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How can I get my XBOX 5.1 surround to work? help!

I just bought a new home theater system. The problem is, the reciever does'nt have the hook up for the fiber optic cable that the XBOX requires to enable Dolby Didgital for it. Is there ANY other way to hook it up, or sometype of adaptor I can buy?

please help.

Thanks
 
You might need to buy an adaptor for the Xbox. In the UK it's only available with the Xbox RGB scart or component leads so I don't know what it's like where you are

The RGB lead has a breakout box for an optical cable:
B00005TRYX.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
 
123rl said:
You might need to buy an adaptor for the Xbox. In the UK it's only available with the Xbox RGB scart or component leads so I don't know what it's like where you are

The RGB lead has a breakout box for an optical cable:
B00005TRYX.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg


Sorry guys, I should have worded it better. All I need to know is how to connect the fiber optic cable to my Reciever that does'nt have an input for it.
 
You mean the receiver doesn't have an optical in?? What kind of surround receiver is that?
I have an entry-level surround receiver(measly 5x30W) and it has 3 optical inputs..
 
123rl said:
Beaten to it...

What amplifier is it? Can you find a list of specs? Does it have any digital inputs?


Its a Pioneer that has all the bells and whistles, EXCEPT the damn input for a fiber optic cable on the reciever/DVD player.
 
super-heated plasma said:
Sorry guys, I should have worded it better. All I need to know is how to connect the fiber optic cable to my Reciever that does'nt have an input for it.

Hmm...does it have a coaxial input? You can buy optical>coaxial convertors for not much money
 
super-heated plasma said:
Its a Pioneer that has all the bells and whistles, EXCEPT the damn input for a fiber optic cable on the reciever/DVD player.

What's the model name? If I were you I would return it and get another one which has an optical input. Better get a standalone receiver than all in one kind of thing, that's what I did anyway. You have better control of the surround speakers that way too (more settings and everything).

edit: I don't think it's that trivial to convert between coaxial and optical, it should cost at least around $50 IMHO..
 
Heh it doesn't have all the bells and whistles and should be questioned about keeping if it doesn't have digital optical input. If you have to pay money for a converter, you might want to consider investing in an Audio Authority auto sensing component video switch box. That will take in both coax and optical and convert it in both directions automatically. I figure if you're already investing the money to begin with this might help.
 
Marty Chinn said:
Heh it doesn't have all the bells and whistles and should be questioned about keeping if it doesn't have digital optical input. If you have to pay money for a converter, you might want to consider investing in an Audio Authority auto sensing component video switch box. That will take in both coax and optical and convert it in both directions automatically. I figure if you're already investing the money to begin with this might help.

You have to keep in mind the age of the unit as well (he didn't specify). I have a $2000 Yamaha amplifier from when Dolby Digital was "new" (it only does 5.1; DTS, etc wasn't out when I got it). It only has ONE optical input, despite having a million other inputs... because optical was so high end when this amp was new, that it was just too expensive to include more... especially since nothing used it yet. So maybe thats the case here. My amplifier still sounds loads better than many $1000 or less new units, so I feel zero need to upgrade it. But that doesnt stop me from having problems with only 1 optical input :)
 
Oracle Dragon said:
You have to keep in mind the age of the unit as well (he didn't specify). I have a $2000 Yamaha amplifier from when Dolby Digital was "new" (it only does 5.1; DTS, etc wasn't out when I got it). It only has ONE optical input, despite having a million other inputs... because optical was so high end when this amp was new, that it was just too expensive to include more... especially since nothing used it yet. So maybe thats the case here. My amplifier still sounds loads better than many $1000 or less new units, so I feel zero need to upgrade it. But that doesnt stop me from having problems with only 1 optical input :)


I wish I could say age was a factor, but I just bought this system brand new at best Buy. it a Pioneer 600 watt home theater system.
 
That is so strange that it doesn't come with any kind of opticle port.

What exactly is the model number of that system?
 
what is more strange is why xbox, ps2 etc do not have coax out of the box. I dont want to deal with shitty toslink optical...
 
Don't bother if you don't want to blow $20 xbox cable + $20 digital audio. Unless you have a very good system it will not make a difference. It even depends on the games. IMHO stereo is fine for 90% of games.

I got a DPLII for Star Wars and Dolby 5.1 for Halo. You honestly can't tell the difference unless positional audio is a must have for sneaking like Metal Gear Solid 3.
 
acidviper said:
Don't bother if you don't want to blow $20 xbox cable + $20 digital audio. Unless you have a very good system it will not make a difference. It even depends on the games. IMHO stereo is fine for 90% of games.

I got a DPLII for Star Wars and Dolby 5.1 for Halo. You honestly can't tell the difference unless positional audio is a must have for sneaking like Metal Gear Solid 3.

For most xbox games surround makes such a big difference, I wouldn't think of playing with stereo ever again. I also have rather entry-level surround system as well.
 
super-heated plasma said:
I know. I sure hope the next gen consoles don't have that problem.

I really doubt that the next gen consoles would have a coax sound output at all. Coax is lower end than optical and seeing as this is the HD-era I doubt that they will be taking a step backwards in sound.
Sucks that you just bought a system that doesnt have an optical input. There is a huge different in sound quality IMO between optical and co-ax.
 
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