Socom II and Surround Sound

[fall-out-boy]

Hey I have a quick question. I just got a surround system. I know little about it. I got it to work with video games...sorta. It's not working fully because the back speakers are not working (the front ones along with the subwoffer works). But with a movie they all work. They also do not work on Music CD's or my TV shows (the TV shows I know I have to get a cable from radio shack). So hesrs my questions: Are there only certian games surround sound comptable? I looked on the back on my games. All of them say dolby digitial crap. But only some of them say surround sound under the dolby logo (SOCOM II, MVP Baseball 2004 to name a few...) I know all of this seems rather dumb but I'm a n00b to all of this. Also, how do I get the full surround sound to work with video games? thanks a lot!

[*R_Dub*]

im not sure, but maybe once u get the cord from radioshack you'll be okay, ok?


If you're not sure, don't post! This is worthless advice! -Cheesy

[Sidewinder]

Sometimes the game might not be compatible with the sound system. Maybe the game is "outdated" in the sound system perspective. Dolby Digital 6.1, 7.1, and 8.1 have came out since SOCOM 2. It works fine on my surround sound, but my system cost around $2500. My friend bought some $80 speakers, and the rear ones don't work on his either. Does your system have a box type thingy (a reciever, if you want to get technical) that you plug the speakers into, or are the speakers just "there"? My friends doesn't have a reciever, and I think that just might be why the surround sound doesn't work. (Also, if you do not have a reciever, your speakers may not really be surround sound. The reciever is usually needed to transmit and decipher(sp?) the surround sound code(or watever u wanna call it)) Just reply to this or PM me ito answer my questions, and then I may be able to help you some more.

[DVD7227]

Socom II has Pro-Logic II and all the other new games and movies like lets say Max Payne II if you see bullets from a certain spot like your left and hits the wall the front left and rear left speakers will give a sound but not your right speakers with these capabilities to hear your oppenents its easier for you since you can track your enemies down.

Most people use Reciever with 5.1 channels (5 speakers, front left, rear left, front right, rear right, center, and a sub woofer.)

To set the options for Pro Logic II go to main menu on game and set it on. Also must be set on Settings on PS2 yes where you see the time and date.

Note- you must have a Optical cable, can be bought for less than 10 bucks on ebay.

[Mr~Pan]

Also this is a MUST DO for good sound quality. When you buy surround sound it comes with really crappy speaker cables. Go out and buy Monster cables these cables will make your sound coming out of your speaker 80x better then the stock cords. There like $40 at Radio Shack.
http://www.radioshack.com/content/promotionalpages/promo3.asp?find=monster%20cables(keyword)&hp=searc h <that the link to the monster cables.

Originally Posted by RadioShack.com

When it comes to getting the best sound and picture, Monster is the choice of audio professionals. Awarded over 150 patents in over 24 years, Monster Cable transfers the original recorded performance with greater accuracy, power and clarity.
Many audio/video components come with cables included in the box, but they don't always include all the cables you need and they definitely don't come with the best cables. Without the quality connections, conductors, insulation and protective jackets you get from Monster cables, your equipment can't perform at its best. Keep those in-the-box cables in the box, and outfit your home theater with Monster cables. You don't know what you've been missing

My friend also works at Best Buy in the home theater department and he bought these cables for his home entertaiment system and said it is amazing the difference. My advice BUY these cables, watch tv or a movie on the old ones then put the new cables on and see the difference.

This next link is to a help forum on surround systems and home entertainment you may not even have to post your answer may already be given. http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/3/10874.html

[fall-out-boy]

Thanks for the advice guys. I should have said that yes i do have a reciever. It is not a 2500 dollar system...but it has the reciever with the 5 speakers (front left and right, center, subwoffer, back left and right). I knew I had to get the cable at radio shack for the TV...and I knew about monster cables but i have no job right now so I;m rather broke haha. Thanks for the help everyone!

[AL GIORDINO]

No no no, heres the thing. First off let me assure everyone here I'm a home theater master. I got a 600 watt Kenwood 5.1 receiver, 32" widescreen, and I have a Home Theater PC as well.

Heres what you need to know:

Dolby Pro Logic is only 3 channel: right, left, and center. Now once that's been established it only depends on your receivers setup. Most receivers, even old Dolby Pro Logic ones, can take Dolby Pro Logic and output it to all the surround speakers so you get a simulated surround even though its basically right/left/center, your still hearing it all around you because of the rear speakers, even though they are the same as the front two.

