Hooking up Surround sound to TV & Comp at same time?!

[Xenon14]

Haven't bought anything yet. Looking for surround sound 4.1 or 5.1, either computer speaker system or regular- as long as I can get the setup that allows me to connect the speaker system to both sources. A friend of mine has Altec Lansing 641 and Sound Blaster Extigy. Can his system hook up to an XBOX for games/dvd's if so how?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Xenon14
Haven't bought anything yet. Looking for surround sound 4.1 or 5.1, either computer speaker system or regular- as long as I can get the setup that allows me to connect the speaker system to both sources. A friend of mine has Altec Lansing 641 and Sound Blaster Extigy. Can his system hook up to an XBOX for games/dvd's if so how?

I've been told that it's a bad idea to hook up speakers to more than one source. When a speaker is hooked up to more than one source, power goes to the amplifier of the source system that is not being used. That can and likely will screw up that amplifier. I'm planning to do something like this but I'm implementing it with a switch. I have the switch, and it's a bit complicated but it won't be a problem to wire and set up the system where with the flick of a switch I can pick any of 3 sets of speakers to be driven by one amplifier. However, I will have more than one set of speakers in two rooms because I don't dare try to drive one set of speakers by alternate systems. You could do it, but ONLY if you make sure you don't have power backing up into the unused system, basically by opening the circuits by switching them off.

I suppose you could do this with an audio/video receiver with multiple inputs. That would give you a better sounding setup than computer speakers. Hookup the outputs from your computer audio to the receiver and likewise your TV. I plan on doing something like that, but I'm not going to get my TV in the picture for a while. Will use my computer monitor instead, and a Leadtek TV capture/TV/FM card.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Xenon14
Haven't bought anything yet. Looking for surround sound 4.1 or 5.1, either computer speaker system or regular- as long as I can get the setup that allows me to connect the speaker system to both sources. A friend of mine has Altec Lansing 641 and Sound Blaster Extigy. Can his system hook up to an XBOX for games/dvd's if so how?

Easiest way is to get a receiver. I don't know if the newer computer speaker systems allow you to accept multiple inputs. I hook my X-box using an optical/toslink, my audigy 2 using digital sp/dif coaxial, and the standard analog 5.1 miniplugs from my audigy 2 using 3 1/8'' miniplug to RCA Y-adapters. I can also hook up a DVD player using a 2nd optical input, but I use my PC for DVDs now. Everything is viewed through my 1900FP and heard through my 5.1 satellite speaker system. I just hit a button on the remote to change the input source.

Chiz

 

[Alptraum]

Yeah, just get a reciever. Any decent one will have multiple source inputs.

 

[Xenon14]

Nice. So my next question is, any receiver recommendations? Should I get something like Klipsch Promedia and a seperate reciever, or should I just look for the setup as a whole? Also, can anyone provide a link to the wires I need to connect xbox to a sound card like the extigy using optical in?

 

[DaveSimmons]

With a receiver you connect the audio from each device to the receiver -- nothing goes to the PC (just out of it). With the receiver you don't use powered speakers (except for a powered subwoofer).

You can buy a Kenwood "home theater in a box" fairly cheap (check buy.com) or spend more for better sound -- like $600 - 1000 for a Polk or Energy speaker set, plus something like the Pioneer $299 model receiver at etronics. It all depends on your budget.

You can also use the receiver as an s-video switcher if you have more s-video devices (DVD, consoles, PC tv-out) than your TV has s-video in jacks.

 

[murphy55d]

Onkyo HT-S650.

I own it, and love it. Very affordable too.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: Xenon14
Haven't bought anything yet. Looking for surround sound 4.1 or 5.1, either computer speaker system or regular- as long as I can get the setup that allows me to connect the speaker system to both sources. A friend of mine has Altec Lansing 641 and Sound Blaster Extigy. Can his system hook up to an XBOX for games/dvd's if so how?

Easiest way is to get a receiver. I don't know if the newer computer speaker systems allow you to accept multiple inputs. I hook my X-box using an optical/toslink, my audigy 2 using digital sp/dif coaxial, and the standard analog 5.1 miniplugs from my audigy 2 using 3 1/8'' miniplug to RCA Y-adapters. I can also hook up a DVD player using a 2nd optical input, but I use my PC for DVDs now. Everything is viewed through my 1900FP and heard through my 5.1 satellite speaker system. I just hit a button on the remote to change the input source.

