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General discussion

can sound card replace a....

Jun 28, 2005 2:57PM PDT

can a sound card in a media center pc replace a a/v reciever in sound? or would i still need a a/v reciver?

Discussion is locked

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Can a sound card replace a a/v receiver?
Jun 29, 2005 1:44AM PDT

Hello,

Yes, a sound card can replace your receiver to an extent. You run into problems when you want to start connecting external components such as a VCR and/or Game Console etc.

Your computer acts as a DVD player, CD player, MP3 Player, Digital Video Recorder, DVD Burner, HDTV tuner and video file player.

However, the speakers you use with the PC have to be powered through the subwoofer of the PC speakers, because the sound card has no amplication power to drive the speakers whatsoever. You can get 5.1 - 7.1 THX certified surround sound speakers. The sound card through software is capable of handleing Dolby Digital and DTS signals.

But if you are looking at achieving the same power with a sound card and PC speakers as that found with a/v receivers you find in the stores, the PC speakers subwoofer simply does not have the power to drive the speakers like that of a A/V Receiver that drives the 5-7 speakers with the subwoofer self powered.

So, if you have a small home theater room, you can use the PC speakers with great success, but once the home theater room gets to large, forget it, you will need a A/V receiver.

By the way, I am almost finished with my 200+ page ebook on building a home theater PC and cover this information extensively.

Hope that helps.

Take Care,

Shawn Mosqueda
WireSmart LLC
www.wiresmart.com
shawn@wiresmart.com

How To Build A Home Theater PC ebook coming soon! visit www.wiresmart.com

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thank u, another question thou
Jul 8, 2005 3:48PM PDT

thank you so very very much that really clairified things, but i am also wondering i what if the sound card had audio in as well wouldnt u be able to hook up a vcr and game system requiringthat i also had a video or tv tuner card that had video in as well?

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I will be getting ure book as well
Jul 8, 2005 3:49PM PDT

also i will concider getting ure book it seems like something extreamly useful.

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Video, Sound cards and Gaming console + VCR
Jul 9, 2005 2:10AM PDT

Hello,

Yes, you could hook up the VCR to the sound and video card with the gaming console hookup to the VCR.

In order to hookup the VCR to the sound card you will need a adapter (2 RCA to stereo jack) that is inserted into the "line in" port on the sound card.

At this time I would not even worry about connecting with a optical cable or digital coax to the sound cards for sound. Most sound cards only except stereo digital input/output. This will be changing soon.

Then connect your VCR to your video capture/tuner card using a s-video or composite video cable.

Then you are done with your connections.

If you have not purchased your video and sound card, I would recommend "LeadTek's Winfast 2000" series of video capture cards and I would highly recommend Creatives Audigy 2 value card. The Audigy will provide up to 7.1 surround sound and is definitely the most bang for your buck.

By the way, when my ebook is available it will come with 2 years of free revised editions that will come out every six months to keep up with technology.

Hope this helps and if you have any other questions, let me know.

Take care,

Shawn Mosqueda
WireSmart LLC
www.wiresmart.com
shawn@wiresmart.com

How To Build A Home Theater PC ebook coming soon! visit www.wiresmart.com.