HOW TO: Get sound from PC to Car Stereo / Amp - Page 9

LESLIEx317537 · 04-18-2005, 12:06 PM

Yes.

To make things simple, if you have the computer in the trunk...

Run a USB extension cable to behind the headunit area.
Put a USB 2.0 Hub on the end powered by 5 volts if you have USB devices up front, like a Keyboard/Mouse reciever.
Then buy a cheap USB soundcard, SB MP3+ is ok. Plug it into the hub. Get a 1 foot RCA cable and hook the USB Soundcard up to the Headunit. The MP3+ has standard size RCA outputs.

That way you don't have to run a 1/8th extension headphone cable up front or a long RCA cable up front and you can use the USB cable for 1 million more things.

Also it won't pick up any line noise if you have any.

ChilliPepper · 04-20-2005, 06:47 PM

Ok I need some help guys. I think I've misunderstand how digital audio signals work. I see the great diagrams offered in this thread which indicate several 3.5" outputs can be split from a 5.1 surround card to make 5.1 sound.

I originally didn't think of it this way. Please let me know if this won't work or doesn't make sense, because I'm trying it now and it doesn't seem to work.

I am running the Digital Out from an Audigy card to the Digitial In of a Sherwood X-DTS80 Circle Sound processor. I was doing this thinking the discrete channels would be transmitted to the DTS processor and then it (the Sherwood via its independent outputs for 5.1 channels) would separate the sound properly. Then each of these outputs would go into a 6-channel amp, then to the speakers. I get NO sound at all. FYI I have the Digital Out settings in Windows set. The DTS is also seeing some form of digital signal because as soon as the Audigy card initializes the blinking "Digital 1" on the face of the DTS goes solid. I also tried this with "Digital 2" and same results.

I've tried setting the Windows to analog, then running a signal to one of the Analog In inputs on the DTS. Then to the amp and to the speakers. That works fine.

SO, is my theory that this should work wrong? I connect my digital Cambridge Soundworks speakers to my home PC via one cable. But, then again, the Sherwood is a different processor and the speakers are analog, not digital like the Soundworks speakers. FURTHERMORE (please bear with me

), is the idea of a Digital Surround Processor used along with a 5.1 surround card useless and redundant? I don't know. I didn't think so but maybe it is.

Anyway, here's a quick down and dirty diagram of what I'm doing. Please advise if I should just be using multiple (3) outputs from my Audigy and splitting them. Also please let me know if what I'm doing should or shouldn't work (Digital Out to Digital In). Thanks a ton guys.

One last sidenote: How does splitting an output accurately get translated to left/right? I guess I just don't get this. Or is the same signal sent to left/right and there is no true sense of each. Thanks again.

LESLIEx317537 · 04-20-2005, 08:48 PM

I dono, maybe check the spdif settings in the control panel for the SB Live?

Seems like it shoud work.

ChilliPepper · 04-20-2005, 08:56 PM

Thanks. At least now I know I'm not crazy. It seemed like it should work.

I don't know. I have the speakers set up as 5.1. I have the sound settings as Digital Out.

I don't know. Maybe the Digital In is broken on the Sherwood, but it doesn't work for #1 or #2.

Hmmm. Back to the drawing board I guess.

LESLIEx317537 · 04-20-2005, 09:29 PM

Did you click Digital Output Only on the Creative Speaker Settings screen?

Goto control panel and click on AudioHQ and make sure you don't have Mute Speakers when using Headphones.

Also play around with the Decoder Tab.

ChilliPepper · 04-20-2005, 09:38 PM

Yeah, that's what I meant when I said "Windows Digital Out".

The X-DTS80 is getting a digital signal. Because it has three options, analog, digital 1, and digital 2- if no signal exists on either or both of the digital lines, those inputs just blink. When I have the digital options set in Windows and connected to a particular line, that input stays steady and a DTS icon appears on the X-DTS80.

I am seriously considering going the Extigy route. I just read a great thread about the Extigy and its ability to convert all stereo inputs to 5.1 and process 5.1 Dolby Digital. All in real-time. And it switches between the two modes automatically.

If space isn't a factor (for me I can fit it), then I think it could be a great option worth exploring. In any event, I'll probably pick one up and try it out.

Thanks for the help. BTW, if anyone wants to see the Extigy thread, it's here:

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=39383

Electrocharge · 05-11-2005, 01:29 AM

Dumb question. When using like say the Audigy, is there any sound deg. from using the analog-dig rca adapter? i use them at home for my desktop into my home theater but havent noticed a difference. should be exactly the same yes?

Downside · 05-11-2005, 01:34 AM

Im sure there is, but not eanough to notice...the only way you would really notice a chance in the sound is if you where taking it across long distances.

