Using an HTPC as a home audio reciever?

[runjorel]

So I sent this to Veronica and Patrick, but I figured I would ask you guys what you think.

Here's the dealey-O, I have a 37" LCD TV, a wii, possibly another console on the way, and a cheap dvd player to entertain me. I do not have cable. I watch either broadcast dtv, DVDs, or online movies/shows (rev3, hulu, and maybe soon netflix online) through my macbook hooked up to the TV. I want to add a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound to my setup as well as a dedicated HTPC so I dont have to keep moving the macbook all over the house (I use it for work during the day too).

So instead of hooking up an HTPC and other sources to a receiver, and then purchasing an 5/7.1 surround sound setup, can I just use the HTPC as the receiver and get a nice speaker system for the HTPC? I know I will have to purchase a sound card(s) to handle the
other digital sources such as the gaming consoles etc., but will I be sacrificing a lot of sound quality going this route?

Is there anyone else that does this that can advise me on their experiences?

Have a good one and thanks for reading my post.

[fishtoprecords]

PC motherboard audio chips are low quality. They may cost $3 or so. If you get decent powered speakers, they might sound OK. inside a PC is a bad place for quality audio, far too many thing making electronic noise. For any level of 'decent' sound quality, you have to at least get a stand alone sound card.

AV Receivers are about all that most stores sell anymore. They are inexpensive.

For a 'movie experience' you need at least 5.1 speaker setup, and at that many, you might as well get an AV Receiver.

[leftler]

I agree with the second post, the onboard audio isn't that good, plus all the outputs will be with mini jack connectors, you still need a amp and whatnot for a good system.

Most mid range to high end motherboards now have Toslink or a digital RCA connector. My recommendation would be get a nice (5-7).1 stereo receiver and connect it with a Toslink or digital RCA cable.

This one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856171003) is a dedicated bare bones case from Newegg it only has the digital RCA. This one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856167020) from MSI it has both RCA and Toslink, it also has a SCART connector if you live in the UK. both have HDMI output and come with remote controls.

Hope that helps.

[westudi]

I'm confused. It sounds as if runjorel was suggesting the use of a sound card, and not the onboard sound a motherboard would provide. Am I correct in this assumption? If so, couldn't a nice sound card yield sufficient 5.1/7.1 sound?

[fishtoprecords]

I'm confused. It sounds as if runjorel was suggesting the use of a sound card, and not the onboard sound a motherboard would provide. Am I correct in this assumption? If so, couldn't a nice sound card yield sufficient 5.1/7.1 sound?

I'm not clear on what the OP was writing.

A "nice" sound card could. But there aren't many of them, there doesn't seem to be an active market anymore -- probably due to all the integrated chips.

But many PCs have a SPDIF output, so you could run coax to the AV receiver and get as good as you want.

Most movie viewers don't care all that much about sound quality as long as its good enough and there is lots of subwoofer to handle the crashes and explosions.

[runjorel]

Some clarification to my original post!

The HTPC would definitely use a dedicated soundcard OR soundcardS to handle the multiple digital inputs from other sources.

The problem I trying to work around is that one way or another, I want to have a computer in my living room. Since I am living in a space that is limited, I am trying to see if I can eliminate a receiver and a DVD player out of my whole setup. So that instead of a receiver and a DVD player, there would just be my HTPC.

Ideally, I would then run all audio through the HTPC that is hooked up to a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup.

Now having said that, I know I will not get the quality of a nice receiver with some expensive speakers. I guess, at the end of the day, what I am trying to figure out is if the sound quality would be good enough for someone not to realize that the sound is coming from a computer.

In other words, would my fellow geeks that have come over to watch a movie and play some games cringe when they hear the sound out of my setup, or would they be like, "Man, I really didn't notice until you said something." And I would be like "AWWWW YEAH!!!"

[burkhartmj]

Some clarification to my original post!

The HTPC would definitely use a dedicated soundcard OR soundcardS to handle the multiple digital inputs from other sources.

The problem I trying to work around is that one way or another, I want to have a computer in my living room. Since I am living in a space that is limited, I am trying to see if I can eliminate a receiver and a DVD player out of my whole setup. So that instead of a receiver and a DVD player, there would just be my HTPC.

