Computer 5.1 speaker setup

[Greyd]

I am noob to Home Audio setups.

Assuming that you got one of those 5.1 computer speaker setups (Logitech,etc), what else would you need to connect it to make it a Home Theater setup? Plasma TV, gaming console, HD-DVD,etc? A receiver? Anything else?

Thanks

 

[Mutilator]

I have my HD DVR cable box setup to output sound to my PC so I get audio through my TV card and out to my Klipsch speakers. The video goes directly to my projector. I'm doing this since I don't currently have a receiver + real home theater speakers. And to be honest, even though the TV is stereo sound it works very well. Good enough that I've put off buying a HTIB for now.

Basically once you throw in a receiver to let it do the work, you're probably going to be throwing out those Logitech speakers.

 

[Greyd]

What would you need to connect the speakers straight to the TV/HD-DVD/gaming setup WITHOUT the use of a computer? I was thinking without the use of a PC at all?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Greyd
What would you need to connect the speakers straight to the TV/HD-DVD/gaming setup WITHOUT the use of a computer? I was thinking without the use of a PC at all?

Depends...if you have a set of speakers like the Z-5500's you can just connect them via a digital coax or optical cable. However, the inputs are VERY limited.

 

[Greyd]

ahh ok thanks

 

[kalrith]

I'm curious about this too. I have a set of Klipsch 4.1 computer speakers, and I'm planning to get a 37" LCD TV to act as my computer monitor and a second TV. I'd like to be able to output the sound from my DirectTV DVR (HR21) to the computer speakers without the need for my computer to be on. However, the only connectors from my speakers are two 3.5mm (headphone-sized) plugs that go into my Audigy 2ZS sound card.

Any thoughts on how to inexpensively transfer the sound from the DVR to the speakers without the computer being on? I'd even be fine with analog sound since the alternative is to use the TV speakers for TV (blek!). I know I can do it with a TV card, but that would require the computer to be on whenever we watch TV on it.

 

[bigpow]

My Ghetto Logitech z5450 as Home Theatre speaker connections:
-6.1 direct (analog) -to- HTPC (Creative X-Fi Music)
-Optical toslink 1 (digital) -to- Comcast HDTV Box
-Optical toslink 2 (digital) -to- Xbox 360

Spare connections for future toys:
-Coaxial SPDIF (digital)
-Stereo in (analog)

The audio processor can decode Dolby DTS5.1, Dolby Digital, and some other lesser protocols.

 

[dandragonrage]

Wow. This is so not worth it. Computer speakers are for nearfield only. They're not good at a computer, and they're downright crappy for a TV. Yes, this includes Promedia (which I have owned) and Z5500, though you could do worse than those.

 

[bigpow]

Originally posted by: dandragonrage
Wow. This is so not worth it. Computer speakers are for nearfield only. They're not good at a computer, and they're downright crappy for a TV. Yes, this includes Promedia (which I have owned) and Z5500, though you could do worse than those.

Really? Wow, I didn't know that 😉
Although the OP clearly stated that he's looking into the possibilities of using a 5.1 PC sound with other sources - maybe you could give us more lessons on this matter?

Do remember tho, that not all of us live in a 3,000 sq. ft. homes with a huge cavernous living room. 😀
My house is a mere 1,700 sq. ft. with a cathedral ceiling living room, yet I never even have to crank up my Ghetto Logitech more than 50% of volume. (BTW, I've owned Klipsch PM5.1 in the past)

 

[jtvang125]

The thing with most computer speakers are that their primary input are the 3 3.5mm headphone jacks. Some higher end sets may have digital or optical input though but still not enough inputs if you have multiple sources (dvd player, game console, tv..ect). Cheaper speakers systems also have no remote for the volume so there's no way to control this.

Might as well get a cheap 5.1 receiver. It can switch between multiple sources and control the volume for these sources.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: dandragonrage
Wow. This is so not worth it. Computer speakers are for nearfield only. They're not good at a computer, and they're downright crappy for a TV. Yes, this includes Promedia (which I have owned) and Z5500, though you could do worse than those.

I know that real speakers sound better, because I use a set in the livingroom. However, there are no free speakers out there that come close to the sound of the promedia. I say free because I would have to spend money on another set of speakers and no money on the set of promedia in my computer room. That is why I'm hoping for a cheap or free solution to connecting my promedia directly to the DirectTV DVR.

 

[child of wonder]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Greyd
What would you need to connect the speakers straight to the TV/HD-DVD/gaming setup WITHOUT the use of a computer? I was thinking without the use of a PC at all?

Depends...if you have a set of speakers like the Z-5500's you can just connect them via a digital coax or optical cable. However, the inputs are VERY limited.

This is what I use.

My PC is connected to the three analog jacks on the Z-5500. My HD cable box is plugged into the digital coax and my Xbox360 and DVD player share the optical audio jack.