Can these speakers play true Dolby Digital 5.1?

[malcolm333]

I'm kind of new to the whole surround sound "scene" and have a question. I have a Logitech Z-5300E 5.1 Surround Sound Computer Speaker System. I know that the next model up (Z-5500's) have a built in Dolby Digital and DTS decoder. I can't find anything on Dolby Digital for the Z-5300E's. What I want to know is if I play a DVD with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound in my PC will I be getting the full 5.1 experience with these speakers? Forgive me for being "out of the loop" when it comes to speakers, I'm sure this question has been asked before but I'm just curious.

 

[Crysalis]

unless it is digital, or if your soundcard has mutiple analog outputs and the speakers accept the multiple inputs, then you wont have true surround sound. For multiple, you should have 5-6 cables. For digital, it should be only one (either optical/SPDIF or coaxial)

 

[malcolm333]

I have an Audigy 4 soundcard which has 3 of the 3.5mm jacks going to the speakers (Front, Back and Centre/Sub. So it is an analog 5.1.

 

[Crysalis]

ok... then it will be true i think

 

[malcolm333]

So I don't need a Dolby Digital Decoder built into the speakers then?

 

[Crysalis]

No... your soundcard already has one built in.