Please help with 4-channel home theater

Posted by: jpk73 on 05 December 2004

Hi! I just moved to my new appartement. Existing gear:

a) setup1: 52/135s/active NBLs
b) setup2: 72/140/Kans
c) Computer with two stereo USB -> analog/digital-audio interfaces (= external USB soundcard).

I want to use my existing computer to play DVDs and I would like to use the Kans for the rear channels. My questions:

1.) I can connect both USB-boxes to my computer. Is it possible to setup the computer so that one USB-box gives the main signal to the 52/NBLs and the other USB-box the rear signal to the 72/Kans?

2.) I need a DVD-software that can assign each channel to any sound-out device. But I only can select one soundcard in my Windows 98! How can I use 2 soundcards at the same time?

Jun

Posted on: 05 December 2004 by Jay

Hi Jun

I think you're going to need a 5.1 soundcard. Route the main channels to the 52/135 and the rear channels to the 72/140. You need to do all the levels, etc, with separate front and rear volumes....

It's doable, but it's going to be a pain. AV2 is much easier

Jay

Posted on: 05 December 2004 by Geoff P

Jun
I wonder if this might help.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/

Basically it's a two way device which can input or OUTPUT an analog stereo signal via it's connection to a USB port. Myaybe two of these could be used with your two USB boxes to give two stereo pairs for connection the way you want.
You are going have fun adjusting the volume controls but it might work.

regards
GEOFF

"Just trying to make a NAIM for myself"

Posted on: 05 December 2004 by jpk73

Geoff: this is very similar to my 2 USB-soundcards. But I don't know how to route the front channels through one USB-soundcard and the rear channles through the other USB-soundcard.

You are going have fun adjusting the volume controls but it might work: I wanted to adjust the 52 and the 72 to 12 o'clock position and manage volume through the computer - is this a good idea?

- Jun

Posted on: 06 December 2004 by Jay

quote:
Originally posted by Jun Keller:
Geoff: this is very similar to my 2 USB-soundcards. But I don't know how to route the front channels through one USB-soundcard and the rear channles through the other USB-soundcard.

That's why I recommended you buy a 5.1 card.

I don't think what you're proposing will work. I've never seen anyone run two sound devices under windows.

Jay

Posted on: 06 December 2004 by Martin Payne

Cool Edit allows you to choose which sound device to use to capture audio from.

Implies more than one is possible.

However, 24 bit, 96KHz, 5.1 channel cards are available for about £50, and I believe USB versions are not a lot more.

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne (at) Dial.Pipex.com. Put "Naim" in the title.

Posted on: 06 December 2004 by Former member

I don't think your goals can be achieve without some kind of additional hardware. Your computer can only select one output device. And I personally do not know of a DVDplayer software that allows you to only play the rears and leave out the center and fronts.
I think you will need either a soundcard or USB external soundcard of some kind. Easiest would probably be to buy one of the 30quid DVDPs with internal decoder, as it will probably not be inferior to a PC based system. And it would be cheaper. Over here they just sold DVDPs, with internal decoder, capable of playing DVD-As (!) for just 79 Euros (approx 55GBP). Can't beat that IMO. I would have bought one if I had no DVDP.

Sounds like the easiest way for me.

Posted on: 16 December 2004 by jpk73

I found the solution!

- Jun

P.S.: Alex, I don't have a TV...