Help with speaker system.

Carmen Queasy · 08-04-2007, 17:38

I want to connect my PC and TV to the same set of speakers so I can get good sound from both.

The TV is alright, but its inbuilt speakers are not the best.

I don't want 5.1 surround, just simple stereo.

Can anyone recommend speakers which allow me to connect more than 1 stereo device? Or even just guide me to what I'm looking for, then I'll shop around myself. I'll more than likely be using 3.5mm stereo jacks.

son_t · 08-04-2007, 19:04

A simple amp and a set of speakers will do.

Get adaptors to change from 3.5mm jacks to RCA left/right and plug it into your PC. Get the same for the TV. And use the amp to change inputs when you want the sound to come out of the TV or PC...

Carmen Queasy · 08-04-2007, 20:02

Well, that makes perfect sense

Thanks

Actually, my V+ box can work with 5.1, and so can my laptop, I think. It has a SPDIF connection on it, which is 3.5mm jack - A quick check up says this supports 5.1?

son_t · 08-04-2007, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmen Queasy

Well, that makes perfect sense

Thanks

Actually, my V+ box can work with 5.1, and so can my laptop, I think. It has a SPDIF connection on it, which is 3.5mm jack - A quick check up says this supports 5.1?

SPDIF connection isn't a 3.5mm jack. Should look like these images...

In fact what you are looking for is a 5.1 AV receiver... you just need one with serveral optical inputs to be able to get 5.1 sound from your various sources... I have a Yamaha reciever that hast 2 optical inputs and one digital co-axial input (for CD player, etc)... something like this...

So you do want 5.1 sound then?

Last edited by son_t : 08-04-2007 at 20:39.

ntlhellworld · 08-04-2007, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by son_t

SPDIF connection isn't a 3.5mm jack.

SPDIF isnt a connection, Its a digital audio specification. Many laptops (and even some PC sound cards) use a single channel 3.5mm adapter to coaxial adapter to output SPDIF. Which at a guess is what he/she has got.

Infact, I have a old dell laptop lying around (really old) that uses an adapter that connects to two extra pins within the S-Video TV out port !

-Chris

Last edited by ntlhellworld : 08-04-2007 at 20:46.

Carmen Queasy · 08-04-2007, 20:47

It's odd. The connection is definitely 3.5mm jack, but it has SPDIF written just above it

I might buy 5.1, actually. I don't want to spend masses of money, though. Its only really a replacement from a standard hi-fi system.

Would something like this do? I know it's not going to be true 5.1, and not going to superb quality, but it'll give me better sound than I currently have - not that exact set, just something like that in general. That's a PC system, but if it uses 3.5mm jack, I doubt it matters what is connected.

My cable box and laptop both connect to my TV using 3.5mm jack, and I'm fine with that.

ntlhellworld · 08-04-2007, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmen Queasy

It's odd. The connection is definitely 3.5mm jack, but it has SPDIF written just above it

Yep. Just use a 3.5mm to RCA (red and white cable) adapter, then connect one of the RCA leads (only one of them will work) to the coaxial input on the system you buy. Simple.

Your V+ box can connect to the optical input on the system.

-Chris

Carmen Queasy · 08-04-2007, 21:14

Any recommendations on a cheap, but good, system then?

I've been browsing around, but I'm a bit dubious to what to buy, since I've only ever had stereo speaker systems in the past.

ntlhellworld · 08-04-2007, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmen Queasy

Any recommendations on a cheap, but good, system then?

I've been browsing around, but I'm a bit dubious to what to buy, since I've only ever had stereo speaker systems in the past.

How much are you looking to spend ?

-Chris

Carmen Queasy · 08-04-2007, 21:27

This is going to sound really cheap, but around £50... no more than £70

These speaker systems designed for PCs are probably all I need.

I know, I know... I would spend more, but I need to save for a holiday, pay my student overdraft and also live a little

(I have a shit job!

)

08-04-2007, 17:38	#1
Carmen Queasy Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Middesbrough (via Manchester) Posts: 37,343	Help with speaker system. I want to connect my PC and TV to the same set of speakers so I can get good sound from both. The TV is alright, but its inbuilt speakers are not the best. I don't want 5.1 surround, just simple stereo. Can anyone recommend speakers which allow me to connect more than 1 stereo device? Or even just guide me to what I'm looking for, then I'll shop around myself. I'll more than likely be using 3.5mm stereo jacks.

