HTPC audio question

[huskernation]

Here is the deal. I want to build a htpc and have a few parts but need to decide on a video card still. I am thinking of getting a 3850 so i can hdmi out to my tv. Now the problem I have is I have a jvc all in one dvd player that is also a surround sound system. I have the dd-3 shown here
http://www.jvc.com/presentations/Sophisti/product/index.html#dd3

so what I want to do is build a blue-ray htpc and run the video to my 32" lcd but I want to audio to play through my jvc system. I need some help on how to do this.

Thanks

[huskernation]

ok after thinking about this a little it think this is my only option. The receiver part on the jvc system does have a optical in but no hdmi passthrough. I think what I may have to do is run optical from my computer to the jvc system then run the video to the tv through hdmi. So now the question is if I get a 3850 how will this work since that card will want to pass the audo and video through hdmi. Can i still send the audio from the computer via optical to the jvc unit? Second question is what is the best way to send the audio to the jvc receiver, should I get a mobo that has optical out or get a soundcard that has optical out? I will be using vista media center for the os if that matters.

Thanks

[jimmsch]

Use the 3850, it's a great card for HD playback. When installing the drivers choose the "custom install" option and then do not install the audio drivers for that card.

Most mobos these days have the optical and/or coaxial SPDIF out that you will use to send the audio to your receiver. I use an HD2600 in this manner with an Abit IP35Pro and it is really a nice experience. It is hard to find a seperate sound card with SPDIF out on it, but they do exist. Auzentech Xplosion, which I use in my HTPC is one, but I am now experimenting with the mobo sound and it seems to me that the sound card is really an unnecessary extra expense.

[jnev_89]

sorry for hijacking, but I have a question. how can the video card send audio through the hdmi if the only way to hook it up is with a dvi (which is video only) to hdmi adapter?

[huskernation]

Use the 3850, it's a great card for HD playback. When installing the drivers choose the "custom install" option and then do not install the audio drivers for that card.

Most mobos these days have the optical and/or coaxial SPDIF out that you will use to send the audio to your receiver. I use an HD2600 in this manner with an Abit IP35Pro and it is really a nice experience. It is hard to find a seperate sound card with SPDIF out on it, but they do exist. Auzentech Xplosion, which I use in my HTPC is one, but I am now experimenting with the mobo sound and it seems to me that the sound card is really an unnecessary extra expense.


thank you, thats what I needed to know.

[Jon]

sorry for hijacking, but I have a question. how can the video card send audio through the hdmi if the only way to hook it up is with a dvi (which is video only) to hdmi adapter?

The audio-enabled HDMI cards either come with, or offer a separate DVI>HDMI adapter that allows for audio.

For those that want the card for video purposes only, the DVI port is used. However, there are additional pins that are enabled and available to allow for audio that can be used with the adapter.