home theater from pc sound

[nanu8989]

Is it possible to use the sound output from my computer (i have an asus p4c800-e deluxe motherboard with integrated sound card) can I buy a certain cord or something to convert the signal or what? I have a sony head unit for my stereo no video hooked up... THANX!

 

[umheint0]

Yep, use a male 1/4" stereo to split-male RCA, or if you have optical or coax input and output, you can use that. The 1/4" stereo and RCA will definitely work, however the other two are preferred.

umheint0's phat setup --> <A HREF="http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html" target="_new">http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html</A><--

 

[nanu8989]

you have to help me out here the only sound output i see on my asus motherboard and soundcard is the the basic sound output which is 5.1 capable its soundmax im pretty sure... but I dont see any other outputs other than one that says s/pdif out? and what looks like a shortened printer output but i think that is analog monitor.. wont a split rca give me a split mono instead of stereo and what i need to be 2.1 sound?

 

[umheint0]

If you just want to use S/PDIF that would be the best option. Gets you 5.1 channels and all. The other option is to go strictly analog, and use the 1/4" speaker connects on the back. A pair should be for the front channels, another pair for the rear, and the last pair for center/sub. If you don't have them (and even if you do, you should) use S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format). Digital signal, higher s/n, less interference, all that jazz. S/PDIF cables are pretty cheap, and if you have a half-decent receiver, it'll connect.

umheint0's phat setup --> <A HREF="http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html" target="_new">http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html</A><--

 

[nanu8989]

where would i buy a cable like that? I need at least 5 ft. but probably more

 

[umheint0]

Radio Shack, Best Buy, Future Shop, Staples, Office Depot, Fry's, anywhere.

umheint0's phat setup --> <A HREF="http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html" target="_new">http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html</A><--

 

[Crashman]

You have the following outputs on YOUR board: S/P-DIF, and Front Stereo Analog. Via software, you can make your Microphone and Line In jacks into the other channels (Rear Stereo and Center/Sub) for 5.1 analog sound.

S/P-DIF is refered to as "Digital Coaxial" in the home audio world. It uses an RCA style jack but is NOT an analog connection like you think. It's a digital connection that carries all 5 channels to your receiver via a digital signal. In order to use that, your receiver has to have a "Digital Coaxial Input". Otherwise, you can't.

The ANALOG method involves splitting your stereo minijacks into 2 RCA connectors. To do that, you can use either an adapter, or a 3-foot stereo minijack to dual RCA cable. Since the adapter usually gets in the way of other jacks, you'd probably want to use the 3-foot cable, and an extension cable.

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