Howdy,
I've never given a lot of attention to the audio component of my HTPC. I've just been too transient to invest the time and too cheap to invest in hardware. But I'm in the middle of an upgrade and little ideas about better sound have started flittering through my head. The problem is that I'm totally clueless about surround sound.
My basic question right now is about exactly what kind of hardware is required to achieve a basic 5.1 system. I've got a motherboard that supports up to 7.1 through all sorts of outputs including SPDIF and a bunch of 1/8" jacks (I guess that's analog?). It's an Asus P5N7A-VM (picture of i/o port here: http://images.tigerdirect.com/itemDetails/A455-2858/A455-2858-call04-maf.jpg) if you're interested.
Right now I'm running a basic 2.1 system out of the analog (?) connection into a Creative Soundworks powered 2.1 system. I'm not sure the model off hand, but if you're curious, you can see what it looks like in my ongoing project thread: https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/ongoing-htpc-projects-60/diary-htpc-dabbler-56070/
So I guess what I need to know is this: Does a surround sound system require a receiver of some sort or can my mother do all that? Or is it possible to somehow run speakers directly off of the motherboard with a connector to the 1/8" jacks or something. Honestly I'm embarrassed to ask that last question, but I really don't know.
One of the major WAF elements of the HTPC endeavor in my house is lack of clutter. Adding an extra component to my setup is not really an option. The current system works nicely because the sound is run through the subwoofer, which I assume has an internal receiver/amplifier, so there is not an 'extra' box sitting around. I know Logitech and others make 5.1 and 7.1 systems like the one I've got, but are there any that are high enough quality to be used as part of a home theater system rather than just a nice computer?
Thanks for any enlightenment!
I've never given a lot of attention to the audio component of my HTPC. I've just been too transient to invest the time and too cheap to invest in hardware. But I'm in the middle of an upgrade and little ideas about better sound have started flittering through my head. The problem is that I'm totally clueless about surround sound.
My basic question right now is about exactly what kind of hardware is required to achieve a basic 5.1 system. I've got a motherboard that supports up to 7.1 through all sorts of outputs including SPDIF and a bunch of 1/8" jacks (I guess that's analog?). It's an Asus P5N7A-VM (picture of i/o port here: http://images.tigerdirect.com/itemDetails/A455-2858/A455-2858-call04-maf.jpg) if you're interested.
Right now I'm running a basic 2.1 system out of the analog (?) connection into a Creative Soundworks powered 2.1 system. I'm not sure the model off hand, but if you're curious, you can see what it looks like in my ongoing project thread: https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/ongoing-htpc-projects-60/diary-htpc-dabbler-56070/
So I guess what I need to know is this: Does a surround sound system require a receiver of some sort or can my mother do all that? Or is it possible to somehow run speakers directly off of the motherboard with a connector to the 1/8" jacks or something. Honestly I'm embarrassed to ask that last question, but I really don't know.
One of the major WAF elements of the HTPC endeavor in my house is lack of clutter. Adding an extra component to my setup is not really an option. The current system works nicely because the sound is run through the subwoofer, which I assume has an internal receiver/amplifier, so there is not an 'extra' box sitting around. I know Logitech and others make 5.1 and 7.1 systems like the one I've got, but are there any that are high enough quality to be used as part of a home theater system rather than just a nice computer?
Thanks for any enlightenment!