Proper 5.1 audio

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huinz

42 posts

Geek

# 48254 13-Nov-2009 22:57

Hello

I have been really happy with my htpc that ive buit, ive got windows 7 media center with freeview and everything

But im just not noticing the audio difference with my sony home theatre syster 5.1 channel

i got one of those all in one systems with the receiver

and on the manual of the system, if i want to enjoy sound from my hdtv, i have to plug in the audio from the tv to the receiver, but i have been using basic analogue, red and white cables (component)

My receiver has all those SPDIF and other digital inputs,

So my questoin is, if i install an additional soundcard on my htpc, and connect using digital sound, will i get better sound as opposed to the analogue to tv.

NOTE: htpc is connected to tv via hdmi, then tv connected to reciever using analogue

sbiddle

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# 272930 14-Nov-2009 06:42

The answer is both yes and no.

TV3 is the only channel broadcasting 5.1 sound. Most of their shows that are broadcast in HD have 5.1 sound. Every other Freeview channel is only 2 channel stereo.

I don't think you actually need to buy an additional sound card, the ATI card you have should do 5.1 or maybe 7.1 sound via HDMI anyway and you could be using this now instead of seperate connectors for the audio.

The issue you will have is that virtually every TV on the market will only do 2ch stereo output from the TV SPDIF connection. This means you'll need to run the HDMI from the HTPC->AMP->TV to get 5.1 or buy a soundcard with SPDIF so you can run the video via HDMI from the HTPC->TV and then the audio from the HTPC->AMP

itey

402 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 272938 14-Nov-2009 08:23

all channels on freeview satellite are only in 2.1 right ?

smac

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 272949 14-Nov-2009 09:15

Your board has optical out; does your receiver have an optical in? If so, no need to run HDMI via the receiver (which I doubt an all-in-1 can do). Just HDMI straight to TV for video and optical to receiver for sound.

huinz

42 posts

Geek

# 272954 14-Nov-2009 09:32

I cant run HDMI via receiver, not high end enough i guess

My board has a SPDIF out connector, but I/O ports are only gigabit lan and usb

What do i have to buy to get a spdif out

my amp does hav spdif in

IF so will sound be better?

smac

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 272973 14-Nov-2009 11:08

You sure you don't have an optical out? All the info on the web seems to indicate it does.....

Also exactly what inputs does the receiver have other than "all those SPDIF and other digital inputs".

huinz

42 posts

Geek

# 273020 14-Nov-2009 14:12

i got a dav-hdx275 its got
'digital in' coaxial and optical

so i guess i need a soundcard with optical out put?

sbiddle

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# 273026 14-Nov-2009 14:47

You don't need a soundcard if your motherboard already has SPDIF output. You'll just need a backing plate to get the audio from the board.

smac

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 273041 14-Nov-2009 17:14

huinz read the above again....I'm going on the assumption you are talking about the motherboard in your signature line? If so, reviews on that board (and the pictures available) say you already have optical out. You don't need anything other than a toslink cable.

Either that or you're talking about a different board.