Help with getting sound from PC to Audio Receiver

[dross333]

HI, I have a Windows Media Player PC. I also have my home theatre sytem. I want to be able to play my audio (WMA) on my surround sound system. I called Dell and they said, that it can not. The card which is a ATI AIW 9000 comes with a break out box that takes composite audio, but Dell says that is only for incoming sound, not outgoing. They are saying that I need to get regualr computer speakers and play it from there on the regualr built in sound card. This seems ridiculous and there has to be a better way. I need to find a way to do this. Not sure what my options are? Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks
David

[B2D327]

An 1/8 inch stereo to RCA Y-cable will do the trick. Run your pc's sound card directly into your reciever.

[dun4cheap]

Well DELL is for the most part correct. Myself I have put an Audigy2 card in mine which allows digital and analog out simultaneously. I have the digital out connected to my amp. The ATI AIW card only has audio in. Hope that helps you.

[junkmalle]

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=42-2551

I will only be stereo of course.

[dun4cheap]

The only problem with getting audio out like that from the sound card is a lot of the times you get a hum, this is why I have gone the digital route.

[dross333]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try the cable from Radio Shack tomorrow. The Audigy 2 card seems like a good solution, but I have the 4600c Small form Factor desktop. I can't find the small card for this model.


Thanks Again
David

[junkmalle]

Dross, I took a quick look a your model at Dell's web site and it lists "integrated 5.1 channel audio" as standard equipment. You may have a digital ouput labeled S/PDIF on the back of your computer. This usually looks like a regular RCA connector (like you normally use for A/V components) but is for digital audio. You're receiver probably has a similar connector (although some only have optical inputs). For a short (3 foot?) run you can use regular audio cable (worth a try since you probably have one of these cables already). Longer runs may need an 75 Ohm digital audio cable like this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=15-2434

Using S/PDIF rather than the analog audio cable should give you better sound. It will also give you digital 5.1 audio for software that supports it (some games, DVD player, etc).

Dell was probably trying to sell you an expensive 5.1 speaker system rather than just a cheap cable.

[junkmalle]

One other thing -- didn't your computer come with a pair of cheap speakers? They may have used exactly the same analog cable -- stereo pin plug at the computer, L/R RCA at the speakers. You could use that cable.

[dross333]

junkmalle. Thank you very much. I had a Fiber cable laying around, plugged it in and BINGO. Sound is perfect. Wonder why Dell couldn't figure this out. Oh Well. I really appreciate the time you took to get me the information.

Thanks Again
David

[junkmalle]

Glad to hear you found a solution!

[bdf24]

I've had mine plugged into my stereo for years now with analog cables. All I need is stereo so I can listen to MP3's on my home stereo system. I get the hum noise. I went to radio shack and bought a "Ground Loop Isolater". Hooked it up between the PC and home stereo and it totaly illiminated the hum. Sound is perfectly clean.

[junkmalle]

Ground Loop Isolater

I use one for the MP3 player in my car. Works great there too!