Connecting my receiver to my computer: Part II

[beer]

OK first off - I will be moving my HT discussions to hometheaterforum as soon as my registration gets approved. This means no more audio discussion here for those of you that don't like reading about it.

And now for the real question:

I have a computer setup such that I have a SBLive Value w/ a daughtercard that puts out coaxial, optical, etc. My receiver takes optical and coaxial ins; my optical is already being used by my DVD player.

Currently I have two speakers (PSB Alpha A/Vs) and that will be up to six speakers by the end of summer; Alpha Mites in back, with an Alpha Center. A subwoofer is in the card but I have not come across an affordable sub yet, of course I'm not looking right now.

Any line from my receiver to my computer would be 25 feet because I have to run down my bookcase and across virtually two walls. As such, my computer is not placed anything near my HT speakers. Look at this diagram below:

=================
|[XXXXXX].....................|
|.................................|
|.................................|
|.................................|
||R|.............................|
||..|............................X|
|A[T]B........................X|
|===============|


A and B are my fronts. The T is my 25" TV. The Xs on the side represent my computer desk. The Xs in the top represent my sofa that is used for the viewing. The R represents my receiver and my DVD on my bookcase.

[EDIT] That didn't come out right. Give me a sec to fix it. [/EDIT]

Again that's just a rough approximation of my setup. As such my speakers would not be oriented correctly for my computer so I would need to use headphones for 3D sound.

Now the real question is, should I connect my computer to my receiver via digital coaxial cabling or 1/8" stereo mini to RCA cables.

Any coaxial cabling would be cheap 75Ù radio shack cable with converters on the end for the RCA-type prong. The stereo-to-RCA would be cheap or midgrade radio shack stuff.

Now there are some considerations:

If I use my last digital connection for my computer I don't have one for a CD changer, and I would only get an analog hookup, which isn't good. I would like to get a changer this summer.

I don't have my speakers set up for my computer, they're set up for my sofa and bed. So I don't see any benefit of having surround sound.

Should I do a digital coax hookup or RCA hookup?

 

[beer]

holy crap that fell fast

 

[virtuamike]

By all means, go digital coax. If you go analog you run a very high chance of getting noise in the signal. I had the same problem, had this annoying electric hum when connected to analog. Of course going digital got rid of it.

 

[Nutdotnet]

It is really up to you. The Digital may be nicer, but if you use the RCA plugs you will still have one digital jack free on your receiver. If you do go with the RCA's don't be suprised if you suffer from a ground loop. You will know if you do when you have your receiver selected to the computer input and when you turn the reciever up you will here a very annoying hum. Easy to fix though, go to your local Radio Shack and buy a Ground Loop Isolator Cable for $15.

 

[atomicbomberman]

The best thing in your case is probably This:

Use the Digital Coxial hookup for your computer, and if your DVD player have a Digital Coxial or optical INPUT, then plug in your new cd changer (Which I don't see the point really, you have a dVD player and no doubt an mp3 collection that supress all your cds. But if you do, then just hook up the CD changer to the DVD and loop it there.

 

[bcterps]

<< The best thing in your case is probably This:

Use the Digital Coxial hookup for your computer, and if your DVD player have a Digital Coxial or optical INPUT, then plug in your new cd changer (Which I don't see the point really, you have a dVD player and no doubt an mp3 collection that supress all your cds. But if you do, then just hook up the CD changer to the DVD and loop it there. >>



I dont know of any DVD players on the market that have any kind of digital input at all, coax or optical, there wouldnt be any point since there would be no reason to input a digital signal.

I think the best idea would be to run a coax cable from your computer and if you really want a cd changer later, why not just sell your current dvd player and buy a dvd changer? It'll be one less remote to have around (unless you use a universal one) and one less piece of equipment to have cluttering up your place. DVD changers have come down a lot in price and are quite reasonable.

--Ben

 

[virtuamike]

Think of it this way. There's a greater audible difference in going with digital for your PC than for your CD player. Run the CD in analog. It may not sound as crisp but at least you won't have to deal with ground loops.

 

[beer]

What is a ground loop anyway, and why wold I have it with my computer and not a CD changer?

 

[beer]

up

What is a ground loop? Audioreview doesn't have a link in the glossary

 

[Viperoni]

Why the heck would you not be able to use the optical/coax inputs and an analog input at the same time????

I have my HT DVD player feeding a digital optical signal to my HT receiver, while my TV feeds my HT receiver an analog signal......works fine.

Or I might not be understanding what you're trying to say...