Comp to Home Theater

[Kudos]

ello again,

I recently picked up a 5.1 surround sound system
http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027256&pathId=30
(DS-TP6000) with a different DVD player, but anyway...

I want to hook my computer up to the system so I can play mp3's, movies and games through it.

I have a dell 8400 with a 5.1 setup.

What do I need to set this up?

I have seen cables that run from a single output to duel inputs. Would that be all I need? Is there a better way?

[SmokeyDP]

What kind of outputs does the dell 8400 have? Usually a soundcard will have 3 stereo connectors for the outputs. One for the front 2, one for the back 2 and one for the sub. Those connectors will not work for your task. You need your soundcard to have an optical or digital output. This is usually a yellow RCA connector or a square optical connector in the case of a fiber optic cable. Most receivers will have the yellow RCA digital input connector.

If yours looks like this then it 'looks' like it has both. In that case try hooking up which ever one will match the back of your receiver.

http://www.niniland.com/8400_back.bmp

Then go into the audio settings in the computer in the control panel and there should be an option for digital output.

[bachviet]

The 8400 doesn't have optical or digital output so you need a PCI 5.1 digital sound card.

[SmokeyDP]

The 8400 doesn't have optical or digital output so you need a PCI 5.1 digital sound card.
The picture above is from an 8400 from ebay. Maybe the buisness and home ones are different?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51147&item=5150559196&rd=1

[bachviet]

The picture above is from an 8400 from ebay. Maybe the buisness and home ones are different?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51147&item=5150559196&rd=1
My bad...

I was thinking of the 8300 that I have. :smash:

[Kudos]

if it has that digital output (and it should judging from that picture), that'd be perfect. I'd just have to find my cable in the mess that is my room

[AlpineJay]

Actually, if it does have three outputs for the 5.1 setup, the connectors WILL work.

You need the following:
3 pairs of male to male RCA cables
3 stereo miniplug to RCA female adaptors

Connect one end of the RCA cables to the female end of the adaptors and repeat three times. Then connect the miniplugs to the appropriate terminals and the receiver should get the RCA ends. It will be an analog connection, but will work just fine.