Steve Lane

I wanted to play back a 5.1 demo a friend gave me on DVD.I needed a 5.1 output for my early intel iMac. I did a search on Ebay and found a number of sellers offering a small blue 5.1 USB audio interface box. No maker so I assume it is an OEM Chinese device. It has six analog outputs on stereo minijacks. A mic in , a line in and optical SPDIF in and out. It is offered by several sellers priced from £7.95 including UK postage to around £15. It comes with Windows drivers but no mention of OSX compatibility. I took a chance and paid my £7.95 To my delight it is recognised in the Audio Midi setup as a USB device. I used VLC as the player. Select the VLC audio device as "USB Sound Device". I found I had to configure the device as 8 channel. 1&2 mapped to L and R ,3&4 to sub and centre. 5 & 6 are not mapped and 7 & 8 are the rear surround. The master level on the control page is not used. Use the the sound level control on the VLC player as the master. Set the speaker balance with the sliders the Audio Devices USB Sound Device panel. The Mac sound output fader on the menue strip should be just 20%. Any higher and odd things happen and the output distorts. So I am sorted for just under eight pounds. (Not including the extra amps and speakers )Works a treat. I am currently listening to the Led Zep Celebration DVD in glorious 5.1