I am seeking opinions, suggestions and recommendations to build a frugal 5.1
sound system for a small room.

I am thinking on the lines of building a home theater PC (HTPC) using
all-in-one mainboard (PcChips) with its on board 5.1 audio. DVD drive plus
a nice modest 5.1 speaker system. This unit will do double duty as HTPC and
possibly a gaming machine (nothing too stressful).

Of course, this may be a disaster in the making, so I am seeking other
opinions on the solution.

I suspect that since the on board 5.1 audio might not have the dolby
decoder, I would have to get a speaker system that decodes dolby encoded
source material.

My dilemma:
DVD=on board 5.1= dolby decoder= 5.1 speakers
or
DVD= Audigy2 sound card = 5.1 speakers
or
something entirely different?

TIA!

P.S. - if I can save enough on the HTPC, the InFocus X1 looks attractive as
an interim DLP video projection system.

jetgraphics wrote:
I am seeking opinions, suggestions and recommendations to build a
frugal 5.1 sound system for a small room.

I am thinking on the lines of building a home theater PC (HTPC) using
all-in-one mainboard (PcChips) with its on board 5.1 audio. DVD drive
plus a nice modest 5.1 speaker system. This unit will do double duty
as HTPC and possibly a gaming machine (nothing too stressful).

Of course, this may be a disaster in the making, so I am seeking other
opinions on the solution.

I suspect that since the on board 5.1 audio might not have the dolby
decoder, I would have to get a speaker system that decodes dolby
encoded source material.

My dilemma:

DVD=on board 5.1= dolby decoder= 5.1 speakers
or
DVD= Audigy2 sound card = 5.1 speakers
or
something entirely different?


The DVD player software (example WinDVD, PowerDVD) is usually in charge of
managing the decoding. Depending on your hardware choices and software
choices, you may be able to implement either of the methodologies you
suggest. Software wile WindDVD and PowerDVD is bundled with some sound
cards and some DVD-ROM drives. The versions that are bundled with players
and sound cards is usually the stripped-back version. In general, it
supports the first option you mentioned. Usually, optional software upgrades
are required in order to make the second option work.

You need to study up on the DVD software and its options in order to finish
your planning.

On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 23:43:30 -0400, jetgraphics wrote:
I am seeking opinions, suggestions and recommendations to build a frugal 5.1
sound system for a small room.

I am thinking on the lines of building a home theater PC (HTPC) using
all-in-one mainboard (PcChips) with its on board 5.1 audio. DVD drive plus
a nice modest 5.1 speaker system. This unit will do double duty as HTPC and
possibly a gaming machine (nothing too stressful).

Of course, this may be a disaster in the making, so I am seeking other
opinions on the solution.

I suspect that since the on board 5.1 audio might not have the dolby
decoder, I would have to get a speaker system that decodes dolby encoded
source material.

My dilemma:
DVD=on board 5.1= dolby decoder= 5.1 speakers
this will work perfectly


or
DVD= Audigy2 sound card = 5.1 speakers
avoid creative labs sound cards. They do too much mucking around
in the digital domain and leave you with ghettoblaster sound quality.

fathom wrote:
But there's no need to use a HTPC for the system. Why not
just get a standalone DVD player with DVI connection, and mate
it with a good LCD screen with DVI inputs? You get a fully
digital video connection and no PC fans or hard drive noise to
worry about.

I agree that the simpler solution might be sufficient. And noise abatement
might require a "decorative" enclosure. But there are other advantages to
the frugal HTPC:
1) Personal Video Recording / TiVO clone
2) HDTV Tuner (if and when)
3) expansion of recording capacity (bigger / more HD)
4) simultaneous web surfing and TV viewing (if equipped with SVGA and TV
out)
5) incremental upgrade capacity
6) DVD burner

fathom wrote:
Fantastic 5.1 system with outboard DD/DTS decoder is the Aego5
from Acoustic Energy. Lists for $1200, but you can get it
BRAND NEW from the American distributor for $399 on eBay.
Just do a search for "aego".

Looks interesting.
Anyone else have opinions on it?

That might be an ideal unit for either HTPC or component home theater.