Question on sound setup

[Eomer of Aldburg]

Currently I have my HDTV and the output us using a RCA to 3.5mm input on my audigy 2 ZS. Does that single 3.5mm input capable of carrying 5.1 because my xbox 360 is connecting into my HDTV and the audio is set out to my speakers? I also believe that a normal Audigy 2zs has a SPDIF input/ouput, should I connect my tv's audio output into that for 5.1?
Or is this a better choice altogether Logitech® 5.1 Game Console Adapter

 

[Eomer of Aldburg]

anyone?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What kind of speakers do you have?

A single stereo analog connection cannot carry 5.1 info.

A digital connection (with a decoder between the source and speakers) or a 5.1 (three stereo pairs) analog connection can do surround.

I'm not sure if the audigy2zs can take the SPDIF input and decode it to output on the analog channels, but if it can do it, that would be the way you'd want to connect it. Unfortunately iirc, the 360 only has optical output and you'd wand a digital coaxial connection for the Audigy to use.

You can get a converter to do that, but I'm thinking if you have the desire to do this "right", you can get a system that will better handle all this.

 

[themisfit610]

Right. A home theater amp would be the way to go for many reasons, but they're pricey .

I have an Audigy2 ZS, and it does have a 3.5mm digital jack, but from what I read on Creative's support page, there's no "digital IO module", like there is for other Audigy 2 cards. This module plugs into the 3.5mm digital jack and gives you coax and optical S/PDIF in and out. You could then probably "listen" live to a S/PDIF source - meaning decode it and spit it out on the analog jacks.

I guess you're not clear on the signal path. You have an Xbox360, an HDTV, and a PC. Where are your speakers? Connected to the computer? Built in TV speakers?

 

[Eomer of Aldburg]

Sorry for not explain it all the way. Right now I have my HDTV source coming in into my HDTV via component and my Xbox 360 coming into my HDTV also via Component. My HDTV's audio output supports SPDIF and RCA Left and right audio. As we speak, I have an RCA to 3.5mm jack coming into my Audigy 2 ZS's input and the output is 3 3.5mm jacks into my Logitech Z-6400's. Whats the best way to get 5.1 to my speakers for my TV source and my Xbox 306?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Eomer of Aldburg
Sorry for not explain it all the way. Right now I have my HDTV source coming in into my HDTV via component and my Xbox 360 coming into my HDTV also via Component. My HDTV's audio output supports SPDIF and RCA Left and right audio. As we speak, I have an RCA to 3.5mm jack coming into my Audigy 2 ZS's input and the output is 3 3.5mm jacks into my Logitech Z-6400's. Whats the best way to get 5.1 to my speakers for my TV source and my Xbox 306?

Check the model number again on the speakers, there are no 6400s.

640s maybe?

 

[Eomer of Aldburg]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Eomer of Aldburg
Sorry for not explain it all the way. Right now I have my HDTV source coming in into my HDTV via component and my Xbox 360 coming into my HDTV also via Component. My HDTV's audio output supports SPDIF and RCA Left and right audio. As we speak, I have an RCA to 3.5mm jack coming into my Audigy 2 ZS's input and the output is 3 3.5mm jacks into my Logitech Z-6400's. Whats the best way to get 5.1 to my speakers for my TV source and my Xbox 306?

Check the model number again on the speakers, there are no 6400s.

640s maybe?

ah yes, sorry about that, now I sound like a n00b :/
yes the Z-640's

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Eomer of Aldburg

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Eomer of Aldburg
Sorry for not explain it all the way. Right now I have my HDTV source coming in into my HDTV via component and my Xbox 360 coming into my HDTV also via Component. My HDTV's audio output supports SPDIF and RCA Left and right audio. As we speak, I have an RCA to 3.5mm jack coming into my Audigy 2 ZS's input and the output is 3 3.5mm jacks into my Logitech Z-6400's. Whats the best way to get 5.1 to my speakers for my TV source and my Xbox 306?

Check the model number again on the speakers, there are no 6400s.

640s maybe?

ah yes, sorry about that, now I sound like a n00b :/
yes the Z-640's

It's also Xbox 360, not 306 (That's just a typo of course )

So anyway... I'll just be blunt - Those are budget speakers and to get everything working how you want it, you'll likely have to have a rather messy setup and you're still going to be using those budget speakers. If you want a clean setup for all your different sources and something that's going to be more capable of filling a room with sound rather than just one seating postition (I assume that's kind of what you're trying to do), you might want to think about getting a new system.

Something along the lines of Logitech z-680s or z-5500s are going to have the inputs needed for your computer as well as digital inputs you can use for the TV or Xbox. You'll have a more capable system in the end as well.

An entry level HTIB will also get the job done and there are some good options there. You probably weren't planning on turning this into a big purchase though eh?

 

[Eomer of Aldburg]

haah well, I've had my eyes on those Z-5500's for sometime. I think in a few months I'll finally pick up them up, even more because of my situation. Thanks guys, you saved me a lot of time and possibly money

oh about those typos, yes, I'm trying to study for my AP physics test when I get back off of break. The 360 and my pc are too much of a distraction though!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Maybe we better stop helping you so you can concentrate

I took the class for AP physics but didn't end up taking the test since the class was pretty bad and I didn't think I was going to know enough. I have my Physics minor done now though How things change :laugh:

I wont make any other suggestions do distract you, but if you want to come back at a less stressful time and think about other possibilities as options, I'd be glad to mention some others

 

[Eomer of Aldburg]

interesting, tell more more

 

[themisfit610]

I think it's too many inputs for your Audigy Home theater amp, or a speaker set with more inputs will be necessary

Good luck!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Eomer of Aldburg
interesting, tell more more

Well the sky is the limit really... are the z-5500s about your limit for budget?

 

[Eomer of Aldburg]

the more I think about it, 300 dollars is a lot of money just to get 5.1 :/
I think a video card upgrade from a 6800GT to X1950XT is a better use of that money

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Eomer of Aldburg
the more I think about it, 300 dollars is a lot of money just to get 5.1 :/
I think a video card upgrade from a 6800GT to X1950XT is a better use of that money

:laugh: fair enough