have an old Sony 5.1 Receiver (model: STR-K850P ), which can accept digital optical sound, rca stereo sound, and coaxial digital sound, as well as a take in/ put out HD component video, and SD s-video and composite video. But it only put out stereo RCA sound and 5.1 sound via those screw in wire holder thingys (i don't know what they are called, but its the default output). So I won't be able to but 5.1 analog out to my logitech system with this.
But still, is there a component hd video + digital audio cord for the xbox 360?

Finally, if I could get a component hd video + digital audio cord for the xbox 360, could I output 5.1 via an optical cord to my computer's motherboard (Gigabyte P35-DS3P) and then output 5.1 via its outputs to my logitech 5.1 system?

I really appreciate any help given here. I am stuck on this, and it would complete my entertainment system!


----

side-note:
If I got another TV with HDMI (which typical have rca stereo out too), could I use hdmi for the video from the xbox 360 and then is there a cord for the xbox 360 that would let me output 5.1 in some way seperate from the hdmi cord?

If not, is the only way to get 5.1 from the xbox 360 to use hdmi to a hdmi receiver? I hope not!


Thanks again! Oh and sry if post is in wrong section (I couldn't tell where to put it!).

[yoda313]

You don't need anything extra. As long as your stereo already has the fiber optic input jack then you can use your existing hd component cable on the 360.

I was using that cable before I got the vga cable (I use the vga cable instead of component so I can get 1360x768 resolution which to me looks better on my hdtv).

On the component cable for the 360 there is a small little port on it next to the cable itself. THAT is your fiber optic output jack. Simply insert any fiber optic cable into that small black jack and then put the other end into the input on your stereo receiver and you are all set.

Trust me that is how I do it without a hdmi receiver. Two reasons - 1 I don't have a hdmi receiver and 2 - I don't have a hdmi xbox 360 - hence the reason I use a vga cable for my 360, offers my best resolution choice for my 1080i tv (1366x768 resolution fyi).

EDIT - Here is a picture of what I am talking about:



That little port on the side of the unit is the output jack.

[zeek543]

yoda313,

Yes, you are right! I total neglected the fact that the Component cord has the optical out! silly me, sorry about that. So, that solves some of my questions. Thanks!

-----But-----

Still, is there anyway, including the methods I asked about in my original post, to get 5.1 sound from the xbox 360 to my analog Logitech 5.1 system (X-540)?

I'm researching the method involving my computer. (hooking the optical 5.1 sound from the 360 to my computer, then analog 5.1 from the computer to the logitech system.)

I would prefer to use the Logitech system and not the Sony Receiver.

[yoda313]

Glad to help.

First of all you would need a fiber optic input jack on your soundcard on the computer. If you don't this won't work.

Other option is to try to connect your logitech speakers to your sony instead of the computer. That way the sony does the digital decoding and you can use your logitech speakers without the computer in the way.

[zeek543]

well, yes, the computer does have the optical input. However, I am not certain whether it will take the 5.1 digital input, decode it, and allow me to output analog 5.1 to my logitech system.

The logitch system will only take analog audio, but is a 5.1 system (so no decoding abilities).

The Sony receiver can take optical, coaxial, and rca audio inputs. It will do dolby and 5.1 out to its own speakers via regular old speaker wire.
But it has no rca nor stereo mini output. that means I can't use my logitech speakers with it. If I use the sony system, I might as well just trash my logitech system.

I want to use the logitech system if at all possible. I am going to see what happens when I hook the optical cord from the 360 to the computer, and then have the 3 stereo mini plugs to the logitech 5.1 system.
My hope is that the computer will decode the digital 5.1 and output analog 5.1 to my logitech surround sound system.
I wonder if I need to buy decoding software to do this? I am running XP Pro SP3. If so, any free solutions?

Again, my mobo is a Gigbyte P35-DS3P with onboard HD audio.

Thanks again for any more help!

[zeek543]

any one else have any ideas?