hi, I just recently purchased a logitech z-5500 sound system, and I am trying to hook it up to my laptop and am having problems figuring out how and what I need. It doesnt have a regular headphones jack, but it does have and hdmi port and im not sure exactly what else.

can someone help me out here im kinda lost.

I have never used one and other brands that I am unaware may exist but Creative Labs makes an add in card for laptops to get 5.1.
There are no audio outs on the laptop? Look for a lime green port.

.............but it does have and hdmi port and im not sure exactly what else.Are you certain it has an HDMI port?

From the website:

Source Inputs:
Digital optical for DVD or CD players, PlayStation®2, Xbox®**
Digital coaxial for DVD or CD players or PC sound cards (requires coaxial cable, sold separately)
6 channel direct (3 stereo-mini connectors) for 2, 4, or 6 channel PC sound cards OR
6 channel direct (3 stereo-mini connectors) for 3 stereo analog mini audio sources, like CD and DVD players, Playstation 2, Xbox, or 2 channel PC sound cards (somedevices may require stereo mini to dual RCA adapter, sold separately)
Analog stereo-mini (on side panel of control center) for portable CD, MP3,or MiniDisc® players


So, if your laptop has an optical output, you can use that to get true 5.1 surround sound from 5.1 sources. If your laptop has multichannel audio outputs (3, probably green, blue, and red) you can use those with the 3 mini-plugs for 5.1 surround sound also. If all your laptop has is a single green stereo audio output, then that is all you will be able to use and you will not get true 5.1 surround sound but you will be able to apply Dolby Pro Logic II to those sources in order to get simulated surround sound.

Have you read the instructions? What laptop do you have?

no there are no green jacks, but there are 2 headphone jacks in the front, as well as a thing that looks like something for a mic

not speakers, my laptop has and hdmi port. I have a dell inspiron 1526

what does an optical output look like exactly?

what does an optical output look like exactly?
An Optical output and input look the same.
http://img.zdnet.com/techDirectory/_TOSLINK.JPG

the speakers have that but my computer does not

here are the ports it says it has

I/O Ports

USB 2.0 (4)
Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45) and 56K Modem6 (RJ11)
IEEE1394a
8-in-1 Memory Card Reader
VGA video output & S-Video
HDMI high definition video output
1 ExpressCard 54mm Slot
Integrated dual digital mics
Dual headphone jacks
Microphone jack

An Optical output and input look the same.
http://img.zdnet.com/techDirectory/_TOSLINK.JPGWell, not necessarily. If it is a mini-toslink (like many laptops) it looks just like a headphone jack.

........my laptop has and hdmi port.Right. But the z-5500s do not have an HDMI input. Your laptop's HDMI port is a video input port, anyway, for receiving video via an HDMI connnection. It is not an output.


here are the ports it says it has

I/O Ports

USB 2.0 (4)
Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45) and 56K Modem6 (RJ11)
IEEE1394a
8-in-1 Memory Card Reader
VGA video output & S-Video
HDMI high definition video output
1 ExpressCard 54mm Slot
Integrated dual digital mics
Dual headphone jacks
Microphone jackIt seems from that description that you only have 2 stereo audio headphone outputs. So that is the only way you can connect the speakers. You will only be able to send a 2-channel stereo signal to the speakers but you will be able to apply Dolby Pro Logic II to that stereo signal in order to create simulated surround sound. It will not be true Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 surround sound.

You need to connect the laptop's headphone output to the stereo-mini input that is on the side of the z5500 control center. You need a cable that has a male stereo headphone jack at each end like the ones people use to connect their iPod in their car. You can get these anywhere. Try Target, Wal-Mart, or Radio Shack.

alright that is fine.

so what kind of a cable do i need? and a link for a place to buy one would be helpful too.

i dont live in town and i dont get in there very often so its easier for me to buy one online

alright that is fine.

so what kind of a cable do i need? and a link for a place to buy one would be helpful too.You need to connect the laptop's headphone output to the stereo-mini input that is on the side of the z5500 control center. You need a cable that has a male stereo headphone jack at each end like the ones people use to connect their iPod in their car. You can get these anywhere. Try Target, Wal-Mart, or Radio Shack.

http://www.target.com/Belkin-Retractable-Stereo-Cable-iPhone/dp/B000TMI17I/sr=1-4/qid=1217380396******sr_1_4/601-9283876-9160113?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3AiPod%20cable&page=1

http://www.target.com/Monster-StereoLink-Cable-Zune-ZUMCONMINI7/dp/B000JLMX6E/sr=1-17/qid=1217380757******sr_1_17/601-9283876-9160113?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3AiPod%20cable&page=1


Like I said, these are sold everywhere. You just may not be able to get a long one like you probably need, so:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021802&p_id=644&seq=1&format=2 = 6 foot

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021802&p_id=645&seq=1&format=2 = 12 foot

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021802&p_id=646&seq=1&format=2 = 25 foot

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021802&p_id=647&seq=1&format=2 = 50 foot

alright i just bought the monster from target.

thanks for your help everyone :)

alright i just bought the monster from target.Why? The Monoprice ones are cheaper and will do the same thing. Is 7' going to be long enough for you?

lol cause i was assuming that it was higher quality, lol which i need cause i tend to kinda beat the crap out of things:(

and money isnt that big of an issue for me right now