Best course of action.

[raverdave2k]

Not a hundred percent sure if the answer to my problem is going to end up being a computer audio related one or not but decided to start off here.

I currently watch blu-ray in the bedroom using the PC connected to my TV, setup as follows.

AOC LE22K097 22" LED 1080p
Samsung SH-B123L Blu-Ray Drive
Using PowerDVD 11 for BluRay playback
(Use XMBC 11 for DVD, Steaming Video, AVI's)

Game audio and music I play through my logitech stereo speakers through the onboard sound and I have no problem with.

Video and Audio going direct to the TV via HDMI out on a Raden HD5670

Now my problem is I'm really struggling to get the audio set up right, voices often to low while sound effects are way to loud, played with the settings and EQ on the TV as well as the settings in PowerDVD and can't seem to get it right.

A spot of research suggests I'm not going to solve this while limited to the TV's built in stereo speakers which leads on to my question(s)

What is the best path to take:

1) New Sound Card with digital Out to an amp with some 5.1 speakers
2) As above but using the onboard digital out
3) HDMI out to a reciever and to the speakers from there
4) Leave everything as it is going to the TV then output from there (either 3.5mm Jack or Phonos) either to an amp / reciever or direct to speakers.
5) Do nothing, there are some clever software options you have overlooked

As this is only my bedroom set up I'm not looking for super expensive all out sound system, just a reasonable quality yet low ish cost improvment over the TV's built in speakers.

Now I realise options 3 and 4 are not really computer audio solutions hence my disclaimer at the start. So, opinions welcome (assuming any one read all that with out getting bored )

[Nick The Slick]

Personally I would go with HDMI out to a receiver and then to speakers. I have that type of setup, but for full on home theater and dedicated music listening so my gear is overkill as I'm planning for the future. For a bedroom though you could pick up a decent cheap 5.1 receiver and small 5.1 (or 5.0 if you don't want to deal with a sub) speaker set up such as this and you will have a much improved sound over the tv speakers for relatively cheap. I recommended that 5.1 speaker set to a friend of mine and sold him my Onkyo TX-SR308 for $75 and he says he loves it in his bedroom (he bought the version with the 10" subwoofer btw).

I think this would be optimal for you since with a receiver you can set the computer up to bitstream all of the audio information and let the receiver decode it so you know you are getting the sound you want. Just an idea though, maybe someone else can come up with something better/cheaper.

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by raverdave2k

3) HDMI out to a reciever and to the speakers from there

Best option if you can manage it

[raverdave2k]

Well thats 2 nil to option 3 at the moment then, just had a look at some prices and cheapest reciever I could spot was the Onkyo TXSR309 for £140 + around £70 for speakers, as my current job ends in about 6 weeks I prob can't justify spending that until this job ends and I find another one.

Plus as the living room also currently only uses the TV speakers if I through kit like that in my bedroom and I'd prob have to do it down there as well, not that I'd ever get the chance to make proper use of it as I only get access to the lounge for movies after everyone else has gone to bed

Still thanks for the opinions guys, does sound like the best plan, and I suppose I can get the speakers first as there cheaper and use them as is until I can afford to check in the reciever as well.

[pentatonic]

Just a quick question, are your windows audio settings for 2ch stereo? If they're not that my be why you seem to have center channel not showing up in stereo.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

Best option if you can manage it

Ditto

[raverdave2k]

Originally Posted by prerich

Ditto

The saving has commenced but with all these steelbook releases it will be long and slow