Connecting a PS3 to my computer

[xavior6]

Hi everyone. I've searched this forum and I've found some answers to this question, but I have one idea that I was wondering would work. So here is the question:

I want to connect my PS3 to my computer monitor via HDMI. Now my sound system, a Logitech Z-5300, does not have component nor optical input capability. My computer sound cards only has optical OUT capability. So this rules out any direct connection of my PS3 sound to my computer system.

Now I was thinking, if I get a Female RCA to 3.5mm converter (a 'Y' cable), couldn't I just connect the components of my PS3 to the female heads of the cable, and then connect the 3.5mm jack to my "Line-In" on my computer?

Now if this works, how can I activate my line in? Will it utilize my entire surround sound system or only the two stereo speakers?

Thanks alot in advance.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you go to line-in, you should be able to use that to connect up the PS3. You'll only get 2.1 that way unless your soundcard / integrated sound allows you to apply fake surround processing in real time to that input.

Alternatively, you could get a game adapter and plug the z-5300 speakers into that, but you'd end up having to disconnect / reconnect things when you wanted to change sources. This would also only be stereo played back on all the speakers (vs. true surround).
http://www.amazon.com/Console-...s-Single/dp/B0006U3ACY

If you had a set like z-5500s, it would be very easy to connect both systems.

 

[xavior6]

Thank you for your prompt reponse

So by stereo playback do you mean that only my two front speakers produce sound? Or that all speakers produce sound but there is no surround sound quality? Also, if I use the line-in method, would i have to flick the switch of my surround sound to 2 channel or can i leave it on 5.1?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

With line-in, I think you're going to be stuck with 2.1 (only front two speakers and sub playing, the rest silent). You could then choose to select matrix mode on the speaker set itself and that could get all the speakers playing based on however it decides to play back sound on the surround and center speakers.

With the adapter, you'd get the front right and surround right playing the exact same thing. The front left and surround left would play the exact same thing. The center would be a mix of left and right.

 

[xavior6]

Hmm. That adapter looks legit. Only problem is that amazon.com is sold out of it. Thank you for your help, but my final question would have to be if you know any online sources through which i could purchase that adapter?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I'm not sure. Maybe if you hunt around froogle or ebay you can find one where shipping doesn't kill the deal.

You might want to test your line-in to see if that works (plugging in an MP3 player or something with a M/M 3.5mm cable if you have one) before buying the 3.5mm to 2xRCA adapter you'd need for that method.
If that works, you might want to just do that to avoid the hassle of having to unplug / replug the connections every time.

 

[xavior6]

Yea i was weighing my options. I would rather have all my speakers projecting sound than only two. I don't mind replugging, but you don't think that will wear out the wire heads do you?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: xavior6
Yea i was weighing my options. I would rather have all my speakers projecting sound than only two. I don't mind replugging, but you don't think that will wear out the wire heads do you?

Well the matrix mode on your speakers is an option as you mentioned. That will get all of them playing even with the line-in method. None of these options are going to get you true surround, but the matrix mode / line-in is likely to be easiest to use as long as you can get the line-in working correctly.