Cable Length (1 Viewer)

[Mark Paquette]

Is there a limitation to the length of cable I can run from a digital out on a soundcard to my pre/pro? I'm not really up to speed on newer sound cards. What flavor is the typical digital out, coax or optical? I'm trying to find a simple way to play tunes stored on my PC on my HT setup.

 

[Tekara]

there is no typical cable to my knowledge. I've seen just as many use optical as I have digital coaxial. I have used a standard 50ft RCA cable to run a digital signal from my comp in the computer room to the living room without issue.

if your tight on cash the long cable runs are doable. . . though a dedicated HTPC is the better route as you can adjust everything on the pc for it's sole purpose.

 

[Mark Paquette]

Thanks for the info Rob. My cable run would be around 40 feet and it would easily be routable through the basement. Is there anything to look for / avoid when shopping for a sound card to send a digital signal to an HT setup?

 

[Tony Loewen]

Hey Mark, I'm looking into the same sort of set-up, a little more glorified, actually. I was asking around on here about a good sound card, and a couple that are definitely worth looking into are the M-Audio Revolutions 7.1 and the sound blaster audigy 2 ZG. I think I'm going with the Sound Blaster. Everywhere I looked, they were about the same price, $99. As long as you are going into a HT set-up, there's no need to spend the extra cash on a breakout box. Both have digital out and support 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1

Hope this is of some assistance!

Tony