Electrocharge · 05-11-2005, 03:18 AM

well like i know sometimes if you rotate the adapter while sound is moving through it there could be some static. what about the vibration of the car, bumps etc.....

LESLIEx317537 · 05-11-2005, 11:56 AM

I think the OHM's or resistance changes when you twist it thats why you get static.
I'm not sure about this one though. Anyone else?

I don't get any static over bumps, you have to hit a real hard bump to shake the rcas to twist.

Goines · 05-15-2005, 01:05 AM

I currently use an Audigy 2 NX to run my system. I want to run it in 5.1, but I have a 4 channel amp for my front / rears, and a mono sub amp for bass.

I could just use the software to lower the volume to the center channel, but that doesn't mean that the signal will be compensated for by the side speakers. So i'm wondering if we can take the centre channel and mix it with the front right / left with wires between the computer and the amps. This would allow the software to control the volume so that you could hear the difference with the sides and the front.

The only challenge I can see is that the signals could go back up the wire and mix the right & left channels.

So, is is possible, using diodes, etc, to mix the centre channel (in wires) with the left and right, without allowing a signal to mix between the right and the left?

If so, i think this would be the best solution to 5 channel audio on a 4 channel amp (which I think is the most common scenario).

Thoughts?

LESLIEx317537 · 05-15-2005, 08:01 AM

I use the CMSS setting 2x's stereo or something. Have you tried that yet?

I think that makes it sound better.

ppgt94 · 05-15-2005, 11:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Goines

I currently use an Audigy 2 NX to run my system. I want to run it in 5.1, but I have a 4 channel amp for my front / rears, and a mono sub amp for bass.

I could just use the software to lower the volume to the center channel, but that doesn't mean that the signal will be compensated for by the side speakers. So i'm wondering if we can take the centre channel and mix it with the front right / left with wires between the computer and the amps. This would allow the software to control the volume so that you could hear the difference with the sides and the front.

The only challenge I can see is that the signals could go back up the wire and mix the right & left channels.

So, is is possible, using diodes, etc, to mix the centre channel (in wires) with the left and right, without allowing a signal to mix between the right and the left?

If so, i think this would be the best solution to 5 channel audio on a 4 channel amp (which I think is the most common scenario).

Thoughts?

Hi Giones,

Most sound card software/drivers allow you to downmix 5.1 to other formats and re-map the channels. In my car I have the "4.1 surround" the Turtle Beach software combines the center channel into the L/R channels. What sound card will you be using?

P.S. Sorry everyone for being absent such a long time. I didn't know this thread would generate so much feedback. I'm glad to see other members picked up the slack. Thanks!

ppgt94 · 05-15-2005, 11:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by KyleYankan

I have a question. I have a new HU in an old car - no AUX IN. Now I had to buy an adapter cable so the new HU can plug in the old cables.

Kind of like this:

(OLD CABLES)======(my solder job)====(New Cables into HU)

I saw an article caying if you make your own Y-splitter adding a 10k resistor on each input line will eliminate the feedback-problem. can I do something like this?

(OLD CABLES)======/\/\/\/\/\============(HU)
\\==/\/\/\/\/\/\====(Amp)===(Carputer)

Or did I miss something?

Also one more question - we use shielded cable going from the pc to the amp - but regular wire when goig from amp to speaker. Should I use regular wire when going into the nest of cables behind my HU, or shielded? Why don't we uses shielded all around?

Out of all the time I've been here and the four cars I've installed a carputer in I have never heard of anyone having feedback problems using the methods in my illustrations. Of coarse I'm in no means claming the absolute solution. Anyone actually run into problems?

d_sellers1 · 05-15-2005, 11:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ppgt94

Hi Giones,

Most sound card software/drivers allow you to downmix 5.1 to other formats and re-map the channels. In my car I have the "4.1 surround" the Turtle Beach software combines the center channel into the L/R channels. What sound card will you be using?

P.S. Sorry everyone for being absent such a long time. I didn't know this thread would generate so much feedback. I'm glad to see other members picked up the slack. Thanks!

I think he was actually looking at running a 5.1 setup in his car but his current amps won't allow it.

My suggestion would be to run the center channel speaker in a bridged configuration between the front set of speakers.

Front and back speakers would hooked up normally but the center would go to the FR+ and the FL- speaker terminals on the amp.

This will take away some power from the front speakers but by playing with the balance, you can get that to equal out. But remember that this will not be a true 5.1 setup. If your primary use is for listening to music then remember that music is stereo and not real 5.1. I doubt you would even really notice while watching a DVD.

Derek