Computer set up to Home Theater

[Grey Ghost]

Guys,
I am having my Dell computer set up to be a home theater music and movie link. What do I need to hook my computer up to the TV and to have it hook up to my Pre-amp. Thanks for any help you guys might have.....

Grey Ghost
A.K.A Craig Elder

 

[Doug917]

Need more info about the computer. Generally speaking though, you need a video card with S-Video or better as well a an audio card that will produce 5.1 output id that is important to you.

 

[jaxvon]

Right on, more specs. If your reciever can handle DVI, most video cards nowdays have DVI output. This is a great-quality connection. But for the other stuff, yeah. More info.

 

[Grey Ghost]

Guys,
I have a Dell 4500 with a Pentium 4 2.53 processor, 80 gig hard, 512 megs of ram
My processor is a B&K Ref 50 S2....
I have a computer friend who is going to add memory etc.

Thanks,
Grey Ghost

 

[jaxvon]

Okay, we really need to know two things:

What kind of sound card do you have (make/model)?

What kind of video card do you have (make/model)?

These two things will determine what your capabilities are for hooking up to your receiver.

 

[Grey Ghost]

Jaxvon,
I want to get a new sound card, so you tell me what would be the one you would recomend? Also video card.....I am really green with this.....

Thanks,
Craig Elder

 

[nick_danger]

I just got done building my Home Theater PC... it's SO cool! I haven't tweaked it all yet, but here's what I've got:

Windows Media Center Edition 2005
3GHz Pentium 4 (the minimum requirement to view 1080p content on a HTPC according to Microsoft)
Optorite 12X DVD+/-RW
2X512 Corsair DDR400 (Dual channel)
2X40GB Western Digital Raptor 10,000 RPM hard drives (in RAID-0 configuration - SO FAST AND QUIET!)
ATI Radeon 9600 256MB with Dual-DVI and S-Video output
(My pride and joy) Sound Blaster Live Audigy4 Pro

I couldn't handle waiting for the case I wanted to come out, so I went to Best Buy last night and just got a temporary one to build my machine while waiting. The computer will eventually be housed in this Ahanix DVine MCE-601... except black:

http://www.ahanix.com/ahanix_product.asp?pid=25

Two other items I still have to get are:
300+GB Hard Drive for media storage
HD/SDTV Tuner/Video capture card

This computer is sick, the WMCE interface looks so fantastic on my plasma (through DVI) and the sound card connects without a hitch to my Yamaha receiver via the optical cable. The sound quality is the best I've ever heard off of a computer. The Audigy4 is basically the Audigy2ZS, but with better SNR. Would I be able to tell the difference? Probably not, but at least I can say I have a 4...

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/Audigy4pro/compare.asp

The case I'm using right now is a pretty sturdy unit with a really quite PCU fan and chassis fan. So far I've only been able to hear the computer when the volume is really low and it's defraging or doing a virus scan... Once I put it in its new case and find the right cabinet to put it in, I don't think I'll hear anything at all from it.

 

[jaxvon]

Okay, first the sound card. As I see it, there are two possibilities for brand: Creative (Audigy 2 ZS or Audigy 4), or M-Audio Revolution 7.1 or 5.1. I think either one would work well. There are ups and downs of both. They have about equal sound quality, but the Creative can do more processing. That said, M-Audio doesn't make you load up your system with useless garbage like Creative does. It's basically a straight up sound driver. On both cards, I'd say use the digital out to your reciever for sound. That way there are no adapters, no dongles, and only one cable (besides video) going from PC to preamp.

For video, well, it depends on what you want to do. If you reciever does DVI switching, then this is fine and dandy, but unfortunately you don't have that option. All modern video cards support dual monitors and have 1 analog 15-pin RGB output and a DVI output. This would simply be a plug n play operation. If you have a TV or projector with DVI in, then you could simply change sources when you want the PC to be displayed.

For you though, I would assume that you're going to end up with an adapter that changes your Analog RGB output to Component video. This should yield sufficient quality while allowing you to use yourpreamp as a switcher.

Brand recommendation on video card? That depends on what you already have. To get this info on your Dell, right click on the Windows desktop, choose Properties, Settings tab, click the Advanced button, then click the Adapter tab. This should display the make and model of your video card. If you have a cruddy integrated video card, or a lower end one, then an upgrade is likely needed. I would recommend an ATI card for the fact they produce less heat than their NVidia counterparts with comparable performance (and thusly use less power). I'd recommend what Nick_Danger is using or something of a similar price point.

From what Nick said, it looks like you might need a processor upgrade (on your computer). This is an easy operation, but judging from your current processor, I doubt your computer is compatible with the newest Intel processors that fit in that type of motherboard.

To Nick, I love your setup. I'm personally an AMD fan (let the flame war begin ), but that seems like an awesome setup. The Raptor RAID array must absolutely smoke (though last time I checked they were 36 Gig drives, not 40).

