An alternative audio setup...

[TomWilko]

Hi all

You might remember my thread a couple of weeks ago looking for a new Audio solution in my room for when i move. I have been thinking about exactly what i want more and more and have decided i want to incorporate my laptop into the whole setup a bit more.

The laptop has DVD write/read on the drive and is pretty kick-ass as laptops go (3GhZ P4, 1024MB RAM, 75GB HD, ATI Radeon 9600 dedicated graphics) I am thinking maybe i could use this as the port from which i could play all my Music and DVD's from.

Now then, the question is, what do i connect the laptop to that would allow it to interact with 'seperates' i.e and AMP...from which of course this would go straight to speakers. Would i even need the AMP if i got this:

http://uk.europe.creative.com/produc...t.asp?prod=517

I would still need the T.V to view the DVD's so is they a cable i could run from my laptop to a T.V that allows whats on the PC to be shown on a T.V? Maybe a T.V card is necessary here??

What i am after is more ideas/solutions based around my laptop more, seeing as i will have it for the next 4 years at least i don't see why i shouldn't utilise it as much as possible. It needs to allow DVD's to be played on a T.V as well as pump out some music [PS2 connectivity is needed somewhere along the lines to, but i presume this will go into the T.V]

Also prices are pretty important here so will need an idea on them to, let me know if what i want is feasible and a good way to go about doing things. Budget is in the region of £300 - £350 if poss.

Cheers

Tom

[Howard]

The laptop will have a headphone output that you can just connect to one of the amp's inputs. If you want higher quality you could get an Extigy and connect that

[TomWilko]

The laptop will have a headphone output that you can just connect to one of the amp's inputs. If you want higher quality you could get an Extigy and connect that

Whats an Extigy? The link i posted??

[Howard]

Yes

[TomWilko]

Yes

What other benefits does the Extigy have that warrants such a high price tag? rather than just bunging a phono cable into the headphone socket??

[Howard]

Higher quality audio. And digital outputs.

[TomWilko]

Hmmm i have been thinking about this a bit more:

• Maybe i could use the PS2 to play the DVD's and have that go directly into the T.V and AMP
• Connect the Laptop to the AMP whichever way i see fit, whether this be by Phono or through an external sound card

This would solve all my needs, and i would only have to purchase a few bits of equipment, the AMP itself, some decent speakers and possibly an External Soundcard. The Laptop could act as my music 'hub' and the only other thing needed to be bought would be a Receiver if i was unable to get the Internet connected to the room (I am hoping a Wirless Network is going to save my bacon!) because the Laptop could stream whatever radio station i wished to listen to.

[TomWilko]

digital outputs.

Sorry for the 100 questions, cos i am clueless with this sort of thing, but whats one of these?

[Lead_Head]

Digital inputs and outputs are whats on my minidisc and my PC... they are square holes (ring any bells yet).

They basically (I think) use light to transfer data (your audio) too and from the required location. Instead of copper wire.

Obviously this is a lot better quality than good old Copper wire BUT... you'd have to have your WHOLE system with this cable to see /hear real benefits and it's not cheap...

[Howard]

Lead Head, digital audio outputs aren't just optical (TOSLINK), they're commonly coaxial electrical signals as well.

So Tom, that's basically what digital is. Transferring the audio in digital format as opposed to Analog. Depending on the digital encoder (Extigy) and decoder (Amp) it will be better quality. PCM is the digital signal for stereo data and AC3 is the signal for 5.1 audio (Surround sound). This is the most common case anyway.

You can also hook up your laptop to your TV via it's TV output if your TV has enough inputs

[TomWilko]

Lead Head, digital audio outputs aren't just optical (TOSLINK), they're commonly coaxial electrical signals as well.

So Tom, that's basically what digital is. Transferring the audio in digital format as opposed to Analog. Depending on the digital encoder (Extigy) and decoder (Amp) it will be better quality. PCM is the digital signal for stereo data and AC3 is the signal for 5.1 audio (Surround sound). This is the most common case anyway.

You can also hook up your laptop to your TV via it's TV output if your TV has enough inputs

Ahhh, now that would be a bit of solution Howard, thx Would you/people recommend i get the Extigy??

[Howard]

Yeh for a laptop it's excellent

[TomWilko]

Thumbs up here...i will consider it.