Howdy!

I'm getting a large collection of music (mp3 and mp4) on my pc and I'd like
to run audio to my stereo.

If I get a sound card with Optical (digital) output to my stereo (which has
optical in), will I be able to play my mp3's at a higher quality through my
stereo? I'm wondering if only digital audio sources (ie dvd movies/audio
encoded with dolby digital/dts) will output to the stereo in digital format
or if the mp3's will also play over the optical cable.

If the mp3's aren't able to transmit over optical cable, is the only option
to run a L and R rca cable?

Thanks!

"NotMe" wrote in message
isi.com...
Howdy!

I'm getting a large collection of music (mp3 and mp4) on my pc and I'd
like
to run audio to my stereo.

If I get a sound card with Optical (digital) output to my stereo (which
has
optical in), will I be able to play my mp3's at a higher quality through
my
stereo? I'm wondering if only digital audio sources (ie dvd movies/audio
encoded with dolby digital/dts) will output to the stereo in digital
format
or if the mp3's will also play over the optical cable.

If the mp3's aren't able to transmit over optical cable, is the only
option
to run a L and R rca cable?

Thanks!

Unless your receiver has a built-in MP3 decoder (unlikely) then you will
have to play MP3 the analog outputs to the receiver.

"Mark A" wrote in message
...
"NotMe" wrote in message
isi.com...
Howdy!

I'm getting a large collection of music (mp3 and mp4) on my pc and I'd
like
to run audio to my stereo.

If I get a sound card with Optical (digital) output to my stereo (which
has
optical in), will I be able to play my mp3's at a higher quality through
my
stereo? I'm wondering if only digital audio sources (ie dvd
movies/audio
encoded with dolby digital/dts) will output to the stereo in digital
format
or if the mp3's will also play over the optical cable.

If the mp3's aren't able to transmit over optical cable, is the only
option
to run a L and R rca cable?

Thanks!

Unless your receiver has a built-in MP3 decoder (unlikely) then you will
have to play MP3 the analog outputs to the receiver.



Wrong. MP3 file is digital. You are not trasmitting MP3 format, rather
L&R stereo sound. You can transmit sound digitally from sound card
even if it is stereo. The best sound card for music is M-audio revo 7.1.
It does not support optical connection, but supports digital coax cable.
your receiver has to be able to digital coax cable.

I have this card and my MP3 and other lossless files I play sound
just awsome. Of course, you have to have good receiver /speakers.

"Mark A" wrote in message
...
"NotMe" wrote in message
isi.com...
Howdy!

I'm getting a large collection of music (mp3 and mp4) on my pc and I'd
like
to run audio to my stereo.

If I get a sound card with Optical (digital) output to my stereo
(which
has
optical in), will I be able to play my mp3's at a higher quality
through
my
stereo? I'm wondering if only digital audio sources (ie dvd
movies/audio
encoded with dolby digital/dts) will output to the stereo in digital
format
or if the mp3's will also play over the optical cable.

If the mp3's aren't able to transmit over optical cable, is the only
option
to run a L and R rca cable?

Thanks!

Unless your receiver has a built-in MP3 decoder (unlikely) then you will
have to play MP3 the analog outputs to the receiver.



Wrong. MP3 file is digital. You are not trasmitting MP3 format, rather
L&R stereo sound. You can transmit sound digitally from sound card
even if it is stereo. The best sound card for music is M-audio revo 7.1.
It does not support optical connection, but supports digital coax cable.
your receiver has to be able to digital coax cable.

I have this card and my MP3 and other lossless files I play sound
just awsome. Of course, you have to have good receiver /speakers.

OK, you can convert the MP3 digital format to CD format digital, send it to
the receiver, and then have the receiver convert to analog, but that is just
one extra conversion that has to take place (although it occurs in the
digital domain). I would assume it might be preferable to just convert MP3
strait to analog and then send the analog to the receiver. But I have to
admit that I am not sure whether there would be any theoretical loss of
resolution with the extra conversion.

If you are talking about whether one could actually hear the difference even
if some degradation occurred with the extra conversion, that is a totally
different question and much harder to answer.

Unless your receiver has a built-in MP3 decoder (unlikely) then you will
have to play MP3 the analog outputs to the receiver.

BULL****. The computer will decode the mp3. The decoded data will be
sent via s/pdif over the optical cable.

You really shouldn't post when you haven't the slightest clue what you're
talking about.

You really shouldn't post until you have read the entire thread.

TCS wrote:
On Sat, 6 Sep 2003 16:22:00 -0600, Mark A wrote:

"NotMe" wrote in message
.visi.com...

Howdy!

I've read the thread so far;-) and would like to make/emphasise a point
or two...


I'm getting a large collection of music (mp3 and mp4) on my pc and I'd

like

to run audio to my stereo.

If I get a sound card with Optical (digital) output to my stereo (which

has

optical in), will I be able to play my mp3's at a higher quality through

my

stereo?

Probably, just because your HiFi is likely to have much nicer speakers
that any small things you've plugged into your PC. This applies, of
course, whether you use a digital output from the PC to your HiFi *or*
an analogue connection.

Which sounds better will have a lot to do with which of the HiFi or the
Soundcard has the better Digital/Analogue converter. Unless you have an
expensive soundcard, probably the HiFi has. My soundcard 'sounds' as
good as my CD player, but it cost almost as much.

A recent thread herein (or it might have been rec.audio.misc) discussed
'moderately' priced soundcards.


I'm wondering if only digital audio sources (ie dvd movies/audio
encoded with dolby digital/dts) will output to the stereo in digital

format


*Everything* on your computer is in digital format Regardless of where
it came from from, it is now digital if it is on the PC. Soundcards are
about converting sound to bits and vv.

Nck H

or if the mp3's will also play over the optical cable.

If the mp3's aren't able to transmit over optical cable, is the only

option

to run a L and R rca cable?

Thanks!


Unless your receiver has a built-in MP3 decoder (unlikely) then you will
have to play MP3 the analog outputs to the receiver.


BULL****. The computer will decode the mp3. The decoded data will be
sent via s/pdif over the optical cable.

You really shouldn't post when you haven't the slightest clue what you're
talking about.

"NotMe" wrote in message
isi.com...
Howdy!

I'm getting a large collection of music (mp3 and mp4) on my pc and I'd
like
to run audio to my stereo.

Many people do this. It's hardly rocket science.

If I get a sound card with Optical (digital) output to my stereo (which
has
optical in), will I be able to play my mp3's at a higher quality through
my
stereo?

Yes.

I'm wondering if only digital audio sources (ie dvd movies/audio
encoded with dolby digital/dts) will output to the stereo in digital
format.

No both MP3s and vDD/DTS video will play over the same digital line, and any
competent surround converter or receiver will automatically decode the
digital bitstream into a proper 2-channel or 5/1 signal.

or if the mp3's will also play over the optical cable.

Yes.