sound card for 5.1 decoder

[alphatarget1]

ok guys here is the breakdown:

my dad has an extra 5.1 processor (for DVDs and such) and having some extra stuff on the computer and as well as extra speakers, a small HTPC came to mind...

what i have:

logitech z340 2.1 system
an aiwa mini system with 2 speakers

getting another speaker for the center channel would not be a problem. what I have now is a sound blaster live! 5.1 OEM and I'm not sure if i can hook that up to the 5.1 processor. I also don't have a DVD drive at the moment but when i do, how do i hook it up to the soundcard so i can get 5.1 sound? thanks for any advice!

 

[Pariah]

my dad has an extra 5.1 processor

What does that mean? A receiver?

I also don't have a DVD drive at the moment but when i do, how do i hook it up to the soundcard so i can get 5.1 sound?

You can't, the Live 5.1 w/out a Live drive does not have digital in (or 5.1 analog in which no mainstream sound cards have). If you have another 5.1 decoder which you seem to say you do, that's what the DVD drive would connect to, not the sound card.

 

[alphatarget1]

Originally posted by: Pariah

my dad has an extra 5.1 processor

What does that mean? A receiver?

I also don't have a DVD drive at the moment but when i do, how do i hook it up to the soundcard so i can get 5.1 sound?

You can't, the Live 5.1 w/out a Live drive does not have digital in (or 5.1 analog in which no mainstream sound cards have). If you have another 5.1 decoder which you seem to say you do, that's what the DVD drive would connect to, not the sound card.

ok the surround processor, it's sort of like a pre-amp. you plug in the optical output or RF/coaxial source and it puts out 5.1 channels. i do have an extra amp laying around also. the logitech 2.1 might also be a problem since the subwoofer doesn't have a subwoofer out anyway.

 

[Pariah]

You shouldn't need an amp. The Logitech's are powered as is the minisystem. The DVD player connects to the preamp using either of the digital inputs. There's no need for a sound card.

 

[Auric]

Pariah, you seem befuddled (from lack of sleep)? kenleung is talking about a home theater PC with soundcard and DVD-ROM drive with sound output to an external decoder.

The Live! can be hooked up to the decoder from the digital output (orange) with an RCA 3.5mm mini plug to composite jack adapter (do not use an audio cable adapter because a solid core is required). Then use a standard composite RCA plug video cable between it and the coax input on the decoder. No cables are required for the DVD drive besides the IDE ribbon. The soundcard software must be configured to digital output and the DVD software should be configured for S/PDIF.

Since you have the decoder and amp the Logitech and Aiwa components probably will not be necessary apart from the speakers. But as you allude to it all comes down to the connectors and capabilities of this mish mash you are trying to put together. Presumably the decoder or amp has a subwoofer line out so maybe one of PC speaker amps could drive the sub? It is bound to be weird. Also, make sure the resitance (ohm) of the speakers are the same and compatible with the amp (sometimes they have a switch for 4 or 8 or only support one).

Before getting a drive you may want to download and test a VOB format DD/DTS trailer. There are many from those companies and THX available.

Good luck!

 

[Pariah]

Duh on me, you're right. I read dvd drive as dvd player for some reason. What he said.