How to play games in surround sound
Each of the major home video game consoles offers a surround-sound option. Once you've properly connected your home-theater system, you can hear the action in your games from all directions--not just from the right and left speakers.
To enable the surround effect, you'll need an A/V receiver connected to a speaker system. The Nintendo GameCube uses Dolby Pro Logic II to create the surround effect from a standard two-channel stereo connection on your home-theater system. It requires no additional hardware, accessories, or special hookups.
But adding surround sound to the Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox requires additional steps.
The PlayStation2 has a built-in optical digital audio output.The only accessory you'll need to purchase is a digital optical audio cable. Plug the cable into the optical port on the rear of the PlayStation 2. Plug the other end into your A/V receiver.
To get surround sound from your Xbox, you'll first need to purchase some extra hardware. In addition to either the Xbox Advanced A/V Pack or the High-Definition A/V Pack, you'll need a digital optical cable. Start by connecting the adapter to your Xbox. Plug one end of the optical cable into the Xbox adapter. Plug the other end into your A/V receiver.
Once you've connected your Xbox or PlayStation 2 to your home-theater system, you'll need to tell your receiver to use the appropriate optical input. This is called assigning the input. Information about this simple process can be found in your A/V receiver's manual.
Each of the major home video game consoles offers a surround-sound option. Once you've properly connected your home-theater system, you can hear the action in your games from all directions--not just from the right and left speakers.
To enable the surround effect, you'll need an A/V receiver connected to a speaker system. The Nintendo GameCube uses Dolby Pro Logic II to create the surround effect from a standard two-channel stereo connection on your home-theater system. It requires no additional hardware, accessories, or special hookups.
But adding surround sound to the Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox requires additional steps.
The PlayStation2 has a built-in optical digital audio output.The only accessory you'll need to purchase is a digital optical audio cable. Plug the cable into the optical port on the rear of the PlayStation 2. Plug the other end into your A/V receiver.
To get surround sound from your Xbox, you'll first need to purchase some extra hardware. In addition to either the Xbox Advanced A/V Pack or the High-Definition A/V Pack, you'll need a digital optical cable. Start by connecting the adapter to your Xbox. Plug one end of the optical cable into the Xbox adapter. Plug the other end into your A/V receiver.
Once you've connected your Xbox or PlayStation 2 to your home-theater system, you'll need to tell your receiver to use the appropriate optical input. This is called assigning the input. Information about this simple process can be found in your A/V receiver's manual.