connecting PC to Home Theater

[JSVH]

[Thursday]

[Chris Edwards]

[James S]

You need a better soundcard, like the SB Audigy or SB Live! 5.1 for surround sound on your computer. There are MANY ways to hook it up, none of which are too hard if you know what you're doing. I'd suggest getting the MidiLand S4 7100 Plus (with the ADS2000 digital decoder) and using a S/PIDF digital input into the dolby decorder connecting all your speakers to it. Of course, the decoder doesn't like EAX or A3D, so that may be a problem if you've got lots of games that you want some dumb echo effects in .
The S4 MidiLand can be connected both to the computer and a receiver on your TV.
But if you want the BEST speakers for your computer and TV then go to and get the ProMedia 5.1 speakers. Those kick ass, my next purchase when I get $400 extra money.

[JSVH]

-The reciver I'm looking at does have 6 channels (well, the 5.1 thing)

-I have A Sound Blaster Live! Value card that has a bunch of conneters on the back (~6).

-I dont need 6 channeles of surround but the sound card has the front(stereo) and rear connecters.

-I had my mind on a converer (plug one end into the computer other into the Reciver), but is there such a thing?

-I am on a limited budget (max for PC connection: ~$120) so if it can be avoided I dont want to get a new sound card.

[James S]

Well, the most you can get out of your soundcard is a 4.1 connection, and that would be quite limited. I don't know of any surround sound speaker system for under $200 dollars anyway. I can't help you, I'm sorry.

[Chris Edwards]

I'm guessing he already has speakers, moose.

Anyways.. I'll have to look into the specs on the Soundblaster Live... I'm not sure how it handles surround. I'll get back to you on that.

[JSVH]

no, no the $120 is the max for the PC to Reciver connection. I am planning to buy a $500 Theater-in-a-box thing. This right here: http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=110 ... 2&scat=242

[James S]

The SoundBlaster Live! can only handle 4.1 speaker setups, it won't work with a center channel. You need the SB Live! 5.1 for true surround. You'll just have to not plug in your center.

[JSVH]

well can I have my TV-DVD-VCR use the 5.1 and the PC use 4.1?

[Chris Edwards]

Another good 5.1 sound card is the Santa Cruz Turtle beach. They run at about $50.

If your TV supports 5.1, than yes.. you can use it in your setup.

[JSVH]

I saw a sound card that has a "Digital out" and the reciver im looking at has a "digital in". I have not heard of a digital connection before, can I just buy a "digital wire" from the local electronics store and connect the two and have it setup?

[Chris Edwards]

i dunno.. it sorta sounds like it...

I don't want to tell you yes, and then you go buy it and it doesn't work

[James S]

Yes, that will work. It's the DIN or S/PDIF connector. That would work great, actually. The DIN will send all 6 channels to the decoder, which will then seperate them and send each channel to it's appropriate speaker.

[JSVH]