surround sound from acer revo?

[alec868]

I have an acer revo r3610. I am looking into setting up surround sound, the video card on the computer supports 7.1 dolby digital surround sound and has HDMI and SPDIF optical outputs. basically, im just wondering how i can pull of getting surround sound without spending very much. I have a, probably quite lowsy, set of surround sound speakers and sub, so i am planning on using those at least for the time being. I am mostly wondering if buying an AV receiver is the best/quickest solution to amplifying and distributing the audio. however it seems like i m getting alot more tha i need (sattelite radio, video processing etc.) all i really need is something that processes the audio signal and powers the speakers. ive been looking at the creative labs sound-blaster stuff (http://us.store.creative.com/Sound-Blaster-XFi-Surround-5.1/M/B0017QQQAE.htm) , but it seems that all they are is external soundcards, and the ones that are independently powered are about the same price as a lowend 7.1 surround sound reciever. any advice that anyone can give me would be great. also if anyone has any knowledge about setting up a system like this using media player classic home cinema, please tell me anything you know about making it send the audio correctly etc. thank you.

Alec

[Spdngblt56]

In answer to your question, I think just biting the bullet and getting yourself an AV receiver is going to be your best bet. I've not heard of many sound cards which have the ability to power an entire surround sound system. I think even if you just go out and get your hands on a cheaper 7.1 channel receiver, you'll be in much better shape. This ensures you'll have ample power being sent to all of your speakers, and the audio from your video card will sound incredibly better. Not to mention, some sound cards have all sorts of settings that may require "tweaking" until you get the audio going to the correct speakers (ex. voices to your center speaker; music to left/right speakers; and bass to the subwoofer; etc...). While on the other hand, an AV receiver is going to automatically filter the incoming audio and send it out the correct speakers, resulting in a true surround sound experience.

And as far as setting everything up, I would recommend connecting an optical cable to the SPDIF optical out on your video card -->and then hooking the other end of the cable (of course) to the SPDIF optical input on the back of the AV receiver.

** Therefore, I would do some research and see what some the of low-end receivers with SPDIF optical inputs on them cost, and decide on the one you like the most! **

Hopefully this helps a little, and Good Luck

[alec868]

Thanks for the detailed response. As it turns out, thats exactly what i did. Bought A sony std-dh710. Cheap end, 7.1 channel. Optical input. It was definately The way to go. Setup was minimal, not tweaking really on the computer end. Thanks for the help.

Alec

[yoda313]

Fyi you have to use hdmi for hd audio. You can only get max 6.1 out of fiber optic (and not the hd audio version of 6.1, just dts 6.1 like you have on certain sd dvds). So for true 7.1 hd audio you must be connected via hdmi.

[Spdngblt56]

Thanks Yoda! I did not know that... I've never actually owned a 7.1 channel receiver, I've only had a 5.1 channel surround sound system so I just figured fiber obtic would do the trick on its own.

I didn't know that you cant get 7.1 channel sound from it, and only through HDMI... this is definitely something to keep in mind for the future if I ever want to upgrade!

[Spdngblt56]

Alec! That looks like a wonderful receiver... I just had a look at it online.

I guess our definitions of "low-end" are completely different lol --> cause the one you bought seems like a pretty nice one to me !