Connecting speaker systems to the TV. External sound card for transmitting digital audio via HDMI cable External sound card for TV

About a month ago, one of my relatives got the idea to build a media center based on his old computer to watch movies on his LCD TV. He purchased a GMC AVC-K1 multimedia case with a remote control for this. The components were successfully transplanted from the old case to the new one and everything worked, but the sound from the computer did not want to be transmitted to the TV via the HDMI cable. He solved this problem in a very radical way, simply by placing computer speakers to the left and right of the TV. I found this picture when I came to visit him. On mine When asked about this know-how in sound technology, he replied that he just couldn’t overcome this problem and maybe I could help with something.

What a twist!

“No problem!” - I answered arrogantly. The fact is that on older computers, to transmit audio to HDMI on video cards, there is a special connector for supplying audio from the motherboard to the video card, and then to the DVI and HDMI outputs.
This is what is on the video card of this computer:


To connect you need a simple cable of two wires, like this:


I've had a couple of them lying around for a long time - I bought them on occasion. But if I don't have them in stock, it's easy to make - just two wires.
And so I took this cable, removed the right cover of the computer case, connected it to the video card and looked for the digital audio connector on the motherboard. But he's not there!
“What a turn!” - I thought. By the way, a little about the computer configuration - ASRock A780LM-S motherboard, dual-core Athlon 5000 3 GHz processor, 8 GB RAM, GeForce 9600GT video card. operating system - Windows 10. Easily plays FullHD movies. And this motherboard simply does not have a digital audio connector.
After half an hour of searching on Google, it turned out that this problem can be solved by an external sound card, from which we can take the sound we need in digital format - namely S/PDIF. As a result, this option was chosen on Aliexpress, based on the low cost and positive seller rating.

Delivery and contents of the parcel

An order was placed on March 21, 2017, the seller sent the order on March 25, 2017 (free delivery) and the package was received on April 14, 2017.
A standard yellow package, slightly wrinkled, with the order wrapped inside in a bubble wrap:


Inside the bubble wrap is a sound card in an antistatic bag:


Open the package and take out the card itself:


The card has these connectors - on the right - USB Type B 2.0 for connecting to a computer, on the left, from top to bottom - a 3.5 mm analog audio output jack, TOSLINK optical audio output and the coaxial S/PDIF output we need.
The board also has buttons for manual volume control - VOL+ and VOL- and muting the sound - MUTE.
The board is based on the PCM2704 chip:

For those interested, here is the data sheet for this chip.
Reverse side of the board:


The installation was done more or less efficiently, but there are some stains from unwashed flux, which was eliminated by wiping with isopropyl alcohol.

Installing and testing the card

The time has come to install this card in the computer - first we prepare a cable to connect it to the video card. Feel free to cut off the now unnecessary connectors and solder a standard “tulip” - we even found the right color:


Connecting to the video card:


Since we need to somehow connect to the computer via USB, we use a cable from an old printer and collect everything to check:


We turn on the computer, the LED on the scarf lights up and a new audio device appears in the Device Manager - USB AUDIO DAC:


In the playback devices section, this device is set as the default:


The system itself found the drivers and installed them.
Turn off the computer and connect it via an HDMI cable to the TV. Turn on the TV, computer, start the movie and - lo and behold! There is sound via HDMI cable! My relative’s joy knew no bounds.
Finally, install the sound card on the bottom of the system unit using double-sided tape:


We elegantly roll the USB cable into a small cove and hide it in the depths of the system unit; we bring out the necessary minimum for connection into a free USB connector.
I also listened to the sound through headphones - it was quite loud - probably the card can drive small speakers. In terms of sound quality, it’s not very different from the built-in mainland sound system.
There was nothing to check TOSLINK with, at least the LED was glowing, it probably worked.
The volume control and mute buttons also work, and the sound is also controlled in the operating system. We close the system unit and hand over the work done to a happy relative. And then we go to the nearest pub and celebrate the successful completion of this business. :)

• Let's say the speakers have 2 RCA inputs (tulips), then connection using a Mini jack audio cable(3.5 mm jack) to 2 RCA. Mini jack connects to the sound card (green output) if you want to use them as front speakers or as a stereo pair. Or using an audio cable 2 RCA - 2 RCA and a mini jack adapter to 2 RCA inputs.

