[mythtv-users] Surround Sound Amplifier System with Analog inputs

[Jason Weida]

Hi,

On Mon, Dec 22, 2008 at 5:06 PM, jonny Linux <jonnylinux at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have a SBLive Platinum 5.1 sound card, with a fairly basic set of
> speakers which I'm driving from 3 separate 3.5mm jacks. I'm thinking
> of getting a Home Cinema system, which would allow me to control the
> amplifier by remote control, and also play media without my combined
> Frontend/Backend being on all the time. I'm thinking of something like
> the LG HT303SU, but from looking at the specifications of it, I don't
> think I'll be able to connect all of my 5.1 channels as an input. Does
> anybody know of a system which would allow me to plug in all 5.1
> channels into it via 3 3.5mm jacks?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jonny
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>

I don't have direct experience with that card, but a quick googling for the
specs says it's capable of SPDIF (digital) output.  I presume that there is
a 3.5mm to phono cable that you could use to connect that card to any fairly
recent, Dolby Digital capable receiver with a coax digital input.  This all
depends on the availability of a driver for Linux which enables this
feature.  If so, this would be by far the most elegant solution, give you
the highest quality link between your PC and the receiver and eliminate the
possibility of ground loop hum.  There may be low cost digital output cards
available that others on the board know about that would be a better
solution than your current card.

Barring that, there are also receivers on the market with "direct" inputs.
I'm mostly familiar with harman/kardon gear, and they've had 6 or 8 channel
direct inputs on their receivers ever since Dolby Digital came about,
AFAIK.  This would require running three 3.5mm stereo to stereo phono cables
to the receiver.  (It's important to note that a so called "direct" input is
different than a pre-amp input.  The direct input will allow switching
between DVD, Myth box, Game console, etc.  The pre-amp in will not.)

I could not find any specs for that LG unit, but if I had to guess I'd say
it's possible that it has a coax digital input, and highly unlikely that it
has a 6/8 channel direct input.  If I were in your shoes, I'd plan on
getting SPDIF (either optical with a new card or coax with your current
card) running out of my myth box, and shop around for a system with a
digital input rather than messing with the 6 analog inputs.

HTH,
weida
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