No 5.1 audio through HDMI cable

In order to get TRUE 5.1 surround sound you will need an external sound card(USB,or Expresscard) and the break out box to supply the 5.1 surround sound.Laptops are capable of producing 5.1 but without this it is only SIMULATED 5.1 surround sound.

In order to get TRUE 5.1 surround sound you will need an external sound card(USB,or Expresscard) and the break out box to supply the 5.1 surround sound.Laptops are capable of producing 5.1 but without this it is only SIMULATED 5.1 surround sound.

dgkpcon, you mean that even the models that have direct connections for a 5.1 speakers system -- the ones with 3 configurable jacks where the mic jack becomes the output jack for the rear speakers -- don't have true surround sound? The 5.1 Audio page of the Dell Technology Guide seems to imply that it is true surround. It states that you need a surround source such as from optical media. If it were simulating surround I would think it could do so from a stereo source. What do you think?

That's very interesting. Thanks for the information.

By the way Dell didn't say it had true surround, at least not on the page I linked to in my previous post.

I was taking it from the OP  that dell was saying it was true surround sound,i think that is what he was saying?...

Yes,the Studio 1737 replacement i sent back a couple months ago had the same problem.It is simulated NOT true surround sound that is one of the reasons i refused recieving a downgraded system.The only way it had true surround sound was if i hooked up my X-Fi Xtreme and the surround sound upgrade kit,and i recieved 5.1 true surround sound.Without it,it did not?....So i do not know why they are saying that it IS TRUE surround sound because it's not(just simulated).But it is capable of producing true surround (with extras you have to purchase) and thats the only way.

I find this really suprising to say the least! Why would dell sell a product equiped with a blu-ray player and an HDMI mutli media port and not have it able to fulfill its functions as such? God i hate dell somtimes. So I have to by some sort of USB add on to get 5.1 surround? How about for 7.1 surround since i have a blu-ray player in my laptop and I was thinking about upgrading my home theater center.

I specifically asked my dell salesperson about this too and thats why i got the enhanced PCI Audiology soundblaster setup, i guess its my own fault for listening to the salesperson really -should have done my own homework on this product before purchasing.

Yes as long as you have a device that supports 5.1,it will also support 7.1.Provided your surround sound system has the 2 extra speakers for it.

The external sound cards and the break out box are not that expensive.I purchased my X-Fi Xtreme Audio Notebook Expresscard(not the newer wireless card) for $59.00(at dell,it was the cheapest when it first came out) and the break out box for $29.99(at creative,dell did not have these then).Of course now the same card has been revised to a newer wireless card (which you need there wireless reciever and wireless speakers to use,go figure).There are some USB external sound cards that do come WITH whatever you need for the 5.1 and 7.1,and jimco sent a link to one in a post i replied on almost the same subject about 9 months ago.I can't remember which USB external it was though.

Thanks jimco.

Try this: http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19284946.aspx