Connecting my PC to AV Receiver for 5.1 sound?

[jetjohnson]

Sorry folks if this has been asked about before but ..what type of sound card /cable do I Require to route 5.1 Dolby Digital / DTS sound from my PC to my Onkyo 875 Receiver. I have a number of movies / music vids on my hard drive and normally I burn them to DVD which play's them back in full 5 channel DD sound.

....But I'd also like to play them back directly from my hard drive - I have my PC already connected to my Pioneer 50" plasma and have stereo sound connected to the onboard audio output from my pc but obviously soundwise I would rather have the full monty!

....Is it as simple as connecting an optical cable from a PC sound card to my Onkyo? ......any advice appreciated

Jet Johnson

 

[nads]

you have a number of options. as above will work.

a graphics card that will pass multi chanel sound via HDMI and go that way. some cards also have DVI so you can also have picture to the TV without the amp being on. etc etc......

I use the DVI for a second screen.