Foolproof way to detect if the sound card supports 5.1 surround sound

5.1sound card

Not sure if this is a very basic question for this community, but I am finding it real hard to determine if the sound card in my computer supports 5.1 speakers?

The Device Manager -> Sound, Video and Game Controllers just show Realtek High Definition Audio, and I am unable to find any additional clues in the Properties.

I do have 5.1 speakers – and a quick internet search gives me lame answers like "check if you have 5 speakers with 5 audio jacks" which is not what I want, as the speaker will be unable to play 5.1 sound unless the card supports it.

Kindly let me know if any additional system configuration details would help. I am using Windows 7 Home Edition.

Best Answer

The 5 audio jacks you quote is the important thing, not the number of speakers.

It refers to the audio jacks on your motherboard or sound card, not the plugs from your speakers.

If you have multiple audio output jacks on your motherboard/sound card then you have support for surround sound (providing the correct drivers are installed)

The standard jacks are as follows:

Green - Front L/R
Black - Rear L/R
Grey - Side L/R
Orange/Yellow - Sub & Centre
Blue - stereo line in
Pink - mono mic in

2.0 will have 3 jacks - Green, Blue, Pink

5.1 will have 5 jacks - Green, Black, Orange/Yellow, Blue, Pink

7.1 will have 6 jacks - Green, Black, Grey, Orange/Yellow, Blue, Pink

In the pic below, clockwise from top left: 7.1, 7.1, 5.1, 2.0, 2.0

enter image description here

If you want to see in your system properties you need to open up the RealTek HD Audio Manager (from Control Panel or System Tray icon) and this should show an image on the right that will show you which are available on your system (jacks which are plugged in will be highlighted):

enter image description here (Error here is because I am accessing this PC via RDP with audio disabled)

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