Need help with A/V components

October 9, 2013 9:55 PM

I have a planned A/V setup to add a receiver to my existing system, but I don't have the proper connectors to hook my existing equipment to a receiver.

Here are the pieces that I currently have:

DVD / consoles / etc: we can safely assume all of these output both audio and visual through HDMI: http://i.imgur.com/wyxWfTj.jpg

Projector with video inputs only: http://i.imgur.com/ubZ5CV3h.jpg

TV with all the standard modern connectors and such: http://i.imgur.com/4ukfSrGh.jpg

Computer 5.1 subwoofer/amplifier: http://i.imgur.com/xlDp4Twh.jpg , input: http://i.imgur.com/BnONXT7h.jpg

5.1 amplifier’s attendant speakers: http://i.imgur.com/gbL8uSUh.jpg

Computer surround speakers, with subwoofer and amplifer (I don’t expect to use them for this, but I included them for completeness and in case someone has a bright idea with them): http://i.imgur.com/1pt369qh.jpg

Here is what I currently plan to acquire:

AV receiver, likely: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR313-5-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0077V8930/ Here are the inputs and outputs of the intended receiver: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81jptcBrcTL._SL1500_.jpg

HDMI splitter, likely http://www.amazon.com/CVID-BG-520-splitter-switcher-XBOX360/dp/B0089DSLMY/

Magic voodoo device (see below)

Here is what I plan to do:

I’m going to route all the various AV output devices, the consoles, the DVD player, etc, into the receiver. I will then send the receiver’s HDMI output to the splitter and use the splitter to choose whether I’m outputting video to the TV or the projector. I will have the receiver’s audio out routed to a magical voodoo device or series of devices that allows me to connect the 5.1 copper cable output to the computer 5.1 system I already have.

So, here’s what I need from you, my friends: does my magic voodoo device exist? Is there something out there that lets me send signal from a copper speaker wire to either computer inputs on the computer amplifier or directly to a set of RCA jacks, such as the ones on the speakers for said computer amplifier? I’ve seen some cheap devices that purport to be speaker wire to RCA adapters, but I don’t have any confidence that they’ll work for me.

posted by elvendude to Technology (9 answers total)

I find this a little confusing. So basically what you're trying to do is avoid buying speakers for your receiver, and use the computer speakers instead?
posted by primethyme at 10:11 PM on October 9, 2013

Are the cheap devices line level converters? I'd think that's what you want.

I wouldn't connect the satellite speakers directly to the receiver, at least not without looking really carefully at all the specs. Even if it takes RCA input and outputs, that doesn't mean that the sub is sending line-level audio to it. They might be sending speaker level signals over RCA connectors or something in between or some other crazy thing. And I'd expect that the satellite is designed to receive a signal with all the bass stripped out and sent to the sub, which might well be responsible for higher frequencies than home theater subs. Anyway, if you just connect the speakers to the receiver, I'd worry that (a) they'd sound like tinny ass, and (b) that you might asplode them.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:35 PM on October 9, 2013

So, essentially, you want to amplify, then de-amplify whatever audio signal is running through the receiver so you can play it on the rear speakers with a built-in amplifier? There really isn't a good way to do that with a receiver.

You could achieve this by getting a home theater preamplifier, thus allowing you to select inputs and send the line-level audio to the rear powered speakers, and the LR signal to a 2-channel power amplifier and then to the main speakers. However, if your goal is to save money, you'll quickly find that separate preamplifiers and power amplifiers are much more expensive than all-in-one receivers. There are home theater receivers that have preamp level outputs, but they are typically 2-channel LR main outputs, and not the full 5 channels.

I think your best option is just to spring for some ordinary passive speakers. If you're looking to save money, you could start out with just the left and right speakers you have now, and add the other 4 later on. You can even build your own speakers from a kit if you're even slightly handy. You'd need to add this plate amplifier to the sub to make it work.