The thing about your computer though, is the fact that you built it. Unless Doug wants to build a new computer, he's stuck with a Dell, which means proprietary Hell. Unless he's a hardcore modder that wants to make a Dell motherboard and stuff fit in an ATX case, well, you know where he's stuck. Out of curiosity, where do you shop for your parts?

Grey Ghost, if you really want to take the time and money, then I'd say build your own machine. Use an Ahanix DVine case. Those things are beautiful brushed aluminum with a Vacuum Fluorescent Display. They look like a hi-fi component. This is a long and rambling post, but feel free to post more questions (or PM me).

 

[Sleestack]

OK. Ihave the same problem here. I have a Dell XPS Gen 4. It came with the Sound Blaser Audigy 2 ZS. The only digital out it has is a mini plug. I'm not sure that there are any cables that would allow me to use that out to get 5.1 cahnnels to my receivcer. I ordered a Sound Blaster Audigy 4, but much to my dismay,the power connector on the 2 ZS that came with the Dell is totally different than the one on the 4. My choice is either to find the cable that will allow me to use the mini plug on the 2ZS or figure out how to get an adapter for the power cable in the Dell. My other option is to get the 2NX, which seems to have a SPDIF out and connects through the USB.

Any help here would be appreciated. Aalso, if I don't end up using the 4... it will be available for $150.

 

[jaxvon]

Well, for the mini adapter, i would think a mini to RCA adapter would work fine, preferably a 75-Ohm one. On the Audigy 4, what do you mean by power adapter? The PCI-Slot interface on the card, or what?

 

[Sleestack]

Not the actual slot interface. There is a power cable that you are supposed to attach to the Pro4. There is only one cable running to the 2 ZS and it looks nothing like the standard connector on the 4.

So with the mini adapter... mini to rca to coax? Will it carry all channels on the digital signal? Aren't those RCA adapters for analog? I don't much about this stuff, so any help would be appreciated.

 

[jaxvon]

Well, mini to RCA should be sufficient (since digital coax is RCA terminated usually). But, yeah, they usually are for analog, which means it won't have a 75 Ohm impedance on the connection. You might want to surf around at Creative's website to see what you can dig up on an adapter. With digital, I believe that a digital S/PDIF connection (either optical or coaxial) will carry a 5.1 signal, so yes, it'll handle all the signals. However, it will only output a 5.1 signal with a 5.1 source. If you're listening to MP3s, it won't send a 5.1 signal unless you run it through a DSP (on your computer).

About the cable running to the Audigy 2 ZS, did it look anything like the attached picture?

 

[Sleestack]

This is the adapter I found on Creative's website It is for DIN or RCA.:

They specifically say that one of the connections is for the digital out into a digital RCA input on your stereo. My confusion is that they say it is for stereo... does that mean it won't work for 5.1?

As for your picturture... I can't see the prongs so well on your picture. I believe it is a picture of a 4(5?) prong power cord. The cable that Dell currently has running to the Audigy 2 SZ doesn't look like that. It is a multi pin (12?) connector much like the connectors used for the rest of the board interconnects.

 

[jaxvon]

Where does that cable run to (from the Audigy 2ZS)? If it's a multipin one, it sounds like it might be for an interface box in one of your 5.25" drive bays. Do you have one of these boxes? Or, it could be for the back panel oldschool joystick/midi adapter.

Did some looking at creative, and the Audigy 2 ZS has this feature:

Digital Out for 5.1 support(6-channel SPDIF output to Creative digital speakers

Thus, their description of the adapter is just the result of an ignorant web developer. Most people refer to any system that uses components as a "Stereo", regardless of its function being actually stereophonic or surround.

 

[Sleestack]

Hey, thanks for the help. I ordered the cable so we'll see how it goes. Too bad I'm not more knowledgeable or I would install the Audigy 4 Pro. The various internal cables are more than I want to deal with.

 

[mustang_steve]

For soundcards I use the Audigy2 ZS....bonus is the ZS has a DVD-A software player...so you can use the analog outs on your card to play DVD-A if you wished

Only complaints about the card are it's poor bass management (huge source of gripes on the computer forum I post in)...but again who needs that when it's on the receiver as well?

As far as hooking it all up...ratshack...they have some $5-7 1.8mm to RCA adaptors that work great for the analog part. I have no idea if Creative uses optical or coax for their digital out...or both...just because I'm a 2-channel guy...I just bought it because my onboard sound sucks

 

[jaxvon]

I'd personally go for an M-Audio Revolution card. The drivers are simple and clean and it has RCA output for the digital. They're about the same price as Creative cards too.

And for Sleestack, computer building/upgrading really isn't too hard to do. It might seem complicated at first, but it's really not that bad. Most of the connectors are idiot proofed too, so it's hard to screw up as long as you take your time and read directions.

 

[Grey Ghost]

Guys,
Thanks for your input! Nick Danger how much money did your Home Theater system cost you total? I might start from sratch like you did. Also, how often do you feel you will have to upgrade meaning faster processor more memory new sounds cards etc.....

