HTPC Audio Setup

[go_mustangs]

I am making the jump and cutting the cord on cable. I am up and running but not sure how to add my receiver and speakers to the mix. I'm hopeful someone on this forum can give me some help figuring this out.

I'm running vista media center on this computer (Acer Aspire X1300)

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/deskt ... 00rv.shtml

I would like to hook it up to this receiver (Onkyo TX-SR502)



I'll run a 5.1 speaker set up from the receiver.

It's a little confusing to me because the computer has HDMI out, but no SP/DIF out and the receiver has SP/DIF but no HDMI. I'm not at all snobby about my audio, just want to make it all work.

Any help you can lend as to what kind of cables I need and where I need to connect them to make this all work would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Scallica]

It's a little confusing to me because the computer has HDMI out, but no SP/DIF out and the receiver has SP/DIF but no HDMI. I'm not at all snobby about my audio, just want to make it all work.

Your only options are to install a PCIe low profile sound card with optical out, or buy a new receiver.

http://www.siig.com/it-products/multime ... e-849.html

By the way, I fixed both of your links because they were malformed...so always verify links after posting.

[go_mustangs]

Thank you for the fast informative reply. That certainly points me in the right direction.

Thanks Again

[dmagerl]

If you're not dead set on using HDMI, cant you just run the analog outputs from the computer over to the receiver?

[Wolfshadw]

A device like this 4X1 HDMI® Switcher w/ Toslink & Digital Coaxial Port would work. I actually have this and it does separate the audio from the HDMI and outputs to S/PDIF. While I don't think you need the 4x1, you could look for a 2x1.

-Wolf sends

[cjmccarthy72]

Or there are these USB options from Creative:

http://uk.store.creative.com/sound-blas ... 20055.aspx

http://uk.store.creative.com/sound-blas ... 19829.aspx


I had the first one- very handy for having a volume dial/knob so you can instantly turn your HTPC volume down- or up to 11!

Also if you are an audiophile, Creative have lots of tweaks + possible advantage of having an external sound card- less intererence.