Audio from both SPDIF and analog

[xcor635]

I am building a HTPC for my livingroom. I want the ability to hookup both my L/R analog to my TV and the SPDIF to my receiver. There are a lot of times that I want to watch DVD's late at night without my receiver, but also have the ability to watch a DVD thru my receiver. Is there a soundcard that will output sound thru both devices concurrently? This way, when I only want sound thru my TV, my receiver is off. If I want sound from my stereo, I only have to turn it on and mute my TV.

HELP. This is necessary for my WF (Wife Factor).

[ben_95sl1]

both my sounds cards do this by default, so I'm betting most do it, so you should be just fine...I have a chaintech av-710 (via envy24 chip, optical out), and an older av-510 (also chaintech I believe, CMI8738 chip with RCA spdif out). If using multichannel analog outs, the spdif needs to be disabled on both my cards I believe.

EDIT:
I forgot that you're still going to have to switch from ac3 5.1 passthru to the stereo track probably in the DVD menu, or something like that. I actualy only use it with pcm, so both at same time works, but when you passthru ac3/dts, I don't think it will work directly...but it should, somehow???

[pawn]

My sound card will not do what you say. I use the built in SoundMaxx device on my motherboard (same on two machines).

So...what I use for DVD audio decoding is AC3Filter, which will decode AC3 to a number of different formats (you use it just like any other audio decoder). Now all AC3 audio out of the normal speaker port is decoded to stereo and directed to the TV inputs, whereas AC3 from the S/PDIF port remains AC3 and directed to the A/V receiver.

Works pretty good, although I had to play with the audio levels in AC3Filter before I could even hear anything, and once in a while, I hear a little clipping. Probably I just don't knwo how to use it right.

AC3Filter is freeware BTW, and easily found on the 'Net.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by ben_95sl1

both my sounds cards do this by default, so I'm betting most do it,

Not necessarilly, it probably depends on what you're playing. For normal PCM audio, it's probably relatively common, but for Dolby Digital, it's much less so. The problem is that, AFIAK, most decoders will only output passthrough, or decoded audio, but not both. I know that answer doesn't help much...

[ben_95sl1]

yeah, I forgot he said dvd.....doh....but it should be easily possible.

[broderp]

depending on how much you wish to spend, ASUS MB with 7.1 channel out can and do both simultanuously and very well.

My MB has both Coax an SPDIF out as well as RCA out for anolog.

My tv gets the anolog and the SPDIF goes to my reciever for DD6.1

People can say what they will about on board sound, It was cheaper, freed up a slot, produced less heat than a card does and sounds great. DIGITAL is digital, I can't hear the difference of STAR WARS on my SAGE BOX or out of my SONY ES CHANGER.

[Archerkit]

I use the Xitel Pro Hi-Fi. That outputs to coax, optical, and RCA all at once. I do exactly as you want - optical to the receiver and RCA to the TV.
http://www.xitel.com/product_phfl.htm

[broderp]

Originally Posted by Archerkit

I use the Xitel Pro Hi-Fi. That outputs to coax, optical, and RCA all at once. I do exactly as you want - optical to the receiver and RCA to the TV.
http://www.xitel.com/product_phfl.htm

I suppose thats an option if your already invested in hardware, but at $99 it seem a bit steep, considering my MB cost only $130 and can do it right from the back panel, requires no external power or extra space to mount yet another "black box" in my HT.

I think the smartest and cheapest is integrated sound. This also frees up a PCI slot for an extra TUNER CARD!

[dkardatzke]

Does anyone know how to enable SPDIF Out on an ECS KT600-A motherboard? I've connected a third party bracket to the SPDIF Out header on the motherboard but I'm not getting any sound. What's the best way to troubleshoot this connection?

Thanks, Dan

[insomniac]

have you cheked your windows volume control/advanced/playback section to see if your spdif is enabled? It usually isnt by default.

I.

Originally Posted by dkardatzke

Does anyone know how to enable SPDIF Out on an ECS KT600-A motherboard? I've connected a third party bracket to the SPDIF Out header on the motherboard but I'm not getting any sound. What's the best way to troubleshoot this connection?

Thanks, Dan