Question Having trouble trying to connect Bose Soundbar 300 to PC via optical

[Sarado]

I've recently been gifted a hand me down soundbar, the Bose SoundTouch 300. I've been trying to connect it to my PC via optical cable, but it hasn't worked at all. Windows doesnt seem to detect it. When the cord is plugged in to the mobo i'm seeing light coming out of the cord. I've been able to connect the bar via wifi and stream music to it via the app on my pc, so the bar works at least. I've seen a few posts about possibly connecting my graphics card to it for audio, and i'm open to that, whatever makes this thing work. If someone could help me figure it out, you would be my hero!

Currently I'm using display port to my monitor, and USB speakers plugged in to my monitor via 3.5mm jack. This setup lets me use my monitor for my PS5 on HDMI source, and my PC on DisplayPort, and get sound for both with no issues. I was really hoping there would be a way to have them both work with the sound bar, but I would settle for PC on soundbar and PS5 on USB speakers if I have to.

My motherboard: https://www.newegg.com/asus-rog-strix-z590-e-gaming-wifi/p/N82E16813119367?Item=N82E16813119367

My GPU: https://www.msi.com/Graphics-Card/GeForce-RTX-3070-Ti-VENTUS-3X-8G-OC

The soundbar in question: https://support.bose.com/s/product/bose-smart-soundbar-300/01t8c00000OydALAAZ?language=en_US

 

[dwd999]

I've recently been gifted a hand me down soundbar, the Bose SoundTouch 300. I've been trying to connect it to my PC via optical cable, but it hasn't worked at all. Windows doesnt seem to detect it. When the cord is plugged in to the mobo i'm seeing light coming out of the cord. I've been able to connect the bar via wifi and stream music to it via the app on my pc, so the bar works at least. I've seen a few posts about possibly connecting my graphics card to it for audio, and i'm open to that, whatever makes this thing work. If someone could help me figure it out, you would be my hero!

Currently I'm using display port to my monitor, and USB speakers plugged in to my monitor via 3.5mm jack. This setup lets me use my monitor for my PS5 on HDMI source, and my PC on DisplayPort, and get sound for both with no issues. I was really hoping there would be a way to have them both work with the sound bar, but I would settle for PC on soundbar and PS5 on USB speakers if I have to.

My motherboard: https://www.newegg.com/asus-rog-strix-z590-e-gaming-wifi/p/N82E16813119367?Item=N82E16813119367

My GPU: https://www.msi.com/Graphics-Card/GeForce-RTX-3070-Ti-VENTUS-3X-8G-OC

The soundbar in question: https://support.bose.com/s/product/bose-smart-soundbar-300/01t8c00000OydALAAZ?language=en_US

I have one of those motherboards but I've been using it with the hdmi output for the last year so I don't remember very well what it was like when I was using the optical output other than it worked fine after the ALC4080/ALC4082 audio FW update tool spdif update. Did you try using the Realtek USB Audio Driver VB6.3.9600.2342 update? Otherwise it may be a limitation of your gpu driver.

 

[Sarado]

I have one of those motherboards but I've been using it with the hdmi output for the last year so I don't remember very well what it was like when I was using the optical output other than it worked fine after the ALC4080/ALC4082 audio FW update tool spdif update. Did you try using the Realtek USB Audio Driver VB6.3.9600.2342 update? Otherwise it may be a limitation of your gpu driver.

I have not tried any driver updates, i'll definitely be looking in to that and trying it out when I get home. On the subject of using HDMI, is it as simple as connecting the motherboard and the soundbar with an HDMI cable? Windows would detect it and let me choose it as an audio out source?

 

[dwd999]

I have not tried any driver updates, i'll definitely be looking in to that and trying it out when I get home. On the subject of using HDMI, is it as simple as connecting the motherboard and the soundbar with an HDMI cable? Windows would detect it and let me choose it as an audio out source?

That's normally how it works but note that the driver for the motherboard's hdmi port is usually provided by Intel via its Driver and Support Assistant. You could also open up the Control Panel Device Manager to make sure that all of your devices are properly activated just in case you need the Intel Chipset or Serial IO drivers; you'll see them listed on the motherboard's website.

 

[Sarado]

That's normally how it works but note that the driver for the motherboard's hdmi port is usually provided by Intel via its Driver and Support Assistant. You could also open up the Control Panel Device Manager to make sure that all of your devices are properly activated just in case you need the Intel Chipset or Serial IO drivers; you'll see them listed on the motherboard's website.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll try these out tonight and report back!

 

[Sarado]

That's normally how it works but note that the driver for the motherboard's hdmi port is usually provided by Intel via its Driver and Support Assistant. You could also open up the Control Panel Device Manager to make sure that all of your devices are properly activated just in case you need the Intel Chipset or Serial IO drivers; you'll see them listed on the motherboard's website.

Sorry for the delay here. Had my two youngest kids sick all weekend, didnt have time to play with the sound bar but tonight I will definitely have time, didn't want you to think I had let this go abandoned. Will report back!