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Building a HTPC. Want to save as much $$ as possible.

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Coldkilla said:
I wont need them. Ever. Thx.
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Understood. Which is why I said "to each their own".

This is a public forum and its important to recognize that what is the correct answer for you isn't necessarily the correct answer for all.

This is only $5-$10 after all. I understand you are after the lowest possible build cost and I respect that. However, my approach is to go after the best "bang for the buck" with minimal chance for buyer's remorse.

No correct one size fits all answer. Good luck with your build!
 
billyb0b said:
This is my current HTPC build...

Choice on mobo's was due to the low price, HDMI out, and Optical audio out (great for hooking up HTPC to receiver).
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't you use hdmi to hook up to your receiver? Can't get Dolby TrueHD or DTS Master audio over optical.
 
My current setup on my 2004 Dell Dimension is a Stereo plug/plug M/M cable with a VGA cable. Currently not sure if there is another way to connect the audio for future purposes but I notice that my surround sound makes a slight hissing noise when its cranked up (it doesn't do it in other input modes on other devices). Is it the cord or is that method of connecting audio not the best solution?
 
Coldkilla said:
My current setup on my 2004 Dell Dimension is a Stereo plug/plug M/M cable with a VGA cable. Currently not sure if there is another way to connect the audio for future purposes but I notice that my surround sound makes a slight hissing noise when its cranked up (it doesn't do it in other input modes on other devices). Is it the cord or is that method of connecting audio not the best solution?
Click to expand...

Probably have something not grounded correctly in the Dell. Or have a bad soundcard in the Dell.

New HTPC builds don't need soundcards at all as its all built into the motherboard and CPU/chipset. Even for "audiophile" builds.

The best way to connect is HDMI (Full HD Audio and non-HD Audio bitstreaming) to a HDMI capable receiver. Then fiber optic (but as stated this can only bitstream Dolby Digital and DTS --- no HD Audio) again to a receiver that's capable of receiving fiber optic toslink cable. Then RCA stereo plug which is only analog --- no digital sound.

This is one of the reasons I recommended that motherboard with the optical output, HDMI output and stereo output. As you upgrade the rest of your AV gear its nice to have flexibility in your HTPC. Especially when its only an $8 upgrade.
 
When I built my htpc I didn't go for a mobo without optical out. It turns out I needed it as my system grew and I only had an optical in left to use on my reciever. Turns out the mobo did have a header for it but I needed a low profile bracket. Ended up spending twenty bucks for the optical out from some guy on an auction site which I could have put into the mobo in the first place.
Live and learn.
 
Alright you sold me. Even though the USB 3.0 stuff I wont need, the optical out sounds like a better idea specifically because I don't want to repeat the issues I'm currently having with the dell. Plus I've got an optical cable around here somewhere.

Here's the back of our television:
WKWX2.jpg


I assume the PC's optical audio cable being plugged into "Digital Audio Out (Optical)" will work.
 
Coldkilla said:
Alright you sold me. Even though the USB 3.0 stuff I wont need, the optical out sounds like a better idea specifically because I don't want to repeat the issues I'm currently having with the dell. Plus I've got an optical cable around here somewhere.

Here's the back of our television:
WKWX2.jpg


I assume the PC's optical audio cable being plugged into "Digital Audio Out (Optical)" will work.
Click to expand...

Do you have an AV Receiver? Really that's the best way to use any Home Theater equipment.

Otherwise you should connect your HTPC to the HDMI in on your TV until (if ever) you upgrade to an AV Receiver with surround sound.

That optical out on your TV is meant to send digital sound to an AV receiver and then to your speakers (with surround sound speakers if you have them).
 
We simply have an all-in-one bluray+surround Samsung BD-P1500. Here's the back:
94%7cc4bc25%7c0939_8841-rear.jpg


Would an HDMI cable using the motherboard you mentioned also carry sound? I plugged my primary PC into the television once using the DVI to HDMI cable I have where I plugged my video card in on one end and plugged it into an HDMI on the other but no sound traveled through the video card.
 
Coldkilla said:
We simply have an all-in-one bluray+surround Samsung BD-P1500. Here's the back:
94%7cc4bc25%7c0939_8841-rear.jpg


Would an HDMI cable using the motherboard you mentioned also carry sound? I plugged my primary PC into the television once using the DVI to HDMI cable I have where I plugged my video card in on one end and plugged it into an HDMI on the other but no sound traveled through the video card.
Click to expand...

What inputs does that thing have?
 
Coldkilla said:
Would an HDMI cable using the motherboard you mentioned also carry sound? I plugged my primary PC into the television once using the DVI to HDMI cable I have where I plugged my video card in on one end and plugged it into an HDMI on the other but no sound traveled through the video card.
Click to expand...

HDMI does carry sound. If no sound travels through then you most likely need to set your sound playback settings in windows to default to the HDMI if it is present.

EDIT: DVI does not carry sound, on the new motherboard you just need to connect the HDMI from the motherboard to your TV HDMI Inputs
 
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In a nutshell...

HDMI: HD Video *and* HD Audio (DTS-HD, Dolby True HD) assuming you have an HD Audio capable reciever. No HDTV (or soundbar that I know of) can accept and decode HD Audio. HDMI can also send non-HD audio (DTS and Dolby Digital) to AV receiver.

Optical: Non-HD audio only (DTS and Dolby Digital). Almost all HDTVs can only accept Dolby Digital only if at all. Use HDMI to connect to HDTV for video.

RCA: Analog stereo only. Use HDMI to connect to HDTV for video.

This is why an AV receiver is so important for a proper home theater with surround sound.
 
It's not improper. It's just not ideal.

But that's why having some additional connectivity options are nice to have if/when you upgrade in the future.
 
Coldkilla said:
Would an HDMI cable using the motherboard you mentioned also carry sound? I plugged my primary PC into the television once using the DVI to HDMI cable I have where I plugged my video card in on one end and plugged it into an HDMI on the other but no sound traveled through the video card.
Click to expand...

Arkitekt said:
HDMI does carry sound. If no sound traveled through then you most likely need to set your sound playback settings in windows to default to the HDMI if it is present.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't the HDMI to DVI cable lose the audio signal? I didn't think audio would travel over the DVI connection.
 
Aso said:
Wouldn't the HDMI to DVI cable lose the audio signal? I didn't think audio would travel over the DVI connection.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I was answering his question about whether or not the HDMI on the ASRock H77M would carry sound. I guess I worded it wrong, I will fix that. You are right though, DVI cannot carry an audio signal.
 
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