sb live to amplifer/home theatre system question

[ii2o]

hi,

i have an sblive and would like to know what is the best configuration
for connecting it to an amplifier [or a home theatre system] such that
i get outputs from all 5 speakers when playing both movies and mp3s in
winamp. one thing i have gathered from other posters is that if i use
the digital output and feed it into an amplifier, i will get output
from all speakers when using a 5.1 or ac3 encoded source, but when
playing an mp3 file which is only stereo encoded, i would potentially
only get 2 speakers providing an output. what i really want is to have
all my speakers active all the time, whilst playing games or watching
movies i would want surround sound, and whilst playing mp3s i would
want output from all speakers [even though i know its not surround
sound].

any response would be appreciated [i'm quite an amateur in sound
technologies and the such so please consider that in any replies :)]

tia,

ro

[Gnasher]

Post by ii2o
hi,
i have an sblive and would like to know what is the best configuration
for connecting it to an amplifier [or a home theatre system] such that
i get outputs from all 5 speakers when playing both movies and mp3s in
winamp. one thing i have gathered from other posters is that if i use
the digital output and feed it into an amplifier, i will get output
from all speakers when using a 5.1 or ac3 encoded source, but when
playing an mp3 file which is only stereo encoded, i would potentially
only get 2 speakers providing an output. what i really want is to have
all my speakers active all the time, whilst playing games or watching
movies i would want surround sound, and whilst playing mp3s i would
want output from all speakers [even though i know its not surround
sound].
any response would be appreciated [i'm quite an amateur in sound
technologies and the such so please consider that in any replies :)]
tia,
ro

Line out of soundcard to AUX in of reciever. You will need to get a
stereo splitter from Radioshack so you can gonnect to right/left of
AUX connectors on reciever.

[Sven]

Hi,

I use SB Live Player 5.1 and Denon AVR-1802 A/V-Receiver and I think
I'm using a very good configuration which you should try as well. You
need a coaxial digital input and a 5.1 channel discrete analog input
(6 sockets, 1 for each speaker) at your Receiver. And you need a Cinch
splitter (one socket, two plugs).

Select 5.1 speakers in the SB Live Settings.
Connect the 5.1 analog outputs to your receiver's 5.1 analog input.
(Use 3 cables with 3,5-mm-stereo-plugs at one end and two cinch-plugs
at the other end) But do not connect the Centre plug directly into
your receiver; instead, use the splitter: This allows you to connect
the Centre plug to your Centre input AND to your coaxial Digital
input at the same time. You should do that because the centre plug
carries
- the centre signal when digital output is deactivated.
- and the digital signal when digital output is activated!

This makes it possible to play games in surround, DVD in DD, DTS, and
stereo MP3 etc.
When you want to play games, deactivate digital output at your sound
card. Select the 5.1-analog-input at your Receiver.
When you listen to DVDs, select digital output at your sound card and
digital input at your receiver. Deactivate your sound card's DD
decoder, so it passes the DD or DTS stream to your receiver.
When you listen to music, e.g. MP3, you can use both possibilities. I
usually use digital transmission, so I can select stereo,
5-channel-stereo or Dolby ProLogic at my receiver. (ProLogic is really
great when you watch 2-channel-movies, e.g. DivX, or if you have a TV
card in your PC).

When in analog mode, you will realize that the digital input of your
receiver weakens the signal which goes to your Centre input. So you
will have to readjust the volume of the Centre Speaker in your
Receivers configuration.

If the hole thing about the spitter does not work, you can do the
following:
Connect the Centre Plug ONLY to the digital input, and select 4.0
speaker settings for your SB live.
You will only have 4 directions auf sound when playing games, but the
digital mode will work nevertheless.

If you have a subwoofer, don't forget to activate "bass redirection"
in your sound cards configuration software.

Hope this helps you!


Bye

Sven.