True surround sound is only available if your sound card supports one of the following three connections:

• optical (digital connection)
• coaxial (digital connection)
• 6-channel analog

However, even if your computer sound card does not support one of the preceding connection types, you can still simulate surround sound by using the control pod's settings.

Digital Connections

I. Optical:

Optical is a digital connection, meaning that you can get true 5.1 surround sound by using a single cable to connect your Z-5500 speakers to your desktop computer. If your computer sound card can decode Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS, you can achieve true surround sound by doing the following:

1. Connect your computer sound card to the optical input on the back of your Z-5500 control pod.
2. Press the Input button on your control pod.
3. Cycle through the selections and choose the Optical input.

II. Coaxial Cable:

Like optical, coaxial is a digital connection, so you can use a single cable to achieve true 5.1 surround sound. If your computer sound card supports Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS, you can get true surround sound by doing the following:

1. Connect your computer sound card to the coaxial input on the back of the Z-5500 control pod.
2. Press the Input button on the front of the Z-5500 control pod.
3. Cycle through the selections and choose the Coaxial input.

Analog Connections

I. 6-channel analog:

6-channel analog is not digital, but if your computer sound card supports 6-channel analog, you can still get true surround sound by doing the following:

1. Match the color-coded 3.5mm outputs on the back of your sound card to the corresponding inputs on the back of your Z-5500 control pod using the provided cable.
2. Set the switch on the back of your Z-5500 control pod to the 6-channel direct setting.
3. Press the Input button on the front of your Z-5500 control pod.
4. Cycle through the selections and choose the Direct input.

II. 4-channel & 2-channel analog:

If your computer sound card does not support either a digital connection or 6-channel analog, you can still simulate surround sound by using the effects settings on the Z-5500 control pod. For both 4-channel analog and 2-channel analog, do the following:

1. Connect your Z-5500 to the sound card using the color-coded 3.5mm inputs on the back of your control pod.
2. Set the switch on the back of your control pod to the Stereo 1-3 setting. Press the Input button on the front of your control pod.
3. Cycle through the selections and choose the Direct input.
4. Press the Effect button on the front of your control pod.
5. Cycle through the selections and choose one of the following:
6. • Stereo: This effect plays your music in stereo- left and right only.
   • Stereo  X2: This setting splits the audio signal to the rear speakers giving you 4.1 channel sound.
   • Dolby Digital PL2 Music/Movies: This setting creates a simulated surround sound effect by up-mixing to all your speakers.