What Connection Would I Need To Run Audio Through A HDMI Graphics Card

[Ambro]

Im getting a multimedia pc for my grandad and was looking for a graphics card and motherboard with onboard sound that could transfer audio and video straight through a hdmi output. So far I found this graphcis card - MSI NX7300GS - and I found this motherboard - Abit IB9 atx.

I read the motherboard has SPIDIF Coaxial output so I think it will work although i'm not sure about the graphics card. Could anyone give me any advice?

 

[Darkwave]

The new ATI cards are going to have audio over HDMI if you can wait.

Thinking of waiting for those my self to put a low-end one in my HTPC.

 

[Ambro]

I needed to get one as soon as possible really, I have seen a few, although some say optical ?spidif? or coaxial ?spidif? Could anyone tell me what is the difference between them and which one should I get?

 

[fornowagain]

Look for an HDMI graphics card that lists an SPDIF passthrough. Its just two pins or a plug on the graphics card that routes the digital output from a soundcard or onboard sound (better if it has the the two pin board connector) into the HDMI connection. Optical SPDIF uses a light source for the connection, its the coaxial SPDIF which I'd concentrate on, its 2 physical connections signal+ground. Some use external patch leads which are just plain nasty imo. If you have a motherboard/soundcard with the 2 pins digital connection, its all internal and a lot tidier.

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=NX7600GT_Diamond_Plus&class=vga
http://www.sapphiretech.com/en/products/graphics_gallery.php?gpid=145
http://event.asus.com/vga/manual/hdmi_spdif_cable.pdf



The Asus P5W DH Deluxe has internal SPDIF, as an example.

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=248&l4=0&model=1198&modelmenu=1

 

[Ambro]

Thanks for the advice. I only wish I had read this before then I could have ordered the parts you reccomend as I have already ordered it.

Does anyone know if it will work with this motherboard and graphics card - MSI NX7300GS & Gigabyte GA_965P_DS3? Thanks for the advice so far.

 

[fornowagain]

Nope, you're SOL. That graphics card is pants tbh, doesn't even have HDMI. Sorry. Personally I'd send it back under distance regs or cancel if possible. And why get the DS3, the S3 would be just as good in an HTPC?

 

[Ambro]

I think you must have the graphics cards mixed up because this one does have a HDMI output, there are two which are quite similar. I thought the DS3 was pretty low cost for that chipset and features, I don't want to cut costs too much and then regret it in the future.

 

[fornowagain]

I think you must have the graphics cards mixed up because this one does have a HDMI output, there are two which are quite similar. I thought the DS3 was pretty low cost for that chipset and features, I don't want to cut costs too much and then regret it in the future.

Looking at the MSi site there's five of em. Guess this one ? Can't see any SPDIF on that at all,

IIRC the S3 version is the same board as the DS3 with cheaper capacitors, the more expensive DS3 just overclocks further, I don't know of any other difference's on spec.

 

[Ambro]

I never saw the DS otherwise I probably woudl have got that one, but theres not much difference in price. The card comes with a spidif cable which I found out from another site but the MSI webiste is absoloutly rubbish and gives not much information on their own products.

 

[fornowagain]

Yeah you're right, it does have a cable, its has a two pin passthrough like I described to you earlier and a coaxial to plug in externally.