Connecting a 5.1 Surround to PC

[yoramdavid]

Hi,

I am having trouble connecting the newly bought SoundMaster 5.1 to my PC.
I run Windows XP, have a A7N8X-E deluxe Motherboard which includes a sound card (do not know which (nVidia nForce?), but it installs a utility called SoundBlaster).
I followed the tutorial I found here: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/268/ and connected the cables accordingly.
I have all the connections shown on this picture: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/fullimage.php?image=2821
but one: Optical SPDIF Out. I am therefore assuming I have an analog connection.
The problem: the sub-woofer is swapped with the central speaker (The bass sounds come out on the Central speaker and vice-versa).
I have tried to swap the connectors (I had to pair the connector, 3 pairs, where the two Rear are on one pair, the two frontals another and the Centre speaker is paired with the sub-woofer), as well as I tried to swap the connections entries.

Can someone help, please?

Yoram

[DavidFlorida]

Originally Posted by yoramdavid

Hi,

I am having trouble connecting the newly bought SoundMaster 5.1 to my PC.
I run Windows XP, have a A7N8X-E deluxe Motherboard which includes a sound card (do not know which (nVidia nForce?), but it installs a utility called SoundBlaster).
I followed the tutorial I found here: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/268/ and connected the cables accordingly.
I have all the connections shown on this picture: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/fullimage.php?image=2821
but one: Optical SPDIF Out. I am therefore assuming I have an analog connection.
The problem: the sub-woofer is swapped with the central speaker (The bass sounds come out on the Central speaker and vice-versa).
I have tried to swap the connectors (I had to pair the connector, 3 pairs, where the two Rear are on one pair, the two frontals another and the Centre speaker is paired with the sub-woofer), as well as I tried to swap the connections entries.

Can someone help, please?

Yoram

Hi,

Since the center speaker and subwoofer share one jack, the reversal must be done with software. When you installed the "Soundblaster" application, it should have given you several features, such as an equalizer, expanded volume control, and maybe a 5.1 test function.

Every 5.1 software install I've seen has an option to reverse the center/subwoofer channel assignments. Look through the properties dialog in your software and see if you see something like, "Swap Center/Subwoofer", or "Center/LFE Swap" or something like that. This should correct the problem. If there's no way to reverse the center/sub, anyone handy with a soldering iron could physicall reverse the dual speaker plug and solve the problem as well.

ETA: If you go to this address you will find the manual for your motherboard: ASUS A7N8X Manual

Section 5.3.1 on page 5-7 explains the speaker functions in the nvidia control panel.

Good luck!

[yoramdavid]

Nobody and help?
I am still at the same stage...

[Olle P]

Have you tried using the Speaker Setup Wizard under the Speaker Setup tab of the nVidia nForce Control Panel, as described in the manual, chapter 5.3.3, page 5-7?

Cheers
Olle

[yoramdavid]

Originally Posted by DavidFlorida

Hi,

Since the center speaker and subwoofer share one jack, the reversal must be done with software. When you installed the "Soundblaster" application, it should have given you several features, such as an equalizer, expanded volume control, and maybe a 5.1 test function.

Every 5.1 software install I've seen has an option to reverse the center/subwoofer channel assignments. Look through the properties dialog in your software and see if you see something like, "Swap Center/Subwoofer", or "Center/LFE Swap" or something like that. This should correct the problem. If there's no way to reverse the center/sub, anyone handy with a soldering iron could physicall reverse the dual speaker plug and solve the problem as well.

ETA: If you go to this address you will find the manual for your motherboard: ASUS A7N8X Manual

Section 5.3.1 on page 5-7 explains the speaker functions in the nvidia control panel.

Good luck!

Sorry, when I posted my second reply, your post was not displaying. Yes, I did everything the manual says.
And the 5.1 system did not bring any software with it, should it had?
Therefore, no options for switching anything at all.
Strange.

I have swapped the plug as you suggested and it seems fine now.
Well no, not everything. my Studio PCTV does not mute or change the sound anymore now, any idea how to solve that one?
Thanks for your help.

[yoramdavid]

Originally Posted by Olle P

Have you tried using the Speaker Setup Wizard under the Speaker Setup tab of the nVidia nForce Control Panel, as described in the manual, chapter 5.3.3, page 5-7?

Cheers
Olle

Hello Olle,

Sorry, the post from DavidFlorida View Post was not displaying on the screen when I reinforced my post the second time. Yes I had tried the wizard and it gave nothing good.
But the problem is solved by swapping the plugs. Strange I had to do this tough...
Well, not everything is fine tought. my Studio PCTV does not mute or change the sound any more now, any idea how to solve that one?
Thanks for your time.