Altec GT5051 to Toshiba MD14FP1

[Bwangster12]

I recently bought the Altec Lansing GT5051 5.1 speaker system for my computer and now I want to try and hook it up to my TV which is right next to my computer. The back of the system's subwoofer has the red and white RCA plugs and my TV has:

RCA Video In (front) 1
L-R Audio Inputs (front) 1 pair
Coaxial Digital Audio Output (rear) 1
RF Input (rear) 1
Headphone Jack (front) 1

Is there a way to go plug these into my TV? I am using the red,white and yellow plugs for my Playstation 2 currently and don't really want to constantly have to switch the cables to play my PS2 or the speakers.

 

[markw]

Your TV has a digital audio output on the back but no red/white audio outputs there?

Since there is no digital audio source in a TV this seems unusual to me but what do I know? What does that "coaxial digital" output look like?

Computer speakers sometimes have some sort of mini plug input for connection to a computer. My lil Altecs do. You could use that into your TV's headphone jack.

 

[Bwangster12]

The digital audio out is a 1 plug terminal. I'm assuming I'd need to get some sort of Digital audio out to RCA connector or something. IDK... the instructions regarding my speakers just talks about the Dual RCA plugs because it assumes everyone has these.

 

[markw]

Um....

I really don't think your TV has a digital output. I could still be wrong but you might want to check your manual.

 

[Sheep]

You should mention your TV has a dvd player in it, too.

Here is it on the website

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/televisions/product.asp?model=MD14F11

Your computer speakers are only analog. If you want to use this coax out, you need a digital decoder. Klipsch and Creative make separates, but they cost a bit of $$.

SheepStar

 

[markw]

You're gonna need to use your headphone jack.

Sheep is (are?) right. It would have been nice had you mentioned that there was a built in DVD player involved here. You just can't simply convert the DVD's digital output to analog without a DD/DTS HT receiver or a DAC.

I read your manual on line. Using the examples they give on page 2, you will need to use the hookups (and supplied cables) specified for either "Portable Audio Devices" or "2 Channel/Stereo Sound Cards".

At worst, you'll need a 1/4" to 1/8" stereo headphone adapter on the TV if the TV has a 1/4" jack. Check RatShack or anywhere for these. They are neither expensive or difficult to find.

For what it's worth, the DVD's digital output won't pass audio from the TV, just audio from the DVD player. The headphone will pass everything. It may or may not be stereo, but that's about the best you can do here.

 

[Bwangster12]

Would something like this help me? http://www.axshop.com/details.aspx/sku-1041/

The other thing is... I have an older receiver that is not in use in my house that I could try. The thing is... I don't think there are RCA plugs, I'll have to check... there might only be those speaker wire clips. If this is the case would I be able to somehow connect the speakers to the receiver and then the receiver to the Digital Audio Out?

Or am I better off just getting a cable like above (RCA to 3.5) for my speakers. I don't use the headphone jack on the tv anyway.

How would the speakers work if plugged into the TV AND computer? Which would use it?

 

[markw]

Unless that receiver is a HT unit with a digital coaxial input it would just complicate matters and not offer any improvement. In any case it will not be worth it with those speakers.

Didn't you get the cables mentioned in the manual when you bought the speakers? Check the manual and the unit itself. The manual says your system HAS a 3.5 mm input. Here's a link to Altec's web site where a pdf file of your manual lives should you be lacking it.

http://www.alteclansing.com/product_details.asp?pID=GT5051

If you simply want to spend money then that cable you linked to should work for your TV.

Dunno about your computer. For the usual sound card stereo outputs it should be a natural. Check the hookup instructions in the manual. I'm not a computer geek* so I don't know much else about sound cards.

*This is not meant as an insult.

 

[Bwangster12]

The problem with using the 3.5mm line is that the cable is connected to my computer. I want to somehow connect the speakers to the computer AND the TV. It says I can do it all at the same time.

I have a Creative Audigy 2 Value soundcard. I could run a cable from my soundcard to my tv... but IDK if this is even doable.

My soundcard has a Digital I/O (for stereo SPDIF output to Digital I/O Module**). The connector on the back of my card isn't even used right now. Is it possible to get a cable and connect the TV to my sound card? If so... how do I use the speakers like this?

 

[Bwangster12]

I took the 3.5 jack and connected it to the headphone jack on my tv and I only get front speaker output. Is there no way to get all 5.1?

 

[Sheep]

I took the 3.5 jack and connected it to the headphone jack on my tv and I only get front speaker output. Is there no way to get all 5.1?

You would need ot get a couple of those cables, and the a plug that has 3 outputs, and a whole bunch of crap. It would be complicated as hell, and very jerry-rigged.

You should just invest in a receiver.

SheepStar

 

[Bwangster12]

The digital audio connector on my 7.1 sound card to the digital coaxil out on the back of my tv woudln't work? Isn't that like using my sound card as a receiver?

 

[Sheep]

The digital audio connector on my 7.1 sound card to the digital coaxil out on the back of my tv woudln't work? Isn't that like using my sound card as a receiver?

Wait, you have a Digital in on your sound card?

YES! Then ues that ! It will work! RAR!

SheepStar

 

[Bwangster12]

Wait, you have a Digital in on your sound card?

YES! Then ues that ! It will work! RAR!

SheepStar

Will that give me the output out of all the speakers? It will be like using my sound card as a receiver right? I am just not sure I will be able to use the speakers for my daily computer usage and my tv usage. Is there something I click to distinguish which gets the speakers?

And most importantly after all of this... what is the name of the cable I need to go from the Digital I/O (for stereo SPDIF output to Digital I/O Module) to the Digital Audio Out (coaxil on the back of my TV)?

 

[Sheep]

Will that give me the output out of all the speakers? It will be like using my sound card as a receiver right? I am just not sure I will be able to use the speakers for my daily computer usage and my tv usage. Is there something I click to distinguish which gets the speakers?

And most importantly after all of this... what is the name of the cable I need to go from the Digital I/O (for stereo SPDIF output to Digital I/O Module) to the Digital Audio Out (coaxil on the back of my TV)?

You would have to check you menu. It should have a setting t0 enable the digital in and whatnot(whatnot = Setting up speakers and whatnot...).

SheepStar

 

[markw]

Using the pdf user's manual linked in post 8 0f this thread..

...what connection scheme on page 2 do you use to connect your sound card to the speakers?

Asuming that that scheme works properly, it could provide some insight into your situation.

But, unless your sound card has some provision for an external digital input, I think you're SOL. The connection on the back of the DVD is called a "digital co-axial" connection. Virtually any interconnect with an RCA plug on that end will work.

I have no idea what the input, if any, on your sound card uses. Again, check with either the owner's manual or a computer geek. Without a digital input that accepts a DVD's digital signal on your sound card it's pretty much game over.

You DO have the manual or instructions for the sound card, doncha? You're gonna need it big time here.