Can I get this kind of cable?

glemay
glemay Posts: 574
edited December 2006 in Electronics
Hey guys,

I've got a question regarding hookup of the sound card in my computer to my receiver. First of all, my receiver is a Denon AVR-1803. It has a digital coaxial input. My sound card is a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS, and it has a digital output on the back (it's a little mini jack).

My question is: How do I hook my sound card up to my receiver so that when I put a DVD in my computer I can get the 5.1 surround or DTS or whatever. Right now, im just hooked up using a Y splitter, RCA's to mini jack, but this doesn't give me the surround sound.

What do I need to do to accomplish this? What kind of cable do I need, single RCA to mini jack? Are there better options?

I think that covers my question, if not ask me for clarifications.

Thanks

Gerald
Main System:
Denon AVR-2805, Polk Audio RTi70's, Polk Audio CSi40, Polk Audio FXi50, Paradigm PW-2200 v.2, Toshiba 42XV545U HDTV

Second System:
Denon AVR-1705, Polk Audio R40, Polk Audio CS245i, Polk Audio R15, Paradigm PS-1200a
Post edited by glemay on
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Comments

  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited December 2006
    There are sound card outputs and then there are sound card outputs ... the question is ... what does your sound card put out ? ... stereo ? ... line out ? ... w/o at least line out on your sound card it's not likely you'll get 5.1 downstream ...

    Check the sound card documentation ...
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited December 2006
    I think there's a little Harman Kardon product that converts line out (computer, iPod, etc.) to SPDIF (Coaxial). I'll check on it, they're usually on ebay for a few bucks.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited December 2006
    Converting RCA analog L / R isn't going to give him DD5.1. What does he need to get that mini optical output to his receiver is the question. Sorry I didn't have the answer, but I understand your question.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited December 2006
    I think this is it: http://www.amazon.com/Harman-150-Computer-Interface-Coaxial/dp/B000062SUD/sr=1-32/qid=1166141094/ref=sr_1_32/103-1141810-2315865?ie=UTF8&s=electronics
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited December 2006
    The front panel of those audigy cards has an optical out, did you try using that?

    If you're going from the "mini jack" to regular analog RCAs and actually getting sound, then you're not going from the digital out at all.

    Or do you need one of these?
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited December 2006
    I don't own the HK product, but was thinking of trying one for $5 or whatever.

    Bob, these RCA/SPDIF to mini plug cables you just linked look even better.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • glemay
    glemay Posts: 574
    edited December 2006
    It great to see that you guys understand my question, lol. I'm not sure about that Harmon Kardon unit, but I think that cable that Bob posted might be what I am looking for, if it does what I think it will do...

    If I was to plug that cable into the digital out on my sound card and into the digital coaxial input on my amp, will my computer be able to send a signal which my amp will be able to recognize and convert or whatever the term is, into DD5.1?

    In short, will it give me the same results as my DVD player did? I think this makes sense... sorry if I'm confusing anyone.

    And I don't have an optical cable so I haven't tried that yet.

    Thanks again,

    Gerald
    Main System:
    Denon AVR-2805, Polk Audio RTi70's, Polk Audio CSi40, Polk Audio FXi50, Paradigm PW-2200 v.2, Toshiba 42XV545U HDTV

    Second System:
    Denon AVR-1705, Polk Audio R40, Polk Audio CS245i, Polk Audio R15, Paradigm PS-1200a
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  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited December 2006
    That appears to be the correct cable and assuming the DVD drive in your PC is AC-3 SPDIF capable then yes that should be the ticket.
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
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  • glemay
    glemay Posts: 574
    edited December 2006
    Hmmm..... That I am not sure of; would need to ask my buddy....

    This is getting complicated, lol, if it's not one thing, it's something else, lol.

    Thanks again guys,

    Gerald
    Main System:
    Denon AVR-2805, Polk Audio RTi70's, Polk Audio CSi40, Polk Audio FXi50, Paradigm PW-2200 v.2, Toshiba 42XV545U HDTV

    Second System:
    Denon AVR-1705, Polk Audio R40, Polk Audio CS245i, Polk Audio R15, Paradigm PS-1200a
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  • TheReaper
    TheReaper Posts: 636
    edited December 2006
    In addition to the physical connection. You will also have to set your dvd player software to spdif pass through. In your sound card settings you will also have to setup spdif output, and with some soundblasters you have to disable ac3 decoding.
    Win7 Media Center -> Onkyo TXSR702 -> Polk Rti70
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  • glemay
    glemay Posts: 574
    edited December 2006
    AAHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!!!! It works, this is great. I just received a reply to an e-mail I sent Creative, and they explained what I needed to do in order to obtain my Dolby Digital. It looked liked I was on the right track. The only thing I forgot about was the player. All that needed to be changed were some of the setting in the player. How about that...

    So now I have my digital coaxial cable plugged into the SPDIF output on my soundcard which is then plugged into the digital coaxial input on my amp.

    This just made my day, sweet. lol

    Creative is quite the supportive company with good customer service.

    Thanks again,

    Gerald
    Main System:
    Denon AVR-2805, Polk Audio RTi70's, Polk Audio CSi40, Polk Audio FXi50, Paradigm PW-2200 v.2, Toshiba 42XV545U HDTV

    Second System:
    Denon AVR-1705, Polk Audio R40, Polk Audio CS245i, Polk Audio R15, Paradigm PS-1200a
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