5 replies to this topic

[Pjsprojects]

Anyone up on AV setups? 

 

I want to buy a cheap used av amp to run from the tv that is plugged in to our PC/Games consoles. I want to get 5.1 and have already bought some nice Acoustic solutions 8ohm small front speakers. My question is how do i get the full 5.1 audio from the source?

 

I know i can use optic cable for the PS3 but how does twin red/white rca send more than two channel output on the pc? most of the used av amps don't have hdmi connections so i can't use that option which is what my front room setup uses. 

[grahamf]

Red/white rca is usually stereo, unless a company uses a proprietary hack to pass a digital signal over the wires.

Generally you need to see if your tv has a optical out, or even supports hdmi-arc, in which case you just connect the hdmi-arc compatible reciever between any device and the tv's hdmi-arc port and it works, even if you're using a device connected to a different hdmi port on the tv.

[Pjsprojects]

Red/white rca is usually stereo, unless a company uses a proprietary hack to pass a digital signal over the wires.

Generally you need to see if your tv has a optical out, or even supports hdmi-arc, in which case you just connect the hdmi-arc compatible reciever between any device and the tv's hdmi-arc port and it works, even if you're using a device connected to a different hdmi port on the tv.

Thanks,i heard that HDMI was not so clear cut. Guess i need an av amp with either a few optical inputs or HDMI then, looking at the list it's either going to be a Marantz SR390,Philips FR731 or Kenwood KRFV-5010. All are old now but good enough for games.

[alan123]

you can send 5.1 signals via, HDMI, Optical & Digital Coaxial leads, i would say that any decent Amp you buy now will support all of these, as for getting audio from a PC you would need a sound card with the correct outputs, mine has individual leads for each audio stream, i will also say that you could probably pick up a decent new amp for the price of a used one.

[Pjsprojects]

I just bought a Sherwood 5.1 amp with two optical inputs and three sets of five way rca inputs so all i need now is a sound card with all the outputs. Didn't want to risk my tv not being the correct HDMI so stayed away from those type connections.

[Gamejunkie]

I just bought a Sherwood 5.1 amp with two optical inputs and three sets of five way rca inputs so all i need now is a sound card with all the outputs. Didn't want to risk my tv not being the correct HDMI so stayed away from those type connections.

There is no reason to be concerned about HDMI as even there are different versions they are compatible with all devices that use HDMI.