• There are 2 terminals on the columns. In this case, a cable from any headphones with a mini Jack 3.5 mm will suit you. Cut off the speakers and carefully strip the wire. Connect the stripped ends to the terminals, and the mini Jack plug to the sound card.
• Buy an inexpensive stereo amplifier, especially if you want to use speakers from a formerly decent music center, it will be worth the cost.

P.S. Special sound volume such way to connect speakers to a computer you can’t achieve it, the output power will be several watts, since passive speakers require an amplifier, but at least save your speakers from the fate of ending up in the trash.

How to connect 5.1 speakers to a computer (active acoustics)

Connecting an active speaker system for a PC is a fairly simple task, so I won’t go into this topic, but many people still have questions.

You need to figure out how many outputs or sockets your computer’s sound card has. As a rule, modern built-in sound cards allow you to use 7.1 acoustics (marked with colored sockets on the motherboard).

Green output - front (front) speakers

Orange output - center channel and subwoofer

Black output - rear (rear) speakers

Gray output - side speakers (surround speakers)

Blue - line input (electric-acoustic guitar, player, etc.)

Pink - microphone.

Depending on this, you will be able to connect the speakers to your computer. If you decide to connect 5.1 speakers, then several sockets will be used (green, orange, black). Connect the cable with the green plug to the audio output connector (green) on the rear panel of the system unit, etc. Connect the cables to the appropriate connectors (focus on the colors) on the sound card control module; when you connect the cable to the sound card, the program will show which type of speaker serves a specific socket. As a result, all 3 above-mentioned connectors on the module must be used. The speakers and subwoofer are connected with an RCA - RCA cable (tulip - tulip), one end of the cable into the subwoofer (since it most often contains an amplifier), and the other end to the corresponding speaker. On the subwoofer, each RCA output is labeled according to the type of speaker, so you can't go wrong.

Set up your computer by selecting 6-channel mode in the sound card driver application and in the Windows Sound Control Panel. If you have a 7.1 speaker system, then you will have to additionally use the gray connector on the motherboard for the side speakers. As a last resort, use the instructions for the motherboard, especially when connecting the headphone and microphone jacks on the front panel of the system unit of your PC.

Connecting speakers to a computer via S/PDIF (digital output)

When connecting 5.1 speakers via SPDIF, you will need an SPDIF cable (optical or coaxial).

The inputs and outputs of coaxial SPDIF are made on RCA type connectors. The digital signal is transmitted via a regular cable with appropriate connectors. In coaxial SPDIF, data is transmitted in the form of electrical pulses over ordinary wires, which are subject to all kinds of interference. In the receiving device, all these noises are filtered out, but the possibility of losing some data is still present.

Optical SPDIF uses an optical cable to transmit data. Its inputs and outputs are made on Toslink type connectors, which are closed with plugs, by which it is very easy to recognize this type of interface. Also in Creative and other sound cards there is an optical interface that uses a mini Toslink cable. An optical cable does not react at all to magnetic fields, since data is transmitted in the form of light pulses. Therefore, it is believed that the optical digital data transmission interface is much better protected from external influences than the coaxial one. Satellite receivers use the optical type of the SPDIF interface.

The type of connection will depend on what type of interface for connecting external signal sources is available on the amplifier housing of your speaker system. You simply connect the cable to the digital output of your motherboard and connect it to the corresponding digital input connector on the speaker system (amplifier or subwoofer of the speaker system with built-in amplifier). It is necessary to change the signal output port in the audio card interface from analog to digital (unless, of course, the driver itself determines the connection to the digital output). The connection diagram for the speakers itself remains the same as described above. Games output sound directly without various compressions, so you still won’t be able to get more stereo sound from the game via S/PDIF. To correct this drawback, you must have a sound card that supports Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect. These technologies allow multi-channel audio from a 5.1 or 7.1 game to be encoded on the fly into Dolby Digital or DTS and transmitted directly via S/PDIF. In practice, when one of these technologies is enabled, all audio played on the analog outputs will be re-encoded and sent to digital S/PDIF , however, often in order for the sound to be played on the analog output, you will have to set the analog outputs of the sound card as the default device in the Windows sound settings panel, and for many applications simply select analog outputs manually. For example, in normal mode, in the sound settings panel in Windows, selected S/PDIF as default device. The music player also lists S/PDIF. Now, to get 5.1 sound from any source you should:

• select one of the 5.1 audio encoding technologies Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect in the sound card settings;
• in the Windows sound settings panel, select the analog outputs of the sound card as the main device;

User Misconceptions:

Misconception #1. When you are finished playing you should switch everything back for correct operation. If you keep one of the on-the-fly encoding technologies always on, you will not be able to view and listen to files with multi-channel audio, since they are already encoded and require output directly to S/PDIF.

