? on Sound Cards and Receivers

[RudeBoie]

What do I need to be able to connect a sound card to a receiver through either a optical or digital coax connection?

I notice sound cards will have SPDIF outputs now. I don't that much about it- is this only for recording or can I use this as a digital out to connect to the receiver?

Which motherboards (internal sound card) or sound cards should I keep in mind if I'd like to connect the sound card to my receiver and speakers (I have a Surround system, so that's why I'd want an optical/coax connection)?

 

[biffbacon]

i dont connect them directly, but use a Rio Digital Audio receiver. it can be connected to your comp through the phone line (doesnt interfere with calls), or by ethernet cable, and it reads the mp3's off your comp, and allows you to play them in whatever room the receiver is. its pretty damn cool

 

[Vette73]

nForce2 with a MCP-T southbridge. Dolby Digital. Abit and Asus have boards that have the full soundstorm soundcard onboard. Digital out and the standard 5.1 out.

 

[xchangx]

At my work we have a SB Audigy 2 5.1 card with S/PDIF going to a THX Reciever, then to amps/speakers.

That seems to be the best way, normal way is analog, S/PDIF is digital.


Michael Chang

 

[Goosemaster]

The cheapest method is using the Hurcules Fortissimo III for $45.

It has optical out that can be connected to your reciever.

It can be configured to either output PCM, which is regular stereo ouput, or output the source directly, such as DD and DTS DVD's

for the price it is a fine choice....I enjoy mine everyday.

 

[RudeBoie]

Thanks for the tips. So if I have an S/PDIF out, I can use it with my receiver? What kind of cable is that? I saw it in a picture and the plug looked like an optical one.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: RudeBoie
Thanks for the tips. So if I have an S/PDIF out, I can use it with my receiver? What kind of cable is that? I saw it in a picture and the plug looked like an optical one.

Optical cable can be found at your local best buy etc.


make sure your reciever has optical inputs however.

 

[crt1530]

S/PDIF is all you need to hook your computer up to your receiver. If the digital out is optical, you need a TOSLINK (optical) cable. Otherwise, you need a cable that has a 1/8" mini-plug connector on one end and a 1/4" RCA connector on the other end.

 

[Slammy1]

As an alternative to hooking up the S/P DIF as indicated above, you can also use an 1/8" stereo miniplug to RCA converter to connect to the external decoder on your receiver. This is the preferred way to connect for games since pointal sound is required. Also, many sources have issues outputting to S/P DIF, so you may find you have to do it this way. Radio Shack carries all that, if you have one near you.