Anyone know how I can convert a digital signal (from my sound card) to an analog one? I want to hook my laptop up to my surround sound system / receiver. Thanks!
The best option (and I think only one for a laptop) is an external sound box. The Creative Labs Extigy is not pricy ($121 at newegg), but it does the job you need. Specially geared for Dig or Analog playback to any kind of system.
It's actually an external sound device that plugs in through USB (easy removal ) so you will probably need to disable the sound within the notebook (or leave it if it doesn't interfere).
Also has spiffy features like a remote!
Hope this helps.
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This, too, will work. The only problem there is you have to plug it in through the headphone jack (since it's a notebook), the volume is a tad off due to amp'ing for the headphones (no big deal), and the sound is still in mono doubled over a stereo R/L setup (the big one since you want to keep surround sound intact!)
hardware
prices 
) so you will probably need to disable the sound within the notebook (or leave it if it doesn't interfere).