Chiz

How do you like this system for watching DVDs? I'm doing something similar at least in the "short term". GTXP or Santa Cruz (I have both in two systems, and right now the Santa Cruz in my "multimedia" system). NEC FP2141SB 22" (20 viewable) is my video display, and although I didn't research things too much I figured it would give me acceptable DVD viewing until I eventually get a wide screen TV (presumably HDTV). I read a thread the other day from around 6 months ago in the alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt newsgroup where people were saying that a TV is better than watching on a computer monitor. What's your take on that?

Here's an interesting quote from the thread: "As far as watching DVDs on computer as opposed to TV, you have to understand that computer DVD players are nowhere near the picture quality of component DVD players." People also say that while a computer monitor is much better at detail, a TV will smooth out the picture better and smooth high framerates. It makes me wonder. Anyway, I've been watching some DVDs on my computer monitors and it seems pretty OK, but I wonder what experienced and informed people think.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
With a receiver you connect the audio from each device to the receiver -- nothing goes to the PC (just out of it). With the receiver you don't use powered speakers (except for a powered subwoofer).

You can buy a Kenwood "home theater in a box" fairly cheap (check buy.com) or spend more for better sound -- like $600 - 1000 for a Polk or Energy speaker set, plus something like the Pioneer $299 model receiver at etronics. It all depends on your budget.

You can also use the receiver as an s-video switcher if you have more s-video devices (DVD, consoles, PC tv-out) than your TV has s-video in jacks.

I have looked at all these options and decided to go better than the HTIB systems. I seriously considered a Kenwood HTIB that was on special at Best Buy but passed on it. The Pioneer receiver Dave is talking about is the VSX-D811s and it gets very good reviews by a lot of people as a budget HT receiver. It has preamp outputs, which is unheard of in a receiver in its price range. Myself, I'd really like to have a receiver with phono inputs so I'm probably going to get the Kenwood VR-6070, which has a lot of features for the money. It's the feature set that attracts me. I bought the JBL NSP-1 II surround speaker system and have a DLS 10" 100 watt subwoofer on the way. This is fairly budget stuff, but well liked in the Home Theater Forums. I posted here asking about computer speakers for HT and people said I should look at getting a real home theater setup. The Klipsch Promedias look like toys next to the JBL satellites and the price difference isn't that great.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: Xenon14
Haven't bought anything yet. Looking for surround sound 4.1 or 5.1, either computer speaker system or regular- as long as I can get the setup that allows me to connect the speaker system to both sources. A friend of mine has Altec Lansing 641 and Sound Blaster Extigy. Can his system hook up to an XBOX for games/dvd's if so how?

Easiest way is to get a receiver. I don't know if the newer computer speaker systems allow you to accept multiple inputs. I hook my X-box using an optical/toslink, my audigy 2 using digital sp/dif coaxial, and the standard analog 5.1 miniplugs from my audigy 2 using 3 1/8'' miniplug to RCA Y-adapters. I can also hook up a DVD player using a 2nd optical input, but I use my PC for DVDs now. Everything is viewed through my 1900FP and heard through my 5.1 satellite speaker system. I just hit a button on the remote to change the input source.

Chiz

How do you like this system for watching DVDs? I'm doing something similar at least in the "short term". GTXP or Santa Cruz (I have both in two systems, and right now the Santa Cruz in my "multimedia" system). NEC FP2141SB 22" (20 viewable) is my video display, and although I didn't research things too much I figured it would give me acceptable DVD viewing until I eventually get a wide screen TV (presumably HDTV). I read a thread the other day from around 6 months ago in the alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt newsgroup where people were saying that a TV is better than watching on a computer monitor. What's your take on that?

Here's an interesting quote from the thread: "As far as watching DVDs on computer as opposed to TV, you have to understand that computer DVD players are nowhere near the picture quality of component DVD players." People also say that while a computer monitor is much better at detail, a TV will smooth out the picture better and smooth high framerates. It makes me wonder. Anyway, I've been watching some DVDs on my computer monitors and it seems pretty OK, but I wonder what experienced and informed people think.

It works out very well. I'm sure either of those cards will be fine, b/c I actually use the SP/DIF coax output for movies only. Most soft-DVD players don't allow you to use your Sound card's multi-channel capabilities w/out purchasing sound packs. However, both WinDVD 3.0 and PowerDVD 4.0 (AsusDVD XP) allow me to use SP/DIF passthrough. My Audigy 2 would probably be every bit as good as my receiver for decoding DD 5.1 or DTS, but that blue DTS light assures me I'm hearing the same thing I would on my TV-based HT sysetm. It also allows me to save whatever money for those sound packs. So basically sound quality will be as good as your receiver/speaker set-up.

