How does surround sound connect?

[Dogg Thang]

Really basic question. I have an old set of surround speakers from a computer I have retired. Really good sound but the main connection to the computer came from three headphone jacks. Now I'm wondering can I use these speakers for my TV? Looking at the back of my TV and my PS3, I can't figure out for the life of me where audio output is or what connector they're expecting? It's certainly not headphone jacks. So does anyone know if there is a way I can use these speakers or are they for the bin?

What connection is normal for surround and does anyone reckon there is an adapter?

[Brad]

Do these speakers plug into the mains?

[Dogg Thang]

Yes, they do. Plain old plug.

[Brad]

OK, so PCs with surround sound have a bunch of 3.5mm jacks on the back. They expect you to plug in amplified (mains powered) speakers. 1 x L/R front, 1 x L/R rear and 1 x Centre and 1 x Subwoofer and output separate analog signals for these channels. The speakers just amp them an output them.

Consoles, DVD players, Blu-Ray players etc. output digital via optical or hdmi and expect the sound to be decoded and amplified by an AV Receiver before going to passive (not mains powered) speakers.

In short, the two systems are not really compatible*




*Someone will chime in with how to make them work I'm sure but really, no.

[Dogg Thang]

That's a shame. Silly incompatible PC stuff. Thanks anyway for the info, Brad.