Want to highlight a helpful answer? Upvote!

Did someone help you, or did an answer or User Tip resolve your issue? Upvote by selecting the upvote arrow. Your feedback helps others! Learn more about when to upvote >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

surround sound

I am new to the imac and was hoping to install a usb sound card to get 5.1 surround system from my home theater. imac doesn't give me more than stereo sound despite running audio midi setup, the surround options are greyed out. and i can't find a decent usb sound card that can synthesize the surround sound. Anyone with information please help

thank you

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Nov 30, 2011 7:12 AM

Reply
6 replies

Jan 1, 2012 11:39 AM in response to iffi9211

You don't need a sound card to output surround sound from you iMac (if its a 2009 or later model). iMacs output multi-channel audio through the Mini Display Port. So to get surround sound from you iMac you just need a Mini Display Port to HDMI cable and connect the HDMI to an input on the reciever of your surround sound system and the other end into the Mini Display Port of your iMac. Once you do this and turn on your reciever, you will be able to select the multi-channel output in Audio MIDI setup

Jan 30, 2012 2:49 PM in response to parker612

I was able to fix this problem, my speakers are connected to my pioneer receiver and I used it to create surround sound. iMac has toslink output which is connected to my receiver. iMac however gives only 2 channels and doesn't have option for surround sound on every track. It will not create surround sound from mp3 songs like some sound cards can. However if I play dvd that has surround sound then iMac will output 5 channels.

Thanks for the reply.

Jan 30, 2012 2:53 PM in response to parker612

Through HDMI using a mini display port to HDMI adapter, it does support full surround sound. As when I boot into Mac OS X it comes up on movies, however when I use Windows because Apple hasn't provided a driver it doesn't work.


I do not want to use Toslink, thats my other option. I don't want to use multiple cables when this could be easily fixed with a driver.

surround sound

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.