As for picture quality, I don't know how much stock I would put in that review. It really depends on the quality of the components used for the TV-based DVD option (480p, 1080i, progressive scan DVD etc.). Software DVD players have come a very long way since they were first introduced. Their anti-aliasing, de-interlacing, and scaling algorhythms have gotten them to the point where the IQ is easily better than an older interlaced TV or projection screen TVs. Also, some cards have a hardware DVD decoder (newer Radeons), which tightens up the quality of the image even further, and really comes in handy for older/slower PCs.

I like watching DVD on both my set-ups, but lately I've been watching more on my HTPC. If I'm watching a movie with other people, I usually go with the main HT system, watching on my PC isn't as much of a commitment/production I guess. For newer movies, I definitely prefer watching them on my HTPC as the added detail really shines through. Movies like SW:AoTC and LOTR:SE are absolutely incredible with a good video card and soft-DVD player. Colors are more vibrant, picture is much sharper, and there are absolutely no interlacing lines at all. Some dark scenes have problems with contrast, but most TVs have the same issue. Its nothing you can't adjust though in the software settings. I've never had to purchase a soft-DVD player, I keep getting free versions with various hardware (usually video cards). AsusDVD XP is currently the best I've used, but its really just a "rebadged" PowerDVD engine. WinDVD 4.0 was also good, but I didn't keep it b/c I woulda had to pay to upgrade from 3.0 (free). ATI DVD (came with 9700pro) wasn't very impressive with its GUI and interface, but I think its guts are PowerDVD as well. I know Nvidia has released a DVD player, but I haven't tried it and it hasn't been bundled with any of their cards that I know of to date.

Hope that helps,

Chiz

 

[Monteaudio25]

Chizow,

What type of receiver and 5.1 Speakers you have if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: Xenon14
Haven't bought anything yet. Looking for surround sound 4.1 or 5.1, either computer speaker system or regular- as long as I can get the setup that allows me to connect the speaker system to both sources. A friend of mine has Altec Lansing 641 and Sound Blaster Extigy. Can his system hook up to an XBOX for games/dvd's if so how?

Easiest way is to get a receiver. I don't know if the newer computer speaker systems allow you to accept multiple inputs. I hook my X-box using an optical/toslink, my audigy 2 using digital sp/dif coaxial, and the standard analog 5.1 miniplugs from my audigy 2 using 3 1/8'' miniplug to RCA Y-adapters. I can also hook up a DVD player using a 2nd optical input, but I use my PC for DVDs now. Everything is viewed through my 1900FP and heard through my 5.1 satellite speaker system. I just hit a button on the remote to change the input source.

Chiz

How do you like this system for watching DVDs? I'm doing something similar at least in the "short term". GTXP or Santa Cruz (I have both in two systems, and right now the Santa Cruz in my "multimedia" system). NEC FP2141SB 22" (20 viewable) is my video display, and although I didn't research things too much I figured it would give me acceptable DVD viewing until I eventually get a wide screen TV (presumably HDTV). I read a thread the other day from around 6 months ago in the alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt newsgroup where people were saying that a TV is better than watching on a computer monitor. What's your take on that?

Here's an interesting quote from the thread: "As far as watching DVDs on computer as opposed to TV, you have to understand that computer DVD players are nowhere near the picture quality of component DVD players." People also say that while a computer monitor is much better at detail, a TV will smooth out the picture better and smooth high framerates. It makes me wonder. Anyway, I've been watching some DVDs on my computer monitors and it seems pretty OK, but I wonder what experienced and informed people think.

It works out very well. I'm sure either of those cards will be fine, b/c I actually use the SP/DIF coax output for movies only. Most soft-DVD players don't allow you to use your Sound card's multi-channel capabilities w/out purchasing sound packs. However, both WinDVD 3.0 and PowerDVD 4.0 (AsusDVD XP) allow me to use SP/DIF passthrough. My Audigy 2 would probably be every bit as good as my receiver for decoding DD 5.1 or DTS, but that blue DTS light assures me I'm hearing the same thing I would on my TV-based HT sysetm. It also allows me to save whatever money for those sound packs. So basically sound quality will be as good as your receiver/speaker set-up.

As for picture quality, I don't know how much stock I would put in that review. It really depends on the quality of the components used for the TV-based DVD option (480p, 1080i, progressive scan DVD etc.). Software DVD players have come a very long way since they were first introduced. Their anti-aliasing, de-interlacing, and scaling algorhythms have gotten them to the point where the IQ is easily better than an older interlaced TV or projection screen TVs. Also, some cards have a hardware DVD decoder (newer Radeons), which tightens up the quality of the image even further, and really comes in handy for older/slower PCs.

