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#1
January 11th, 2008, 10:19 PM
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 Cheap optical in... So, after I moved I have significantly less space for my stuff. I have one desk in my room that basically has my tv/computer/game systems on it... So, I'm using my tv as my monitor. Because I have this set up I started to think about using my PC's speakers for my tv/gaming. My 5.1 surround from my PC would be a lot better then my tv's built in speakers... My tv has an optical out so I'm wondering if I get a sound card with an optical in could I just run the optical connection that way and be good? What is a cost effective way of doing this? I think I have one PCI and PCI-E slot left open... Thanks in advance for the help!
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#3
January 12th, 2008, 01:20 AM
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| Ok, so whats a good option? I found this: Newegg.com - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio VARPAK 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Express Interface Sound Card - OEM is that any good? Why would it have trouble converting from digital to analog anyway? I'm not running it through a separate sound system I'll be running to to my computers speakers...
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#4
January 12th, 2008, 01:35 AM
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| TBH it seems like only decent cards have an optical in anyway. Nothing under $50 has one. At least not that I could find...
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#5
January 12th, 2008, 01:38 AM
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| Your speakers use an analog signal, as do all speakers. The card does a conversion unless the speakers receive the optical signal and have hardware to decode it built-in. I've never seen that particular card before, but it's a Creative, so it's probably good. EDIT: After reading some reviews it sounds bad. Go for a more mature card on the PCI bus if you can. Apparently that's the first PCI-E sound card.
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#6
January 12th, 2008, 04:35 AM
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| Damn, I wanted a PCI-E card... Any suggestion on a PCI card? Isn't everything on the computer converted from a digital format to analog? If I play mp3's aren't those digital being converted to analog to play? How would a signal from the tv be different? Not trying to flame or anything, I really just want to know.
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#7
January 12th, 2008, 05:12 AM
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| Well, that's the point. The better the card is the better all of the sound coming out of the computer is. I haven't been shopping for sound cards for a while and I haven't ever wanted optical, so you're on your own. I suggest seeing what Creative has to offer first, as it's generally a very good brand. The higher the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and the lower the total harmonic distortion (THD) the better. Pay attention to user reviews, too.
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#8
January 12th, 2008, 10:23 AM
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| Hmmm, maybe I'm not that big of a sound buff but, my onboard audio with my lower level speakers sound fine to me. I'm guessing that I just wouldn't notice the difference as much. I seriously just want the optical in, I wouldn't care if I still used the onboard audio.  I'll check out creative's offerings though.
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#10
January 12th, 2008, 12:00 PM
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| Based on your avatar, I'm guessing Sweden, so here's a local link to a cheap and cheerful Terratec 5.1 with optical in and out. Approx. $33.. It may be susceptible to interference though as some have reported noises and crackling, yet others are very pleased... |
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