Ideally, I would then run all audio through the HTPC that is hooked up to a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup.

Now having said that, I know I will not get the quality of a nice receiver with some expensive speakers. I guess, at the end of the day, what I am trying to figure out is if the sound quality would be good enough for someone not to realize that the sound is coming from a computer.

In other words, would my fellow geeks that have come over to watch a movie and play some games cringe when they hear the sound out of my setup, or would they be like, "Man, I really didn't notice until you said something." And I would be like "AWWWW YEAH!!!"

With a decent soundcard and audiophile friends exluded, yea it'll be fine. Depending on your price range the speakers might be the weakest link anyway.

Something to consider though, since you plan on doing a surround setup, you need to either find a card that can handle the speaker cable receivers usually deal with or get speakers with soundcard friendly cables. I bring this up because the only surround speakers I've ever seen compatible with soundcards are computer speakers, and the receivers I've had experience with just used straight audio wires, devoid of any kind of connector whatsoever.

What kind of speakers do you plan on using? Oh and if you had that problem solved or I've had oddball experiences, forgive me, I'm more a computer hardware guy than A/V.

[runjorel]

With a decent soundcard and audiophile friends exluded, yea it'll be fine. Depending on your price range the speakers might be the weakest link anyway.

Something to consider though, since you plan on doing a surround setup, you need to either find a card that can handle the speaker cable receivers usually deal with or get speakers with soundcard friendly cables. I bring this up because the only surround speakers I've ever seen compatible with soundcards are computer speakers, and the receivers I've had experience with just used straight audio wires, devoid of any kind of connector whatsoever.

What kind of speakers do you plan on using? Oh and if you had that problem solved or I've had oddball experiences, forgive me, I'm more a computer hardware guy than A/V.

I was planning on using some computer speakers. Maybe something like these logitechs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121012 . However I am open to any other recommendations.

Thanks for your opinion, I really appreciate it!!!

[admflameberg]

I never use that model of speakers, I dont know how they sound. But they supposely not as good as the Z5300's. If you can find some Z5300's for 90-120 those would be a better choice then the ones your looking at. If your looking for digital neither of those are Digital speakers,Both of them are analog speakers.

Some people I seen tend to go the DIY route for there HTPC if they can afford it. I know Onkyo has made some good recivers, I dont really remember about speakers for the DIY since I haven really been looking at them for ages. A Home Theater speaker setup should be enough,but you have the DIY option if you can afford doing it. I pretty sure its do able for 200-300. I haven really look at the prices, but I sure if you shop around you may find some good deals.

As for noise, I haven really gotten noise at all while I was watching movies with sound cards. I have gotten it with the sound on my motherboard. While I was waiting for my sound card to come from preorder. But not on the sound card it self.

Personally I would go Digital with a HTPC if you can afford a digital speaker setup and if your motherboard has Digital out. When your watching movies with your favorite player set it to send the sound directly to the Reciver without touching the source.

[runjorel]

@AdmFlameberg - Thank you very much for your insight!!

I think I am leaning towards a custom built HTPC. While I am still a little apprehensive to make an investment into a project like this, I think I am starting to feel more comfortable with the idea.

Thanks a bunch!!!

[burkhartmj]

@AdmFlameberg - Thank you very much for your insight!!

I think I am leaning towards a custom built HTPC. While I am still a little apprehensive to make an investment into a project like this, I think I am starting to feel more comfortable with the idea.

Thanks a bunch!!!

Definitely custom build it. I have one with my TV and it's frggin sweet. need to get an HTPC case for it though [used to be my gaming desktop, tossed a digital tuner in it and put it in the living room, but the case looks horribly out of place]. Definitely invest a lot in the case, because it's more important than a normal desktop case, since it needs to look at home in your living room. I'd suggest one of the cases from the Zalman HD160 line. I personally wouldn't get the XT or XT plus because I see little use in a touchscreen LCD in a remote controlled system where you'll usually be at least 10 feet from it [HD160 standard and standard plud has a VFD like a dvd player screen on steroids] but it's up to you.