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mkerr64 · Feb 10, 2007, 09:55 PM

Hi there

Does the Mac Pro come equiped with a Dolby 5.1 system? or does one have to purchase a card?

I am thinking about adding this to my collection:
http://biz.tigerdirect.com/applicati...9942&CatId=492

Thanks

slpdLoad · Feb 10, 2007, 10:13 PM

It has an optical output, which does support 5.1 output. It looks like you can connect that speaker system directly to the MP with no problems.

Cheers.

mkerr64 · Feb 10, 2007, 10:27 PM

GREAT thanks alot
1000 watts will be quite nice

Sub · Feb 10, 2007, 11:35 PM

My Dad actually has the same system with his optical PowerMac, it sounds amazing, we actually prefer it and his 30" for watching movies, because its better than an actual tv and surround system heh.

MichiganRich · Feb 11, 2007, 12:20 AM

I've got an old old Logitech THX-certified 4.1 set, and the bass is better than anything short of an actual home theater system. That set you're considering would be possibly the most thunderous computer speaker system ever.

Leonard · Feb 11, 2007, 02:57 AM

Trust me, you'll like those... I do!

mutelight · Feb 11, 2007, 01:59 PM

Since those multimedia speakers have a built-in DD5.1 decoder all you will need is a TOSlink cable to run from your optical out on your machine to that system and you are good to go. Macs don't have built-in Dolby decoding but they output the encoded stream via the optical out.

RevEvs · Feb 11, 2007, 02:03 PM

Also, If you want to use it for DVD's, play the DVDs with VLC - I'm pretty sure Apples DVD player cant handle 5.1 over TOSLINK!!

MaxPower2k3 · Feb 11, 2007, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by RevEvs

Also, If you want to use it for DVD's, play the DVDs with VLC - I'm pretty sure Apples DVD player cant handle 5.1 over TOSLINK!!

It can. It passes Dolby or DTS out over SPDIF. VLC also will, but it's not necessary for DVDs.

mkerr64 · Feb 12, 2007, 12:52 AM

I currently have the bose (2 reg, 1 sub)
How is the bass on the Z 5500 compared to other speakers?

RevEvs · Feb 12, 2007, 04:00 AM

Originally Posted by MaxPower2k3

It can. It passes Dolby or DTS out over SPDIF. VLC also will, but it's not necessary for DVDs.

Hmm Ill give it another go then, im sure there was some sort of issue with it

MarkLT1 · Feb 12, 2007, 11:20 AM

I've got the speaker setup you showed there as my home theater speaker system (small apartment, very small HT room, run off of a MythTV box).

My wife was giving me grief for wanting such an expensive speaker setup (I showed her my "dream" HT setup, and she agreed- the Z5500 isnt THAT expensive

) Well, we watch movies quite often.. and after our first movie with the Z-5500s, her comment was "Best... Purchase... EVER!"

As other's have said- via SPDIF you can definitely use the 5.1 with your MP.

Leonard · Feb 12, 2007, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by mkerr64

I currently have the bose (2 reg, 1 sub)
How is the bass on the Z 5500 compared to other speakers?

Wouldn't know, these are the first set of speakers I've had with a computer that have a nice big subwoofer. The Goliath tank sounds nice in UT2007. Music sounds great.

Originally Posted by RevEvs

Hmm Ill give it another go then, im sure there was some sort of issue with it

Make sure you have your preferences in DVD Player or VLC set up correctly. While I haven't played DVDs on my computer (I have a 51" HDTV for the that), I have heard the G5 can output 5.1 sound for DVDs.

MaxPower2k3 · Feb 12, 2007, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by mkerr64

I currently have the bose (2 reg, 1 sub)
How is the bass on the Z 5500 compared to other speakers?

That depends. If you just want as much bass as possible, the Logitechs are great. The subwoofers put out a lot of bass. That said, it's not particularly accurate or clean. So if you're a particularly discerning listener (of music, especially) then you may not be satisfied with it, but if you're just looking for your movies and games to have a good "punch" to them, you should enjoy the logitechs.

I used to have the model which was the precursor to the one in the first post, and I used and enjoyed it until I upgraded to a more expensive system. While the new system certainly sounds considerably better and is more flexible, the Logitechs were a fraction of the cost, so they can't really be faulted.

RevEvs · Feb 12, 2007, 03:30 PM

Well I did some tests, and it is sending a digital signal, but not 5.1, it seems to send stereo and i have to use the dolby pro logic 2 setting to get surround.

whatever it does, it confuses my digital decoder.

ill stick with VLC

EDIT: Ill take that back - the DVD i tried actually had 2 channel digital, tested with a 5.1 dvd and it worked.

Now im just baffled as to why i was under the impression DVD player didnt work - must have read it somewhere! oh well..

Leonard · Feb 12, 2007, 04:45 PM

Hey, no problem. At least now you've proved it works. Thanks for taking the time to test it.