Clarion Audio Inputs

**britown** · 10-16-2006, 03:09 PM

I just finished reading the results of a search on the Clarion DVH940/DVH920 and found this one very informative:

Clarion DVC920 and DVH940 digital processor combo

My question to you readers has to do with the options I have so far for inputing the signal from my PC (yet to be built) to my Clarion system (HX-D10, same as DXZ715 but no internal amps):

1) Connect as above using a modified digital optical cable from the soundcard to the input on the DVH920 processor. Since the DVC920 can determine the input I can go back and forth between the head unit and the PC, bypassing the headunit.
2) Connect via RCA cables from the soundcard to the RCA inputs on the headunit.

Either way I would think that the input could be processed by the DVH920 and tweaked accordingly (DSP, eq, etc.). I'm not sure if the first option provides full 5.1 bandwidth via the digital connection or if that even matters. Would option #2 provide the benefit of being able to control volume, fading, etc. without having to access the PC? In other words, which option (or ones I haven't considered) would be best from your perspective?

A secondary issue involves the soundcard output. I would like to use a Delta 410 I have but it has a digital coax output instead of optical, which would require some sort of converter. I'm sure it could be done but I would have to match voltages, as all are designed to be used in the home with AC to DC converters. If not, I will be forced to research the purchase of another soundcard with an optical output.

I'm new to the whole Car PC thing and am very excited about the possibilities available with a little expertise. I would welcome your thoughts and advice as I develop the plan for my system. Thanks for taking the time to help a newbie!

**britown** · 10-17-2006, 05:39 PM

Bump. C'mon, I'm sure there's someone out there willing to share their experience with a newbie asking legitimate questions!

**scott_fx** · 10-17-2006, 05:46 PM

as far as your coax to optical conversion, it's simple get the ebay converter and just give it 12 volts. it'll handle it fine. many of us have done it in the past w/o any problems (it's rated for 6v but it has a voltage regulator that seems to handle the 12volt w/o a problm)

as far as your first question, i'm confused

**RedGTiVR6** · 10-17-2006, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by britown

2) Connect via RCA cables from the soundcard to the RCA inputs on the headunit.

I wouldn't go this route. Many people have tried this and have found the quality to be lacking.

Either way I would think that the input could be processed by the DVH920 and tweaked accordingly (DSP, eq, etc.). I'm not sure if the first option provides full 5.1 bandwidth via the digital connection or if that even matters.

This is the same option that anyone with an Alpine PXA-H700 would use (including myself currently).

Would option #2 provide the benefit of being able to control volume, fading, etc. without having to access the PC? In other words, which option (or ones I haven't considered) would be best from your perspective?

Getting rid of the HU.

A secondary issue involves the soundcard output. I would like to use a Delta 410 I have but it has a digital coax output instead of optical, which would require some sort of converter. I'm sure it could be done but I would have to match voltages, as all are designed to be used in the home with AC to DC converters. If not, I will be forced to research the purchase of another soundcard with an optical output.

you can use a converter, many people have done it in this hobby already. Just make sure the voltage on the wall wart is either 3, 5, or 12v then wire it to your CarPC PSU.

**britown** · 10-17-2006, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

I wouldn't go this route. Many people have tried this and have found the quality to be lacking.

Any specific reason for this? If my HU has no amplification would that improve the quality?

This is the same option that anyone with an Alpine PXA-H700 would use (including myself currently).

So do you adjust volume, fading, balance via the PC touchscreen?

Getting rid of the HU.

Would the PC therefore handle FM radio duties? What front end?

you can use a converter, many people have done it in this hobby already. Just make sure the voltage on the wall wart is either 3, 5, or 12v then wire it to your CarPC PSU.

Thanks for your patience!

**RedGTiVR6** · 10-17-2006, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by britown

Any specific reason for this? If my HU has no amplification would that improve the quality?

A HU without internal amplification will be better than one with, but it's still just another piece in the line.

So do you adjust volume, fading, balance via the PC touchscreen?

nope, all via the alpine.

Would the PC therefore handle FM radio duties? What front end?

I hate FM radio, so I don't have any need for it. I also haven't found a front end that meets my needs in the least so I don't use one of those either.

**britown** · 10-17-2006, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

nope, all via the alpine.

So how do you use the Alpine if the PC is selected as the input? Wouldn't that bypass the HU?

If I connect my PC soundcard to the DVH920 (processor) directly via an optical cable I would need to use the DVC920 controller to choose the PC as the audio input, effectively bypassing the HU. So I don't see how I could still use the HU to control volume, fading, etc. Sorry to be dense but I really want to understand this. I would love to have it work as your does but I'm just not getting it. Sorry.

**RedGTiVR6** · 10-17-2006, 09:46 PM

what hu? as I stated earlier, I'm not using a HU. In your application, if you're using the HU, and you essentially block it out and have the processor process the sound from the PC and spit it out where is it going then? through the HU then out to your amps or from the processor direct to your amps? If it's the later, then I'm guessing your amps have two sets of inputs?

If you're trying to use a HU, it won't work as mine does, because I'm not using a HU.

Does the clarion require a specific HU that acts as the controller? The alpine has it's own separate controller. If the clarion has it's own separate controller, you can go without the HU all together.

**britown** · 10-18-2006, 10:16 AM

So when you say Alpine you're really talking about the processor and not the HU. That's where I went off track. So you use the Alpine's standalone controller to adjust volume, balance, etc. because you do not need the HU, correct? Sorry for the confusion!

**RedGTiVR6** · 10-18-2006, 10:21 AM

The alpine 701 series is JUST a processor, there is not head unit. the PXA-H701 is the brain of the processor and the RUX-C701 is simply just a display. it's not a head unit. It doesn't have anywhere to put a cd nor does it have radio capabilities.

That's what I use to control everything right now. Hopefully I can find an all software solution soon....