If you put your receiver on DOLBY PRO LOGIC it will only come out the front 3. In my instance I need to put mine on ARENA (I can also use JAZZ and DISCO but I like ARENA best) and then the rear 2 (left/right) will put out exactly the same as the front (left/right). Get it? If I have the receiver on Dolby Pro Logic the rears are basically turned off. Check your receivers settings, you DONT need any new cables, LOL. (BTW although like the advice recommended I do have only ALL monster cables. I also have a high end system, low end systems can use any cables as you wont hear a difference and output mode doesn't matter)

Your receiver should have surround modes like Pro Logic, Arena, Jazz, Stadium, Simulated, etc. Even cheap receivers do this. Play with that and one of them should turn on the rear speakers. If you don't have a home theater receiver (like if you were running your surround off a boombox) your probably out of luck.

BTW I have an old Magnavox Dolby Pro Logic receiver that will do this if anyone wants it.. $50 shipped.. I played Socom 2 in full surround on this receiver for many months. The only thing you need is 4 or 5 speakers (they dont have to be great) and speaker wire, you'll be up and playing Socom in full surround in no time.

[Poke]

I have a 53 inch wide screen TV with surround sound...I've never had a problem with my back speakers...Now as AL was saying...Guess mine is different then his...I have a few different modes to listen from, like he wa saying...I have Play Movie II, Play Music II, Pro Logic, arena, theater, stadium, disco, stereo, Jazz Club...Then I have on another setting..CD, DVD, Video 1, video 2...etc...I leave mine on Play Movie II, almost all the time, unless watching a football/basketball game then I'll switch it to Arena, or stadium...Then it gives you more of a feel like you are in the arena or stadium...I don't know how most receivers are, but the one I have I leave it on Play Movie II, and put the setting to video, or DVD, whatever I want to listen to... Then the receiver automatically detects what surround sound to use.....Dolby digital, or DTS...

Sorry got off subject...Have you checked the back speakers volume?? Each speaker should have a volume to adjust, you may need to turn it up...Also remember the back speakers will not pick up alot of the sounds...Only things coming from behind you...Such as shots etc...that is what surround sound is for...Not to surround you all the time in sounds, but to make things coming from behind, sound like they are coming from behind...Example...Watching a movie...Somone standing outside a building, and a helicopter flies over him, from the back of the building...The sound of the chopter will start on the back speakers, then move to the front speakers as it comes over....

Hopefully that will help some...Sorry if it doesn't

[AL GIORDINO]

Originally Posted by Poke

Sorry got off subject...Have you checked the back speakers volume?? Each speaker should have a volume to adjust, you may need to turn it up...Also remember the back speakers will not pick up alot of the sounds...Only things coming from behind you...Such as shots etc...that is what surround sound is for...Not to surround you all the time in sounds, but to make things coming from behind, sound like they are coming from behind...Example...Watching a movie...Somone standing outside a building, and a helicopter flies over him, from the back of the building...The sound of the chopter will start on the back speakers, then move to the front speakers as it comes over....

Hopefully that will help some...Sorry if it doesn't

I see what your saying Poke but actually PS2 only outputs Dolby Pro Logic which as I was explaining is only center/right/left. Theres no way to make Socom in full surround like that. What you hear from the rear speakers is always the exact same as the front, settings on the receiver can help simulate it a little bit but not really.. So when the helicopter is behind you, you really hear it all around. The PS2 doesn't support 4 speaker or 5.1 sound which is what your referring to. Most regular DVD players and cable boxes have digital outputs which supply full 4 speaker or 5.1 surround but PS2 only has RCA outputs.

[Poke]

Originally Posted by AL GIORDINO

I see what your saying Poke but actually PS2 only outputs Dolby Pro Logic which as I was explaining is only center/right/left. Theres no way to make Socom in full surround like that. What you hear from the rear speakers is always the exact same as the front, settings on the receiver can help simulate it a little bit but not really.. So when the helicopter is behind you, you really hear it all around. The PS2 doesn't support 4 speaker or 5.1 sound which is what your referring to. Most regular DVD players and cable boxes have digital outputs which supply full 4 speaker or 5.1 surround but PS2 only has RCA outputs.

I'm not saying you are wrong about that...Not at all...But if he isn't getting sound from the back speakers he may need to turn them up...That is all...


As far as the sound from the back being the same as from the front...Your probably right on that.. I know i hear them, but guess I've never paid attention...

Thanks for clearing that up for me...