I like watching DVD on both my set-ups, but lately I've been watching more on my HTPC. If I'm watching a movie with other people, I usually go with the main HT system, watching on my PC isn't as much of a commitment/production I guess. For newer movies, I definitely prefer watching them on my HTPC as the added detail really shines through. Movies like SW:AoTC and LOTR:SE are absolutely incredible with a good video card and soft-DVD player. Colors are more vibrant, picture is much sharper, and there are absolutely no interlacing lines at all. Some dark scenes have problems with contrast, but most TVs have the same issue. Its nothing you can't adjust though in the software settings. I've never had to purchase a soft-DVD player, I keep getting free versions with various hardware (usually video cards). AsusDVD XP is currently the best I've used, but its really just a "rebadged" PowerDVD engine. WinDVD 4.0 was also good, but I didn't keep it b/c I woulda had to pay to upgrade from 3.0 (free). ATI DVD (came with 9700pro) wasn't very impressive with its GUI and interface, but I think its guts are PowerDVD as well. I know Nvidia has released a DVD player, but I haven't tried it and it hasn't been bundled with any of their cards that I know of to date.

Hope that helps,

Chiz

How do you like watching DVDs with your 1900FP, Dell, right? I know that serious gamers usually have issues with LCD displays (ghosting, I think). I am curious how they are for movies.

My GTXP came with the full version of PowerDVD 3.0, which I believe includes software 5.1 decoding of DVDs. I haven't used that yet, since until today I've only been using stereo (2 channel) output from the GTXP. I have my surround speakers but don't have them hooked up yet since I'm waiting for my subwoofer and actually haven't ordered my receiver yet. My Pioneer 106s DVD player has a digital output (don't know the standard) which I suppose I could hook up to my receiver (probably Kenwood VR-6070) and get digital 5.1 decoding. However, since I have software decoding with PowerDVD, I won't require that. I think I can do this with either the Santa Cruz or the GTXP, doesn't matter. Maybe I'll try the digital output from my DVD player so I too have the comfort of "that blue DTS light " for assurances I'm getting surround decoding. Actually, it may be problematical using the digital output from the DVD player because the connection is at the back of the internal player. I don't have a cord for it and the connection is definitely not coax. I don't know what it's for... maybe for a digital connection on a soundcard. EDIT: Actually, maybe I can get it that way. There are more than one type of digital output from the GTXP's breakout box and I bet there is a digital input on the soundcard itself that I can feed from the digital output of my Pioneer DVD player. However, to avail myself of that I'd have to swap my soundcards so I have the GTXP on my "multimedia" system. Certainly a possibility.

"Movies like SW:AoTC and LOTR:SE are absolutely incredible with a good video card and soft-DVD player." I should have an opportunity to find out since I have that full PowerDVD 3.0 and a new BFG Asylum ti4200 and both those movies, and nice 20" viewable monitor. When I started watching DVD movies on even my 17" CRT monitor a couple months ago I was immediately impressed with the sharpness, the increased detail compared to my 20" NTSC TV. I was very impressed. Issues of smoothing and framerates were something I'd never heard of, but I was aware of no difficulties, however I sure didn't do any side by side comparisons. Interlacing lines, well, to me they are an abstraction, not something I've got a sensory idea about. I know that a non-interlaced monitor has been thought to be superior to an interlaced one, and heard that back in the early 1990's. But maybe it's not true for watching movies. My 17" definitely has problems sometimes with brightness/contrast (It's 7 years old), but the 20" has no problems with that at all, far from it.

I have one or two other software DVD programs besides PowerDVD. I got one with my MSI motherboard 6 months ago, but haven't tried it. I sort of doubt it features 5.1 decoding in software like my PowerDVD. I haven't looked at the software that came with my geforce4 BFG card, but to my knowledge, it didn't come with a DVD decoder. Don't know. EDIT: At BFG's website it says I have NVDVD, so I guess I have the Nvidia DVD player you were talking about. Don't know if that supports 5.1 decoding in software.... I undoubtedly have version 1.0 since I bought my card 2 weeks after Nvidias press release for version 2.0, which is dates November 14, 2002.

From Nvidia's website on version 2.0: "With support for Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, Dolby Pro Logic II and Dolby Headphone technology, NVIDIA NVDVD 2.0 heightens the overall playback experience by delivering impressive surround sound audio."

Nvidia's press release for version 1.0 was Sept. 10, 2002 and indicates surround support as well. I guess I'll definitely be trying it. It probably significantly outperforms my PowerDVD 3.0, especially with my geforce4 card.