08-04-2007, 20:02	#3
Carmen Queasy Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Middesbrough (via Manchester) Posts: 37,343	Well, that makes perfect sense Thanks Actually, my V+ box can work with 5.1, and so can my laptop, I think. It has a SPDIF connection on it, which is 3.5mm jack - A quick check up says this supports 5.1? Last edited by Carmen Queasy : 08-04-2007 at 20:05.

08-04-2007, 19:04	#2
son_t Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fife Posts: 4,038	A simple amp and a set of speakers will do. Get adaptors to change from 3.5mm jacks to RCA left/right and plug it into your PC. Get the same for the TV. And use the amp to change inputs when you want the sound to come out of the TV or PC...

08-04-2007, 20:31	#4
son_t Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fife Posts: 4,038	Quote: Originally Posted by Carmen Queasy Well, that makes perfect sense Thanks Actually, my V+ box can work with 5.1, and so can my laptop, I think. It has a SPDIF connection on it, which is 3.5mm jack - A quick check up says this supports 5.1? SPDIF connection isn't a 3.5mm jack. Should look like these images... In fact what you are looking for is a 5.1 AV receiver... you just need one with serveral optical inputs to be able to get 5.1 sound from your various sources... I have a Yamaha reciever that hast 2 optical inputs and one digital co-axial input (for CD player, etc)... something like this... So you do want 5.1 sound then? Last edited by son_t : 08-04-2007 at 20:39.

08-04-2007, 20:45	#5
ntlhellworld Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,649	Quote: Originally Posted by son_t SPDIF connection isn't a 3.5mm jack. SPDIF isnt a connection, Its a digital audio specification. Many laptops (and even some PC sound cards) use a single channel 3.5mm adapter to coaxial adapter to output SPDIF. Which at a guess is what he/she has got. Infact, I have a old dell laptop lying around (really old) that uses an adapter that connects to two extra pins within the S-Video TV out port ! -Chris Last edited by ntlhellworld : 08-04-2007 at 20:46.

08-04-2007, 20:47	#6
Carmen Queasy Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Middesbrough (via Manchester) Posts: 37,343	It's odd. The connection is definitely 3.5mm jack, but it has SPDIF written just above it I might buy 5.1, actually. I don't want to spend masses of money, though. Its only really a replacement from a standard hi-fi system. Would something like this do? I know it's not going to be true 5.1, and not going to superb quality, but it'll give me better sound than I currently have - not that exact set, just something like that in general. That's a PC system, but if it uses 3.5mm jack, I doubt it matters what is connected. My cable box and laptop both connect to my TV using 3.5mm jack, and I'm fine with that.

08-04-2007, 21:03	#7
ntlhellworld Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,649	Quote: Originally Posted by Carmen Queasy It's odd. The connection is definitely 3.5mm jack, but it has SPDIF written just above it Yep. Just use a 3.5mm to RCA (red and white cable) adapter, then connect one of the RCA leads (only one of them will work) to the coaxial input on the system you buy. Simple. Your V+ box can connect to the optical input on the system. -Chris

08-04-2007, 21:14	#8
Carmen Queasy Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Middesbrough (via Manchester) Posts: 37,343	Any recommendations on a cheap, but good, system then? I've been browsing around, but I'm a bit dubious to what to buy, since I've only ever had stereo speaker systems in the past.

08-04-2007, 21:25	#9
ntlhellworld Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,649	Quote: Originally Posted by Carmen Queasy Any recommendations on a cheap, but good, system then? I've been browsing around, but I'm a bit dubious to what to buy, since I've only ever had stereo speaker systems in the past. How much are you looking to spend ? -Chris

08-04-2007, 21:27	#10
Carmen Queasy Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Middesbrough (via Manchester) Posts: 37,343	This is going to sound really cheap, but around £50... no more than £70 These speaker systems designed for PCs are probably all I need. I know, I know... I would spend more, but I need to save for a holiday, pay my student overdraft and also live a little (I have a shit job! )

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Help with speaker system.