What's the best way to set up 5.1 surround sound

[MBPwizz]

Hi everybody!

My new MBP should arrive in a few days and I would like to be able to set up a 5.1 surround sound system (would be great for video editing, watching DVDs and gaming) in the easiest way possible without spending too much money.

Will running a set of Logitech Z5500 off the optical out through a Toslink work? Is it possible to do the same thing using cheaper speakers like the Creative T6200 without an external sound card? And if I do need an external sound card like the Creative X-Fi Surround 5.1 would it work with Windows (will be running Bootcamp) and will I still get true surround sound?

Sorry for all the questions, I've only ever had 2.0 speakers before.

Thanks!

 

[mulo]

this is what you need
http://www.mycablemart.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=1439
http://www.mycablemart.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=1428
you can of course get any length cable

 

[MBPwizz]

And those would work with any 5.1 speaker system? I can't find any info on whether they have optical in (on Amazon, at least).

 

[mulo]

aslong as they have optical in.
they certainly do the trick at my house.
do remember that you can only get true 5.1 sounds if the media your playing is encoded for it, and the device must be able to decode it. (most are)
if it isn't you need an external sound card.