Speaker set-up help!

[projecteda]

I will be in the market for a good flat CRT after christmas. I was hoping there would be some way to use my computer as the reciever. I think I have the hardware:

Audigy 2
http://us.creative.com/product...ry=204&product=149

Logitech Z-560
http://www.logitech.com/index....ontentid=5044,detail=2

I would like to be able to enjoy my TV with my surround sound system. But using an RCA to headphone jack doesnt seem like the best way to ensure quality. Is this my only option? Anybody else use computer speakers with your TV? Or would a TV tuner card be the best of both worlds?

 

[projecteda]

someone?

 

[ed21x]

i personally use the RGB line to output directly to a TV, and use a TV Tuner card to handle all the tuning/signal decoding, recording, etc... for my htpc. It really is the best of both worlds, and is an excellent solution for a dormer like me.

 

[ed21x]

oh btw, i use an avermedia avertv studio card.

 

[CJP]

I'm not sure this is what you mean but I have a splitter (you can get one at Radio Shack or Sony Store) hooked up to the line-out of my sound card. One cable signal goes to my computer speakers and the other signal goes to my T.V. (an RCA cable with a RCA to Minijack converter on the computer end). I had a nasty ground loop hum from that that was solved by another product from Radio Shack called a ground loop isolator. For video I just use the S-video on my Radeon 9800 though I get a video hum (if that's the term, scrolling horizontal lines).

 

[projecteda]

ed, do you have a hi def tv? also, how does the audio sound? Its coming straight from your cable line, correct?

CJP, how is the sound quality with the RCA to minijack? Stereo sound, correct?

 

[projecteda]

also, do either of you guys have experience in ATI's HD tuner?

 

[CJP]

The sound is great and is in stereo (you have to make sure you buy a stereo splitter though). I just watched the new Primus live DVD and The Return of the King DVD and enjoyed them thoroughly. I have an Audigy Gamer soundcard and an Onkyo receiver hooked up to my T.V. The minijack splitter lowers the volume coming out of my computer speakers slightly but it is no problem since I just turn them up a bit louder. No white noise or anything is introduced though, the sound is just as good.

If you have your computer and T.V. on separate power outlets, you may get an electrical ground loop that could give you an audio or video hum (lines scrolling up your screen). If that happens you need
this or this. The first one is probably better as in my case I got the audio isolator and still have video hum so I'll probably get the video isolator which would solve both. By the way, the isolator from Radio Shack comes with a mini-jack to RCA cable converter so maybe it wouldn't hurt to pick it up for yourself anyway.

You want to use your T.V. with your computer speakers though which is different then what I do - Although the signal comes from my computer in both cases I use a totally separate Onkyo stereo with my T.V. and Logitech z-560's with my computer. Also, when I go to use my T.V. I switch my soundcard to 2.1 (from 4.1 with the z-560's) sound for a much stronger/better signal.