• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Good Budget Soundcard for home theater applications?

I

imported_fallen

Member
Hello,

I am looking for some advice on choosing a soundcard for my 2nd PC. The main thing I want to do, is be able to get 5.1 (or 7.1 if possible within my budget) surrround output to my receiver, for DVD movies that support it. I am replacing a Soundblaster Extigy external soundcard that just died on me. Either Internal or external options options would be fine.

1. This computer will only be used for Movies & some MP3 music through my home theater system. I dont care about gaming or other PC sound at all.

2. Low price is more important to me than fancy features, but I do want quality sound without background hiss/noise or artifacts. The sound quality of the Extigy was fine for what I was doing, but I was hoping to pay less this time around.

3. I need a card that has an Optical-Digital output. I don't think the budget versions of the creative cards do. I have the Audigy2 with the front bay in my main computer, but I think that is outside my budget for the 2nd pc.

A couple I am looking at are:
Turtle Beach CATALINA
CHAINTECH AV-710 ($25 at newegg)

Any other suggestions? Either Internal or external options options would be fine.

Thanks,
Fallen
 
Well...what you really should get is the HDA Xplosion - it can do 7.1 and will output ANY sound you play on it to a DTS stream which is easily decoded by your receiver. It is not cheap.

The problem with standard Optical Out is that you will not get a surround signal from a stereo source. The Xplosion can upmix.

http://www.bluegears.com/xplosion.html
 
Thanks for the quick response, but I am not sure I need or want the "upmix" feature.

If I play a stereo (2 channel audio) sound, then I would expect it to be fed to the receiver as stereo.

If I play a 5.1 or 7.1 DVD, then I would want my Receiver to handle the processing of the signal read from the DVD with as little processing from the soundcard as possible.

Im sure the card you suggested is good, it's just not within my budget & seems to have features I wouldnt use.
 
Originally posted by: fallen
Thanks for the quick response, but I am not sure I need or want the "upmix" feature.

If I play a stereo (2 channel audio) sound, then I would expect it to be fed to the receiver as stereo.

If I play a 5.1 or 7.1 DVD, then I would want my Receiver to handle the processing of the signal read from the DVD with as little processing from the soundcard as possible.

Im sure the card you suggested is good, it's just not within my budget & seems to have features I wouldnt use.
Click to expand...

I don't know if the cards you mentioned will output the 5.1 or 7.1 audio via the optical port. It would need to support DTS or Dolby Digital.
 
Chaintech AV-710 is probably the perfect card for you.

If you want some "upmix" options from a stereo source you can always use Prologic II or whatever surround processing your receiver will have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top