Gunslash

My HTPC is as follows:

XFX 9300 Motherboard
E8600 CPU
4GB Ram
running vista32
LG HDDVD/BLURAY drive

I've had this setup up and running for a couple of weeks. I'm currently using the onboard audio/video going through HDMI to my TV( bravia 52'' 1080p), and from the TV I run an Optical Cable to the receiver for 5.1 Audio, it's an older Onkyo model with no HDMI ports.

Now with this Xonar HDAV1.3 Slim card (still in the mail)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-012-_-Product
how would I set up the system? I intend to get a newer receiver eventually, but the Onkyo is what I have for the time being....

I'm not a audiophile so I'm not sure the best way to set it up...

A. Run HDMI from PC to TV for video, but disable the HDMI audio. Run coax straight from the card to the receiver.

or
B. Disregard my motherboard's HDMI port altogether and run from a DVI port to the TV via DVI to HDMI cable. Then Run coax from the card to the receiver.

or
C. This one might sound stupid but ughhh... Run a really short HDMI cable from video to the sound card's HDMI IN port, then run a HDMI Cable from the sound card's HDMI OUT port to the TV, and run the Optical cable from TV to the receiver....

Which would work best, or how should I do it? Help me Overclock.net, you're my only hope!

Manyak

I'd run a short cable from the boards' HDMI to the sound card, then from the sound card to the TV. Then also run an S/PDIF cable from the sound card to the stereo. This way you get audio on both, and the TV doesn't introduce it's own crappy "effects" to the sound.

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Gunslash

cool thanks, the card is on its way I'll report how it works out

Gunslash

Got it setup and it's great! I paid $100 for an Open Box @ NewEgg VS $150 for new. Didn't really need any software that a new version comes with.

I just ran the coax direct from the card to the receiver and that's it! And I chose my method of input as Coax on the receiver so I don't have to worry about the audio signal via HDMI that goes along with the video.
Driver install was so easy and the software suite is so light, it's not like trying to install a Creative card followed by 2 terrabytes of bloatware that takes an hour to install...

I definitely notice a difference, few extra little sounds...car parts clanking off the road on a crash, leaves making noise, water splashes...more clarity too. At this point I am limited by my speakers (HIITB Onkyo speakers - not bad, but all my other components are outgrowing them).

PeaceMaker

Just curious, what is the difference between the Asus Xonar over other sound cards (for instance my xtrememusic)? if you say bitstreaming, what is that??

Glad everything worked out for you.

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Manyak

Yup, the quality on the Xonars is great . The best part is with explosions and stuff. Even the explosions sound flat with onboard audio, but with a Xonar it makes you jump in your seat just like in a movie theater (of course, depending on your setup ).


Bitstreaming refers to the audio from BluRays (in this specific case). Either the stream is sent directly over HDMI to the receiver to do the decoding (this is bitstreaming), or the sound card decodes it into LPCM and sends that data instead (just as good in most cases, but not true bitstreaming), or the sound card converts it to analog and you connect it to the receiver using 8 RCA cables.

And with the cards with analog outputs (any Xonar but the HDAV), the quality is much, much, much better than Creative's stuff.

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For Sale: [Conus] CM Storm Scout, TEC, WC, Laptop, A900, Model M, GPU, Audio, and a ton more!!

PeaceMaker

Ah okay, I got ya. So how do you connect the RCA's to your stereo? What kind of inputs do you need? These aren't just straight RCA to RCA right?

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Manyak

It could be straight RCA to RCA (example), or through the usual 3.5mm->RCA adapters.

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For Sale: [Conus] CM Storm Scout, TEC, WC, Laptop, A900, Model M, GPU, Audio, and a ton more!!

PeaceMaker

Wowie that 5h!t is expensive!

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Manyak

Yup. But if you've got a high quality audio system its worth every penny - especially if you listen to music through your HTPC.

__________________
For Sale: [Conus] CM Storm Scout, TEC, WC, Laptop, A900, Model M, GPU, Audio, and a ton more!!