Sound card output (1 Viewer)

[Mike Nep]

What is everyone using to send signal to their receiver. what connections do I need to do this because my sound card doesn't have a digital coaxial out or a toslink. I think I'm screwed. Please help.

 

[Andrew Chong]

If I remember correctly, I've got digital coax coming from the S/PDIF on my Hollywood Plus card (a hardware mpeg decoder) to my receiver.

 

[brentl]

What type of sound card do you have?

Does it specify a SPDIF output? Lots do, you need to turn them on

You also need a 1/8" to RCA converter cable.

You should be able to run it into your receiver directly then.

 

[Scott L]

brentl- I have an SBLive! mp3+ and it does have a 1/8" jack that says S/PDIF. Where can I get a converter? I currently use a 1/8" --> stereo RCA out to the receiver, plugged into the analog audio out on the sound card. I guess I just need the same thing as that except it has to be mono.

 

[Jedd]

there are couple thing you can do, depending on the software you use:

like:

- to use mp3 ability of the receiver you have to go to winamp preferences and configure the plugin to send signal to the S/PDIF

-to watch movies in the PowerDVD you have to go to Audio options and select between Stereo and S/PDIF outputs

If you cant find these, you also can go to the Control Pannel -> Multimedia -> Audio and select playback option in the combobox.

 

[Mike Nep]

So you're all saying that the 1/8" to rca converter thingy will transfer a digital signal to my receiver?

 

[Chris Tsutsui]

Yes you'll need an adapter that has male 1/8" stereo mini plug on one side to female digital coaxial. Then use a digital coaxial interconnect from your sound card to your receiver.

If you play PCM stereo digital music it will sound fine. However, I don't think your soundblaster MP3 has AC3 dolby digital pass through. You might need a 5.1 compatable soundcard for that.

 

[brentl]

male 1/8" STEREO mini plug.

That's the biggy ... Stereo

Yep, unless it specifies DD5.1 you are pretty much stuck with Stereo(pro logic)

Brent

Just ask Radio Shack, they'll hook you up.

 

[Matt DeVillier]

However, I don't think your soundblaster MP3 has AC3 dolby digital pass through. You might need a 5.1 compatable soundcard for that.

that is incorrect. any of the sounblaster live cards with a digital output can pass a DD/DTS/PCM bitstream. The "5.1" series cards just have 6-channel analog output, whereas the non-5.1 series cards only have 4-channel.

Mike,

all you need is the 1/8" mono to RCA adapter, and a 75 Ohm RCA cable, nad you'll be set. to get 5.1 sound you need to be using a software dvd player which supports passing the dd/dts bitstream (current ones do w/o a problem) and have the audio output set to SPDIF. you might also have to enable digital output in the soundblaster control app somewhere.

 

[Mike Nep]

You guys all kick serious ass! Thanks for the help. Now I need some help configuring my HTPC to output picture to my JUST ARRIVED ae100! Anyone now the basics with winDVD and powerstrip? I'm such a newb aren't I? Please help.

 

[Scott L]

Yea that's what I was thinking. Digital bitstream is not stereo. We would need a MONO adapter.

 

[Mike Nep]

I have both stereo and mono so I'll try both. My receiver syncs to a digital signal and lights up a digital sign. I'll post again when I find out.

 

[Westly T]

I've heard that SB cards output overly high Coax outputs that have been known to damage some receivers and that the quality is not the best available. I ordered a Zoltrix Nightingale PRO 6 Sound Card because it can be had for around $40 and has both optical and coaxial inputs and outputs. I use it for DTS, DD, and PCM.

A Review can be viewed http://www.digit-life.com/articles/zoltrixpro6/