Sound card help for an HTPC build. I can't wrap my head around this.

[dak125]

What's up guys?

I'm building an HTPC for my sister and I'm having trouble wrapping my head around the sound situation. IE, which sound card to purchase and how is the wiring going to be setup?

Here's how it's going to be setup (potentially!):

Inputs into TV:
1) HD Cable box
2) HTPC via component cable

Output:
-Optical out of the TV back into the sound card?
-Optical out to Logitech Z-5500's

If i'm not explaining this correctly, please excuse m. Ask any questions you may have! What sound card should I purchase to make this work (budget minded)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

This may help a little?
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=1940133&enterthread=y

Is there any gaming going on from the computer?

Are you trying to get sound off the TV to record on the computer, or do you just want to have the computer speakers play the sound from the TV?
If you're not trying to record, then you can just run straight to the speaker control pod without going through the soundcard.

If no gaming is involved and you just want to get surround sound from movies and such that you play from the HTPC, you might just look for a motherboard that has integrated digital audio output. For ease of connections, a digital coaxial output would work best so you can use the optical out from the TV to the speakers and then just switch to digital coaxial when you want to use the HTPC.

This could all be really bad advice if that's not what you have planned though

More info needed on usage.

 

[dak125]

Sorry about the lack of information!

There will not be any gaming going on. Basically, I want the surround sound speakers to be the sound that the whole system uses throughout. IE, you turn the TV on and the sound goes through the speakers. Watch a DVD through the HTPC and the sound goes through the speakers as well.

Also, this system won't be recording TV. She has a DVR through her cable company. This system will be her only PC but it's main function will be music, AVI's, use as a DVD player, and email.

I think what you suggested in regards to the built in sound might be best, I honestly never even considered it (my sister will like the idea for the price ). So, do you still think your suggestion would be best? Thanks much!

EDIT: Does this motherboard have the output you're discussing? Would the sound quality be less than an additional sound card? Thanks.

EDIT #2: I just reread your post, would my sister literally have to unplug, and then plug in a different cable when she wants to switch from TV to HTPC? This is her TV. Thanks!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Looking at the TV, I think it has a digital coaxial output (RCA) for the sound. "Digital Audio Output Stream S/PDIF (RCA Jack)"

That means you'd want a motherboard with digital optical output (toslink) for the sound. The motherboard you linked to has that, so it should work fine.

Digital audio output from a soundcard vs. a motherboard shouldn't make much of a difference especially if you're not looking for gaming features.

To switch between sources, you'll just need to change the input setting on the z-5500 control pod, not physically move cables.

Digital Coaxial for the TV, Digital Optical for the Computer.

 

[montypythizzle]

No, it would be coax out from the cable box, and then optical out from the computer (I recommend AV710 for just passing DD and DTS streams, NVM that mobo has one).

The TVs coax out is just for it's tuner.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I guess I was thinking of my parents system where they tune cable through their TV an get digital audio from their TV

Yeah, if the TV doesn't have passthrough of digital audio (which it doesn't appear to), then you'd want to use the digital audio output from the cable box.

 

[dak125]

Great, thanks for the posts. I just left a message for my sister, she's going to have to check to make sure her cable box has a digital audio output.

Would this toslink cable do the job from the motherboard to the speakers? I'm still trying to find the digital coaxial cable on their site, gimme a minute . EDIT: I can't find the S/PDIF cable. Any suggestions as to where to purchase one from?

EDIT: Here is her cable box (page 13 has a picture of the connections available). It has S/PDIF out, that's what I want right?

 

[montypythizzle]

Any in this top bracket will work:
http://www.monoprice.com/produ...102&cp_id=10229&style=
(Toslink to Toslink)
And any of these will work:
http://www.monoprice.com/produ...102&cp_id=10236&style=

 

[dak125]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
Any in this top bracket will work:
http://www.monoprice.com/produ...102&cp_id=10229&style=
(Toslink to Toslink)
And any of these will work:
http://www.monoprice.com/produ...102&cp_id=10236&style=

Awesome, thank you!

 

[cheesehead]

My advice?

Ditch the 5500s and get a proper reciever (even a cheap one off Craigslist) and some real speakers. It's like playing a SACD through those free headphones you get on airplanes.

 

[dak125]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
My advice?

Ditch the 5500s and get a proper reciever (even a cheap one off Craigslist) and some real speakers. It's like playing a SACD through those free headphones you get on airplanes.

What's wrong with the 5500's? My sister isn't an audiophile by any means and I was hard pressed to find any other system to compare these to for the price. What's wrong with them?

 

[workiswretched]

Dude, here's the answer, i had the exact same dilemma. My setup is as follows:

Going into my z-5500s

Soundblaster X-Fi Music ---> analog 6channel
Cable box audio ----> digital coax
DVD player ----> Optical cable

The z-5500s are perfect for this setup because they are so compact yet powerful in input features. It's the easiest thing in the world switching inputs, and if you pick yourself up a decent remote the whole system becomes a snap. Don't ditch them, they'll work just fine for your situation.