Thanks,
Grey Ghost

 

[nick_danger]

First off, that "mini power cable" you need for the Audigy4 is very simple and very cheap (under TWO dollars). Most new cases come with at least one such power cord. It's identical to the mini power cord that you plug into a floppy drive. My Audigy4 came with an adapter cable to go from the normal 4-pin power to the small pin, but my power supply already had like three of them coming out of it. Here's what it looks like and where to get it:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=12-101-106&depa=0

I got hooked up by a friend for the CPU and motherboard a year ago, but altogether, all the parts cost about $1300. Keep in mind I still haven't got the Ahanix case, the massive HD, or the TV Tuner/AV Capture card. I'm guessing I have another $500 to spend. I purchased everything but the CPU and mobo from newegg.com. It's the greatest computer e-tailer I've ever seen. Shipping is CRAZY fast and the prices are usually the best in town. They also have most of the really hard to find items.

Yeah, the Raptors are really 36.7GB, but I just find it easier to say 40GB, because your average advertised 40GB drive is usually between 36 and 39GB in actual usable space. Meh. But you can see why I need to get a larger HD just for storage. All the games, programs, and the operating system will load on the RAID array, and all the media files will stay on the massive one. This not only helps with performance, but it saves you from having to worry about data loss. RAID-0 (striping) is the fastest RAID configuration you can have, but if one HD fails, they both fail. So it's really good to store you important files on a backup or at least be diligent about backing up files onto DVD or something.

The M-Audio cards are very good, I thought about buying one, but the reviews of the Audigy4 were just too good, plus you get so much useful software with Creative. I appreciate the barebones driver support of the M-Audio, but Tomshardware.com compared the two brands for CPU usage (basically how much of your computing power has to aid the soundcard in functioning) and found that Creative had really improved to the point where there was only a single-digit percentage difference between them in performance.

I'm still trying to figure out all the ports on the actual card and the breakout box, as in how I'm going to connect them to my receiver and stuff. I'm not sure exactly how the analog outputs on the soundcard itself can interface with my receiver. My receiver has analog 6-channel (5.1) inputs, so I could use three standard stereo mini-jack-to-RCA adapters to get the job done. But I'd rather use optical, so I may just detach my existing DVI upconvert DVD player and use its optical cable instead. I don't really need it now that my computer is the DVD player...

The breakout box for the Audigy4 has a total of 3 digital outputs: one optical SPDIF, one coaxial SPDIF, and then one mini-jack. The manual doesn't say that it's SPDIF, but it says "digital out" right under it. The manual shows pictures of it connecting directly to 5.1 and 2.1 speaker units with no mention of a receiver. I hooked up the breakout box to my receiver using the coaxial SPDIF port, but I could only get 2-channel response. The Yamaha manual says that the coax SPDIF input accepts 5.1 and I'm pretty sure I set up the soundcard settings properly... I'll toy with it some more.

All I know is that I don't hear one bit of static or computer hum. The soundcard output seems completely isolated from the other electronics in the PC. My original SB Live! card suffered from that a bit...

When it comes to PC upgrades, it takes a major change in technology to make me switch up to something. I really like to tweak my systems, to sqeeze every last bit a juice out of them. Upgrades for me really only come out of necessity. If there's a game or program that I really just NEED to play, I'll do the minimum to get it done. When it comes to this HTPC, though, I'm really trying to get the best of everything. I haven't bought a TV Tuner/Capture card yet because I want to have full HDTV capabilities, but it seems like a lot of the available cards have one or more problems or incompatibilities that I just don't want to deal with.

Good tip: If your TV doesn't have DVI input, you can buy this little gizmo to convert DVI to component output. It says it's compatible with ATI cards, but I presume that it would work on any DVI output... since the DVI spec is the same on all videocards...
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-999-903&depa=0

 

[Sleestack]

First off, that "mini power cable" you need for the Audigy4 is very simple and very cheap (under TWO dollars). Most new cases come with at least one such power cord. It's identical to the mini power cord that you plug into a floppy drive. My Audigy4 came with an adapter cable to go from the normal 4-pin power to the small pin, but my power supply already had like three of them coming out of it. Here's what it looks like and where to get it:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=12-101-106&depa=0

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Thanks, but my problem is not with the cable that powers the Audigy 4 Pro. It is with the cable that Dell has hooked up to the Audigy 2 Pro SZ. It doesn't look anything like the picture you posted. Nevertheless, I think i might have found the right adapter.... 4 prong power to 15 pin connector. I ordered it, but I might stick with the 2 SZ, b/c I'm running all my computer audio through a Yamaha receiver anyway.

If I had the time and know how I would definitely build my own computer, I paid about $2400 for the Dell XPS Gen 4 (w/o a monitor). It is a monster with all the bells and whistles, but not quite as fun as buliding your own.

Another question.... my Dell has a 2x 160 gig RAID configuration. I know it can be used a s a 320G ig drive or a true backup/security configuration. For the purpose of making backupfiles of MP3s, pictures and movies, am I better off using the RAID configuration or an external USB drive?