Digital Sound

[PeteJ]

Wasn't sure if this should go in PC or DVD, but no worrys!

I took delivery of these yesterday, and however awesome they are for PC use, I'd also like to connect them to multiple systems such as DVD, Xbox etc. I understand that for xbox I need the advanced pack, which I'll pick up at some point, but for the DVD player I need a digital lead - either Optical or Coxial.

Can anyone tell me the difference between them, or prices? I've done a quick search but the Internet isn't being particularly helpful today.

Also, for the PC my sound card is a AudigyZ2 - the digital input seems to be a different shape to what I've seen before; almost like a smaller USB socket. Any ideas what I'd need for this? Seems a shame that I cannot use DTS when using digital speakers and a digital soundcard!

This is the first time I've ever used 5.1, so if anyone has any advise that'd be pretty helpful

[djjimbob]

Just get yourself to anyone of the hifi shops on tottenham court road or go here:

http://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/dynamic/home.html

[PeteBrant]

Wasn't sure if this should go in PC or DVD, but no worrys!

I took delivery of these yesterday, and however awesome they are for PC use, I'd also like to connect them to multiple systems such as DVD, Xbox etc. I understand that for xbox I need the advanced pack, which I'll pick up at some point, but for the DVD player I need a digital lead - either Optical or Coxial.

Can anyone tell me the difference between them, or prices? I've done a quick search but the Internet isn't being particularly helpful today.

Also, for the PC my sound card is a AudigyZ2 - the digital input seems to be a different shape to what I've seen before; almost like a smaller USB socket. Any ideas what I'd need for this? Seems a shame that I cannot use DTS when using digital speakers and a digital soundcard!

This is the first time I've ever used 5.1, so if anyone has any advise that'd be pretty helpful

Taking your last point first..

THe "Smaller USB" socket is in fact a firewire port, and nothing at all to do with digital sound. THe Audigy2 uses whats called a SPDIF output, which is a proprietry SOny/Philips invention.


So, what you have are in effect some powered PC speakers. You cannot just hook these stright up to the Xbox or DVD player. They hook up to your PC using the coloured leads out the back of the Soundcard on the PC, and the soundcard does the rest - you will get DTS/Dolby digital/5.1 gam surround when using the PC. This is called and analogue 5.1/7.1 connection

To get the xbox /ps2 etc to use the same speakers you need something to decode the signal from the Xbox/DVD player etc - This will do the trick http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...oundcards.html Second item from the bottom. Basically it allows you to hook your PC into it as you would the speakers, through analogue 7.1 inputs - and get DTS etc, it then has TOSlink optical inputs which you feed from the Xbox advanced SCART lead. and optical coaxial which you can feed from your DVD player. You can then use the remote to switch between inputs and have all your systems hooked up to the same speakers.

[MartyG]

The Logitech? Z-5500 Digital has a standard optical input on it so why can't it can be hooked directly from Xbox and DVD with a standard optical cable?

[PeteJ]

I thought the Xbox had built in 5.1 decoder? From what I understood you just needed the advanced or high-def pack.

I can't see why I need that creative decoder (or something similar), for DVD either. Surely the Logitech system I have has all the technical gubbins built in? From the manual I read in about three seconds yesterday, it did suggest this. Likewise, I can technically connect five devices from the control centre (which connects to the sub) using two digital (coxial, optical) and two analogue. And uh...one other way, which is possible but I cannot remember how.


Maybe

Thanks about the firewire though. Did not expect that...

[charlesr]

That should be fine because it has "Hardware decoding for Dolby? Digital, DTS?, ".

No need for anything else. Just plug them in. For you Dvd player, just use the optical output.

[PeteBrant]

Aha - I didn't see the hardware decoding - Quite a nifty set, then.

Pete - The xbox doesnt have a decoder bult in - It outputs a digital signal which must then be decoded - In this case by your snazzy speaker set.

[PeteBrant]

With regards to Optical versus digital coaxial.

Digital coaxial offers a better signal, but to be honest, theres not much in it - PS2/Xbox etc only offer TOSlink optical outputs and many DVD players offer both - I would use a digital coaxial for the DVD player, not only for the improved signal, but the fact it leaves the optical inputs on the decoder free for consoles.

Both are around ?10-?20 or much more if you want to go silly.

[MartyG]

To answer the question about cables. Some say that coxial gives a richer/warmer sound but tbh, I've been hard push to hear any difference. Longer optical leads can get interference from internal reflection, but they really are much of a muchness from my point of view.

I've read so much nonsense on the pros and cons - even someone saying that you shouldn't use optical because the higher frequencies travel faster down them, and so overtake the low frequencies

[charlesr]

It's probably only dogs that can tell the difference anyway - or if you have a ?50k home cinema setup. Doubt either of the above will cause much trouble here.

[PeteJ]

Cheers for your help, shall be watching The Shield with added boom tonight

[Psyduck]

I remember from either Physics or Computing when I was in 6th form that there can be a problem with some "bits" overtaking other in optical cables, though it's to do with the bends in them rather than frequencies. If part hits a kink and bounces along the sides while another part goes straight through, one can have to travel a lot further and so take longer, so it all needs to be time stamped...or something along those lines. Don't think it'll actually do any harm though!

[PeteJ]

Well I managed to watch the start (and end) or Saving Private Ryan in DTS - simply incredible. Can't beleive I've been missing out on such an experience for so long!

The speakers themselves are wonderful too - the bass just does not struggle even at maximum volume, and damn that is loud. The bit at the end of SPR with the tanks - it just rumbled so much I thought the house would fall down.

Yay to DTS.

[charlesr]

Brilliant!