How to set up this Home Theatre System?

Necrosphere9 · 08-14-2008, 01:11 AM

Soon, I am going to be buying a 37" Vizio HDTV and a 5.1 surround sound system. I am also going to be buying a very well put together gaming computer (Not including specs as they are not necessary).

My idea is to connect my PC to run the video through the TV and buy a seperate 2.1 surround sound for my computer as I heard 5.1 surround is not easily done on a PC. How would I go about connecting all of these things together? What are the necessary cables?

TxTazDad · 08-14-2008, 10:38 AM

5.1 should be no problem on a PC, I've had it for years now. As far as the video, the best connection would probably be an S-Video cable, I have a Vizio as well & it also has a VGA port just for PC use.

Necrosphere9 · 08-14-2008, 04:40 PM

Really? I though I would need a special sound card or something for 5.1 surround sound. What about HDMI, wouldn't that be better than S-video?

yustr · 08-14-2008, 10:24 PM

Take care when you buy the 5.1 HT. Some of the all-in-one units do not have the capability to input a signal from an outside source. Look at the specs carefully to make sure. I would look for a system built around a traditional receiver

If you're having the PC built I would buy a sound card that has an digital output. Then its just a matter of a single cable between the PC and the receiver.

Necrosphere9 · 08-15-2008, 12:06 AM

Great, thanks!

Necrosphere9 · 08-15-2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yustr

Take care when you buy the 5.1 HT. Some of the all-in-one units do not have the capability to input a signal from an outside source. Look at the specs carefully to make sure. I would look for a system built around a traditional receiver

Now what does that mean exactly? I haven't found anything that resembles what you said. Please give me an example or send a link to a product with that please

yustr · 08-15-2008, 07:53 AM

For example THIS ONE has only one digital input (some have zero) and only HDMI output so you would not be able to connect your PC and your HD cable box to the unit and your TV has to accept HDMI. Maybe not an issue for you now but these give very limited growth/flexibility.

Where as THIS ONE has three digital inputs and multiple outputs.

These are just examples. I have not researched them.

TxTazDad · 08-15-2008, 10:13 AM

yes you would need a 5.1 sound card, HDMI is better than S-Video. My Vizio has 3 HDMIs, S-Video & VGA & a digital out

08-14-2008, 01:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Necrosphere9 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 12 OS: Windows XP SP3	How to set up this Home Theatre System? Soon, I am going to be buying a 37" Vizio HDTV and a 5.1 surround sound system. I am also going to be buying a very well put together gaming computer (Not including specs as they are not necessary). My idea is to connect my PC to run the video through the TV and buy a seperate 2.1 surround sound for my computer as I heard 5.1 surround is not easily done on a PC. How would I go about connecting all of these things together? What are the necessary cables?

08-14-2008, 10:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
TxTazDad Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 103 OS: XP Pro SP2	Re: How to set up this Home Theatre System? 5.1 should be no problem on a PC, I've had it for years now. As far as the video, the best connection would probably be an S-Video cable, I have a Vizio as well & it also has a VGA port just for PC use. __________________ It could be that the purpose of my life is only to serve as a warning to others.....

08-14-2008, 04:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Necrosphere9 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 12 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: How to set up this Home Theatre System? Really? I though I would need a special sound card or something for 5.1 surround sound. What about HDMI, wouldn't that be better than S-video?

08-14-2008, 10:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 6,064 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: How to set up this Home Theatre System? Take care when you buy the 5.1 HT. Some of the all-in-one units do not have the capability to input a signal from an outside source. Look at the specs carefully to make sure. I would look for a system built around a traditional receiver If you're having the PC built I would buy a sound card that has an digital output. Then its just a matter of a single cable between the PC and the receiver. __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

08-15-2008, 12:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
Necrosphere9 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 12 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: How to set up this Home Theatre System? Great, thanks!

08-15-2008, 07:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 6,064 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: How to set up this Home Theatre System? For example THIS ONE has only one digital input (some have zero) and only HDMI output so you would not be able to connect your PC and your HD cable box to the unit and your TV has to accept HDMI. Maybe not an issue for you now but these give very limited growth/flexibility. Where as THIS ONE has three digital inputs and multiple outputs. These are just examples. I have not researched them. __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

08-15-2008, 10:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
TxTazDad Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 103 OS: XP Pro SP2	Re: How to set up this Home Theatre System? yes you would need a 5.1 sound card, HDMI is better than S-Video. My Vizio has 3 HDMIs, S-Video & VGA & a digital out __________________ It could be that the purpose of my life is only to serve as a warning to others.....