Connecting computer to home theater, best way to get surround sound.

[scottmandue]

In my quest to stream netflix and hulu into my home theater I have encountered a conundrum.

Satellite box and DVD connect via fiber optic to my Pioneer receiver to give me 5.1/7.1 surround sound.

Easy enough to get a high end video card with a HDMI out to go to the receiver.

But how do I get surround sound encoding from the computer to the Pioneer?

[ledhedsymbols]

I have had the same issue. I think much of it is just that netflix etc doesn't encode the stream in 5.1 or 7.1 audio. I have heard that the Sony PS3 has surround from netflix, but I don't know for sure. One thing is for certain, I am subscribing to this thread in the hope that some of our more tech savvy Pelicans have a good answer!

[Moses]

This is what I use.

[Hugh R]

Look at an Apple TV, its a box that costs about $100. If your computer and home theater are plugged into the WI-FI or hard wired to the router, it works great. You can also watch netflix and a bunch of other stuff.

[imcarthur]

If the computer or video card has a s/pdif digital out (coax connector or mini with adapters) & your receiver has a digital input you can usually decode DTS/Dolby Digital signals.

Ian

[MysticLlama]

I think most SoundBlasters starting with the X-Fi, and possibly as far back as the Audigy will have coax digital out. Some of them also have optical if you have extra optical inputs on the Pioneer.

Some newer motherboards also have coax or optical outputs, but I think you'd have noticed that if you had it already.

Originally Posted by imcarthur

If the computer or video card has a s/pdif digital out (coax connector or mini with adapters) & your receiver has a digital input you can usually decode DTS/Dolby Digital signals.

Ian

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

If the computer or video card has a s/pdif digital out (coax connector or mini with adapters) & your receiver has a digital input you can usually decode DTS/Dolby Digital signals.

Ian

Originally Posted by MysticLlama

I think most SoundBlasters starting with the X-Fi, and possibly as far back as the Audigy will have coax digital out. Some of them also have optical if you have extra optical inputs on the Pioneer.

Some newer motherboards also have coax or optical outputs, but I think you'd have noticed that if you had it already.

Yes, looking at the SB X-Fi with optical (Pioneer has optical inputs).

Like the idea of just getting plug and play XBOX ot PS3, connect to Internet and be done with it.

However the tech inside wants to build a PC with Internet... then I could loose the satellite and DVD and run everything through the computer.

Thing is I'm bit of an audio/video snob and don't want to give up any quality in sound/picture.

[stomachmonkey]

Sony BX18 Blu-Ray Player

Hulu, NetFlix, Internet

$70.00, Costco, BJ's

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Moses

This is what I use.

What is it?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Sony BX18 Blu-Ray Player

Hulu, NetFlix, Internet

$70.00, Costco, BJ's

I have seen that... OPPO, LG, and Pioneer all have Blue ray players with that function, what is the interface like?

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I have seen that... OPPO, LG, and Pioneer all have Blue ray players with that function, what is the interface like?

The Sony is identical to the PS3 interface.

Honestly can not stand the PS3, I would put it way down on your list of options.

Way too many updates, worse than Windows.

Did some rearranging of the kids media area over the weekend, fired up the PS3 to check it and of course it needed a system update then needed Netflix app updated. 20 minutes before the thing was useable.

I don't particularly like using gaming consoles for media devices. They always seem clunky. Much prefer a purpose built device.

You look at a Boxee?

[Moses]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

What is it?

WD TV Live. Very comparable to Roku. Apple TV has more functionality and a cleaner interface.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by MysticLlama

Some newer motherboards also have coax or optical outputs, but I think you'd have noticed that if you had it already.

My motherboard had s/pdif output pins - but unconnected. I fabbed a cable & installed a female coax connector on the back of my PC.

Ian

[id10t]

Get a rasberry pi build a media thing and feed it via hdmi

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

The Sony is identical to the PS3 interface.

Honestly can not stand the PS3, I would put it way down on your list of options.

Way too many updates, worse than Windows.

Did some rearranging of the kids media area over the weekend, fired up the PS3 to check it and of course it needed a system update then needed Netflix app updated. 20 minutes before the thing was useable.

I don't particularly like using gaming consoles for media devices. They always seem clunky. Much prefer a purpose built device.

You look at a Boxee?

Thanks! I'm trying to move away from satellite and the interface is the big thing now having been spoiled with an on screen channel guide.

having said that I find myself with 150+ channels and nothing to watch so I think I am heading in the right direction . I have considered just pulling the plug altogether.

Only thing with Boxee and Roku is I would like to do some hands on before buying to see how intuitive the interface is.

Also read yesterday that Android based machines don't do Netflix so well?

So the Sony Blue ray machines are the same as the PS3 (Braviavission)? I was leaning that way, I presume I could go to the Sony store at the mall and check them out.

Building my own PC is an option (but the most expensive and time consuming option, neither of which I have in abundance).

I will have to revisit Boxee and Roku (and apple TV...) but remember I need the fiber optic output to get 5.1/7.1