whats the differnce between digital out and SPDIF out?

[LOTROTK]

i have only digital out on my sound card can i get 5.1 playback if i connect my comp to a 5.1 reciever

 

[olefarte]

S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) is a standard audio transfer file format. It is the same as digital out.

What kind of sound card do you have? I personally haven't seen one with "only" digital out, if it supports 5.1, you should be able to choose analog or digital.

To answer your question, yes you can connect your digital out/SPDIF output on you sound card to the same type input on your 5.1 reciever and you will get 5.1 playback, IF you have a 5.1 source, such as a DVD player on your computer.