S/PDIF Out - Choosing Digital Out disables 5.1 outputs

Q:  Enabling the S/PDIF Output on the card makes the 5.1 outputs inaccessible.
    How do I get surround sound playback when I'm using the S/PDIF Out? 


A:  S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital InterFace) allows transmission of 2-channel
    digital audio data from one device to another. 

    When used in a surround sound system, the S/PDIF (digital) Out allows the
    digital audio *data* from a DVD movie disk or other surround-encoded
    digital audio source to 'pass through' to an external playback device with
    a Dolby Digital/DTS *decoder*. 

    It's the Dolby/DTS *decoder* that splits the 2-channel audio data into 6
    channels of surround sound audio (5.1) -- NOT THE SOUNDCARD. 

    In the soundcard's control panel, you'll see that the S/PDIF Out is
    activated, and the 5.1 or 7.1 *analog* outputs are not accessible (they'll
    be "grayed out"). This is NORMAL when you're using the S/PDIF Out. You're 
    not using the analog outputs at all, so they are inaccessible. 

So remember -- 

    If you're connecting your soundcard to a surround amp/speaker setup 
    with ANALOG inputs, use the 5.1 Speaker Configuration setting in the
    soundcard's control panel. 

    If you're connecting your soundcard to a surround amp/speaker setup 
    with DIGITAL input, use the S/PDIF Out setting (or its equivalent) in 
    the soundcard's control panel. 
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