Is there such a thing?

JimmyEatWorms · 9 May 2007 at 09:33

Is there a device that will take optical inputs and output to a PC 5.1 speaker set (with the usual 3 x 3.5mm jacks)?

squiffy · 9 May 2007 at 09:42

Do you want Pro-Logic, Dolby Digital & DTS decoding too?

JimmyEatWorms · 9 May 2007 at 09:58

To be honest, I'm not that fussed. The plan is to have my mac mini and 360 hooked up to 2407wfp and whatever low cost 5.1 audio system I can get my hands on (preferably utilising my existing Logitech speakers).

squiffy · 9 May 2007 at 10:08

Look for a dolby digital decoder, Denon AVD-2000 should do you. Got one around here spare. Optical and electrical digital inputs, 5.1 output (6xRCA)

JimmyEatWorms · 9 May 2007 at 10:18

So I take it I can just buy 3 x dual RCA to 3.5mm jack adapters and plug each 3.5mm jack into these?

squiffy · 9 May 2007 at 10:21

Yup. Or use stereo RCA to 3.5mm stereo jack cables.

JimmyEatWorms · 9 May 2007 at 10:33

Would something like a Sony STRDE400 do the same job? Can't find anywhere selling the Denon ADV-2000.

Sorry for the daft questions. AV has always confused the heck out of me

squiffy · 9 May 2007 at 10:37

It looks like av amplifier, which you don't need. You only need line level processing/multi-channel DAC. Since you have 5.1 speakers it makes sense to buy a DD/DTS decoder, rather than a straight stereo DAC.

JimmyEatWorms · 9 May 2007 at 14:15

It seems that stand-alone DD decoders are as rare as rocking-horse poo these days (unless you want to spend silly money)...or am I mistaken?

Edit: Would I be better off buying a DVD player with an inbuilt decoder?

james.miller · 9 May 2007 at 14:25

you could pick up a second hand av amp with 5.1 pre-outs that'll do the decoding off the 'bay for less than the price of a dd decoder new.

JimmyEatWorms · 9 May 2007 at 14:40

You could have been talking greek for all I know there

(I really am that clueless when it comes to AV).

Any recommendations on what to look out for?

squiffy · 9 May 2007 at 14:57

Do you only intend to have the DVD player as a source? If you put a av pre-amp in between (the Denon) you can have several sources, and remote control the volume.

JimmyEatWorms · 9 May 2007 at 15:02

No. I need multiple sources (mac mini and xbox 360...both optical).

squiffy · 9 May 2007 at 15:12

Then you need a decoder, or a av amplifier if you want to power passive speakers.

Read up on the Denon AVD-2000 and decide if it's ok. It doesn't decode DTS, but it has 2 coax, 2 optical inputs, 5.1 output (adjustable) stereo downmix outputs, optical output, remote control, stereo, pro-logic & dolby digital processing, plus a few DSP modes.

JimmyEatWorms · 9 May 2007 at 15:14

I've had a look at the Denon and i'm pretty convinced it's OK...however, trying to find one is proving a little more difficult. I assume it's quite an old model?

squiffy · 9 May 2007 at 15:24

Yup discontinued, dolby digital decoders are now longer produced, although there are av pre-amps, but there are quite expensive, and have video switching. Do you need video switching?

I have a Denon lying around. There's the Harmon/Kardon ADP-303, that's a stereo & Dolby Digital decoder, it's not as well featured as the Denon. No remote control for one, and it doesn't decode pro-logic. I have a ADP-303 spare too.

You could look at a budget av amplifier, as they do the same job as the denon, plus have newer dsp decoding, dd ex, es, pro-logic II etc. Make sure it has a full set of pre-outs (5.1 analogue) otherwise you can't use your Logitech speakers.