AVR 142 - trying to get 5.1 sound without coaxial or optical cables

[RussM]

Hi there,

For those that are familiar with the AVR 142, there is no sound input via HDMI cables but only through coaxial or optical....

So was wondering if anyone has a solution to my dilemma:
My HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook has no coaxial or optical output points but has an HDMI port that puts out sound/video;

And AVR142 cannot play sound over HDMI ------

Been stuck on this for a while now so if someone has a solution then that would be cool. Currently using the 3.5mm jack from laptop to the receiver to play stereo but that sucks considering the AVR 142 is not a bad receiver at all....

cheers, Russ

 

[baijuxavior]

You can look for a usb based sound card with optical out like this one:

Amazon.com: Zalman ZM-RSSC External USB 5.1 Sound Card: Electronics

I am using http://us.store.creative.com/Sound-Blaster-XFi-Surround-5.1/M/B0017QQQAE.htm

It has 5.1 analog output and optical output. But don't know whether it can pass through 5.1 audio. I am using only the analog output for 5.1

 

[spirovious]

Try usb soundcards with spdf out-
ASUS Xonar U1 Dolby USB Sound Card Review - Everything USB

 

[RussM]

Thanks guys you getting me on the right track;

I will be looking for a USB-soundcard with a coaxial or fibre-optic output as it best fits the AVR142 ...

cheers!

 

[Deleted member 17547]

You can look for a usb based sound card with optical out like this one:

Amazon.com: Zalman ZM-RSSC External USB 5.1 Sound Card: Electronics

I am using Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 | Creative Labs Online Store

It has 5.1 analog output and optical output. But don't know whether it can pass through 5.1 audio. I am using only the analog output for 5.1

Hey howz this Creative sound card in terms of SQ..??

Thanks..

 

[baijuxavior]

Hey howz this Creative sound card in terms of SQ..??

Thanks..

The sound quality is far better than the onboard sound on my laptop. compressed music files such as mp3s sound much better.

 

[Deleted member 17547]

The sound quality is far better than the onboard sound on my laptop. compressed music files such as mp3s sound much better.

What's your connection to AVR.. I mean thru RCA cables or thru Optical cable. ?

 

[baijuxavior]

What's your connection to AVR.. I mean thru RCA cables or thru Optical cable. ?

I don't have an avr. I use a creative 2.1 speaker system and it sounds much better than the on-board sound.

 

[Deleted member 17547]

I don't have an avr. I use a creative 2.1 speaker system and it sounds much better than the on-board sound.

I have just bought Creative X-Fi 5.1 Surround Sound Pro... M not experiencing much diff between on-board sound card and this one.. may be i've to play a bit with Creative for a while to get the best out of it..

 

[baijuxavior]

I have just bought Creative X-Fi 5.1 Surround Sound Pro... M not experiencing much diff between on-board sound card and this one.. may be i've to play a bit with Creative for a while to get the best out of it..

You will need to install all the software in the driver cd to get it working correctly.

 

[Deleted member 17547]

You will need to install all the software in the driver cd to get it working correctly.

Already did that.. also tried to find the updated drivers but don't have any updates.. As of now enjoying music.. later i'll try to get the better sound with diff settings.. right now default settings are there..

One question.. should i connect it with Optical cable (using it right now) or RCA cables are gud enuf for stereo listening ?

 

[RussM]

Already did that.. also tried to find the updated drivers but don't have any updates.. As of now enjoying music.. later i'll try to get the better sound with diff settings.. right now default settings are there..

One question.. should i connect it with Optical cable (using it right now) or RCA cables are gud enuf for stereo listening ?

I reckon RCA is good enough for stereo mate. But I find that Opticals are better...

 

[prankey]

Already did that.. also tried to find the updated drivers but don't have any updates.. As of now enjoying music.. later i'll try to get the better sound with diff settings.. right now default settings are there..

One question.. should i connect it with Optical cable (using it right now) or RCA cables are gud enuf for stereo listening ?

You should always use Coaxial (can use the same RCA cables or stereo pin to RCA cable as typical with Creative) or Optical when possible. I get far superior quality through coaxial SPDIF as compared to analog RCA using the SAME RCA/Stereo pin cable.