How to set up surround sound with only 1 audio input port?

Question

I recently acquired an old Durabrand HT-3516 5.1 surround sound system. The problem is the system only has one audio input port for the entire system. This means I can only use 1 cord to connect it to my computer (which I have plugged into the computer's green audio line out jack). As of right now, my computer's integrated audio only recognizes the front speakers. They play audio perfectly. However, the center speaker doesn't work at all and the rear speakers are distorted. The subwoofer is working but I can't tell if it sounds how it should.

I know surround sound systems nowadays have 3 different cables to connect to a computer, one for front speakers, one for rear speakers and one for subwoofer/center speakers. That means the system I have is like virtual/synthesized audio. I have read there is a way to change soundcard settings so that sound comes from all the speakers, but I have no clue how to do this. I've been trying to get this to work for like 3 hours now. How can I get my computer to output audio to all 5 speakers using 1 audio input port on a surround sound system??

Answer 1

Your 1 green headphone jack out from your computer is stereo. This is 2 speakers only. There is no way to send 5.1 out of your computer to any sound system.



I cannot find info on the connections for the Duraband system so I cannot advise you. Some sound cards have optical output which can feed a 5.1 optical input. Since the Duraband speakers are $40 .. I suspect they do not support optical.

Answer 2

I figured it out thanks, it was more like virtual surround sound where I still needed to have a stereo output, but the system made it use all 5 speakers

Answer 3

You get what you pay for.