As for the HDMI splitter, I think you could reduce your complexity if either your projector or TV has a Component video input. That receiver has two HD-capable outputs--one HDMI, and one Component Video (though component video is only capable of 1080 interlaced, as opposed to HDMI's 1080 progressive scan). Connect the HDMI to the projector if possible (as the larger screen will benefit more from 1080p) and connect the Component video to the TV.
posted by TrialByMedia at 11:04 PM on October 9, 2013

I misread above--I thought you already had standard Left and Right passive speakers for some reason. You'll need a full set of passive speakers to use this receiver. Suggest starting with two for left and right and adding more as budget allows. Don't bother messing with computer speakers.
posted by TrialByMedia at 11:17 PM on October 9, 2013 [3 favorites]

You can feed the line level input of your computer speakers with the headphone output on the front of the receiver. This is not ideal by any means but its the best way to do what you want with what you have. This shouldn't hurt anything but you will have to play with the volume on the receiver to get things to sound right. You will need a 1/4" to RCA stereo adapter
posted by jmsta at 3:42 AM on October 10, 2013

Response by poster: >I find this a little confusing. So basically what you're trying to do is avoid buying speakers for your receiver, and use the computer speakers instead?

Yes, this, precisely. I'm hoping to find a solution that uses the existing equipment. But I understand that may not be possible.
posted by elvendude at 10:32 AM on October 10, 2013

Response by poster: >So, essentially, you want to amplify, then de-amplify whatever audio signal is running through the receiver so you can play it on the rear speakers with a built-in amplifier? There really isn't a good way to do that with a receiver.

That's a very complex way of looking it. I don't really care about amplifying, deamplifying, etc. My primary goal is "don't spend an arm and a leg." Persuing that goal is the question, "Can I make the existing speakers that are intended for a computer work on a receiver without spending an arm and a leg?"

>I think your best option is just to spring for some ordinary passive speakers. If you're looking to save money, you could start out with just the left and right speakers you have now, and add the other 4 later on. You can even build your own speakers from a kit if you're even slightly handy. You'd need to add this plate amplifier to the sub to make it work.

At this point, I'm leaning strongly toward just using the existing computer stereo speakers. The receiver I'm looking at has RCA out, and these speakers have RCA in. It would work for now until I'm ready to buy some more speakers.

>As for the HDMI splitter, I think you could reduce your complexity if either your projector or TV has a Component video input. That receiver has two HD-capable outputs--one HDMI, and one Component Video (though component video is only capable of 1080 interlaced, as opposed to HDMI's 1080 progressive scan). Connect the HDMI to the projector if possible (as the larger screen will benefit more from 1080p) and connect the Component video to the TV.

Either way, I'm looking at buying a new component: either a component cable or an HDMI splitter. I see, marginally, more utility on the splitter. But your suggestion certainly has merit! And connecting the component to the TV would alleviate having to find a cord long enough...hmmm...I'll need to think on the options.
posted by elvendude at 10:37 AM on October 10, 2013

Response by poster: >You can feed the line level input of your computer speakers with the headphone output on the front of the receiver. This is not ideal by any means but its the best way to do what you want with what you have. This shouldn't hurt anything but you will have to play with the volume on the receiver to get things to sound right. You will need a 1/4" to RCA stereo adapter

That's actually a really good solution for just stereo. I have the stereo speakers, and that may work. Thanks!
posted by elvendude at 10:39 AM on October 10, 2013

If I'm reading this correctly you want to de-embed audio from your HDMI sources and drive your computer speakers with a (stereo) line level input. Is that right?

You may be able to use the VCR/DVR out on the receiver (center, under 'VIDEO/AUDIO') as a (constant) line level source for your 5.1. You'd need a Y cable (two RCA male, one 3.5mm male stereo) as well. Also, Here's a $45 HDMI audio de-embedder.

Alternative solution to all this magic: chop up your computer speakers' wires and drive them directly with the Onkyo's outputs. Drive the powered sub with an RCA cable from the back of the Onkyo.
posted by ostranenie at 7:56 PM on October 11, 2013