Newb building a HT system!! (1 Viewer)

[Matej]

Hi, I'm new here-hence i am in the newbie section. I am putting together my first HT system and I am trying to figure out what of my stuff I can use.

I want to include my computer as the DVD player(it has a ATI AIW 8500DV graphics card so I can get composite out)-is this a reasonable solution?

I also have a sharp 27" TV; small, I know, but I can't fit or afford much bigger so it'll have to do.

Sound is my biggest problem.
I have Klipsch Promedia v.2-400 speakers and a sound blaster live! value sound card. It only can do 4.1 dolby digital and THX sound.

I want to get a system that can get 5.1 dolby digital.

What do your recomend? starting from scratch on the sound or can I salvage somthing here?

 

[Jeffrey Forner]

You'll probably have to start over if you want 5.1 sound.

Tell us, what's your budget?

 

[Matej]

Well I am looking in sub $500 and i would like to avoid HTIB and I want want something with descent sound and an upgrade path--perhaps I am too optimistic? Oh yeah, can I use a sound card (not mine -a new one, say... an audigy) to act as the processor/preamp?

 

[Jeffrey Forner]

The Home Theater Direct Level ONE speaker system paired with a Onkyo TX-SR500 receiver would probably be your best bet in that price range.

 

[David Dhaus]

Just checked on the HTD Level 1 set up and it is certainly interesting for someone at my budget. The speakers seem pretty close to the Onkyo setup on its HT-S650, although Onkyo's have wood cabinets and I've heard that makes a difference. Also, the HTD sub is at 4 ohms. (For all I know, so is the Onkyo - the specs do not show the sub ohms.) Does that make a difference to the amp? Or is that what the separate power is for on the sub. (Sorry, this newbie is a bit confused! And yes, i've read the primer)

 

[Andy Z]

Hi Matej,

Sound is my biggest problem.
I have Klipsch Promedia v.2-400 speakers and a sound blaster live! value sound card. It only can do 4.1 dolby digital and THX sound.

I want to get a system that can get 5.1 dolby digital.

What do your recomend? starting from scratch on the sound or can I salvage somthing here?

You're lucky as the AIW DV has an AC3 (S/PDIF) passthrough on it already, so all you need to do is connect this cable to your receiver. No need for a sound card when watching DVDs! Just make sure your receiver has a compatible S/PDIF in (most will). In the ATi DVD Players audio settings, just set the audio to "S/PDIF output". On normal R8500s like mine there is no pass through so i have set the audio output to pass through a soundcard.

You've got what you need, all you have to decide on what to buy is which receiver and speakers. I dont know about the speakers you mentioned, but you might be able to use them with whatever receiver you buy..