iMac onboard audio

Does anyone know what kind of audio hardware is in the newer iMacs?

From what I've read, my best guess is that it's integrated into the motherboard, can output 5.1 sound via mini-optical jack to a device that can decode it. I'm assuming that the iMac cannot decode 5.1 surround on it's own. I would guess that DTS audio (music) is out of the question, too.

If you booted to Windows to play a game, what would you get as far as audio capabilities? Do you need drivers, or does bootcamp somehow handle the integration. Does the audio even work in Windows? Do most people just go with some type of external audio device for gaming?

Is the sound quality from the onboard audio fairly decent? I don't play movies on a computer. It would just be used for music and the odd game.

mmm i´m not 100% sure i get what you mean but i try to answer anyway (i´m sorry, i´m german).
i have a macbook and i have parallels installed to run windows.
i didn't install any drivers, it works just.

TheMacMania said:

mmm i´m not 100% sure i get what you mean but i try to answer anyway (i´m sorry, i´m german).
i have a macbook and i have parallels installed to run windows.
i didn't install any drivers, it works just.

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Hi. Thanks for your response. I see you helping out all over the forums.
I guess it's like everything mac... it just works I've never actually been able to find any audio specs, but I'm sure it must work or someone would have complained.

Does the audio work ok with Windows running in Parallels? I've seen cases of virtual machines (not mac, mind you) where the sound is all choppy and/or delayed, even if just playing a song.

i haven't expected any problems with it so far no hassle actually, thank god

TheMacMania said:

i haven't expected any problems with it so far no hassle actually, thank god

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Well, that's good to know. Thanks.