what i have: Dell studio desktop with "native" 7.1 audio with a SPDIF out; and a ATI Radeon card with HDMI out supporting 5.1 audio samsung t240hd monitor/hdtv combo with "dolby digital surround" (i think only two speakers though). this unit has an optical out.
my question: pc-hdmi-mon/tv has vid and aud working fine. but i'd like to utilize the surround sound either 7.1 or 5.1 supposedly available. any ideas? can i use the 5.1hdmi signal through the mon/tv into the optical out? can i have my computer both send audio via hdmi to the mon/tv and through the back audio 3.5mm jacks (7.1)? can i use the spdif thingy? what is it anyway?
as you can see, i'm new at this. many thanks for any advice! dive happy!