Solution: you don’t need to switch anything, watch a movie in stereo - it’s laid out at 5.1, watch a video with a DTS or Dolby track - the sound is perfectly laid out across channels. This can be seen even on a player that can switch audio tracks, for example, The KMPlayer.

Misconception #2. On-the-fly encoding of stereo sound from an mp3 file using Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect will be several times inferior to hardware decomposition of such sound on speakers or a receiver.

Solution: If acoustics of similar quality are connected to the receiver, the difference will not be so significant. The main thing in the settings of THX Studio Pro (or a similar “improver” of the sound card) is not to forget to disable the options that create various effects: for example, it makes the voice stand out from the general sound background. Much depends on the sound card; Creative Titanium HD copes with this with a bang.

How to connect speakers to a TV (active)

1. Through 2 RCA-RCA cables (tulip - tulip), one ends are in the L and R outputs, the other in the speakers, if the speakers have RCA inputs on the rear panel.
2. If only a cable with a mini Jack at the end comes from the speakers, then connect it to the headphone jack on your TV.
3. If you are going to connect a full music center, then using RCA-RCA cables to the L and R outputs of the TV, set the AUX mode on the music center and connect the RCA cable to the AUX input on the back panel of your center. If your TV has a sound output in the form of a mini Jack jack (black, as a rule), then you will need a mini Jack to 2 RCA adapter cable.

Just a few years ago, we could hear high-quality and surround sound in cinemas or at concerts. In private, stereos and powerful tape recorders were used. They were loud, of course, but the sound came from two speakers. Nowadays, you can enjoy excellent sound and picture using home theaters equipped with various sound systems, which in turn need to be connected and configured correctly and with understanding.

Connecting audio equipment to your home theater

In order to connect all the speakers to your home theater, you don’t need to be a pro in this matter. Just follow these instructions. A properly connected sound system will delight you with surround and high-quality sound.

To connect you will need:

• Receiver;
• Columns;
• Cables for connection.

No matter what system you have, the first point of connection will be sound. A standard set of various sound systems is the presence of several speakers (front, rear, center) and a subwoofer. The methods for attaching wires to the contacts vary, but their connection diagram is the same for all.

Front speakers, since they are the main sources of sound, are usually placed close to or near the TV, and their backs are directed towards the wall. The sockets on the receiver for connecting front speakers are marked (Front).

The cable for these speakers is divided at the ends into two multi-colored wires (usually black and red), where red is positive and black is negative. Connecting they are either clamped or threaded contact connections.

If after connection there is no sound from the speakers, then the positive and negative contacts are reversed.

The central speaker (if there is one) is also responsible for the main sound. It is located directly next to the TV. The height of the location depends on your taste. It is connected to the home theater in the same way as the front one and is marked on the receiver body (Center).

Next, the rear speakers are connected in the same way. They are placed opposite the front ones, thereby achieving unique surround sound. Marked (Surround). And then a subwoofer is connected, which saturates the sound with low frequencies. Labeled (Subwoofer).

How to connect a home theater to a TV: instructions

The way a home theater works is that the processed signal from the source is sent through the receiver to the speakers and to the TV screen. To transmit images through a home theater, there are several connection methods.

Connection types:

• HDMI cable;
• RGB cable;
• Composite connector.

In order to display a high-quality picture on the TV screen, use the method using an HDMI cable, which usually comes with cables for connecting a home theater. It is simply not possible to confuse the correct connection, which makes the task easier. The cable plugs resemble the charging plug (USB), only slightly larger. To connect, find the inscription (HDMI OUT) on the receiver, and (HDMI IN) on the TV.

The peculiarity of the HDMI cable is that it is capable of transmitting not only a picture, but also sound.

It may be that your TV is missing a connector or is already occupied by another cable. In this case, you can use an RGB cable. Unlike the previous one, this cable is capable of transmitting only images. This cable consists of three wires connected together with tips of three colors (red, green, blue). It is connected to the connectors marked (Component Video Out) and (Component In), according to the colors of the connectors.

It is also possible to connect using a composite cable. Connection is made through composite connectors marked (Composite Video Out) and (Composite In). Unlike other connection methods, this one displays a picture of not very high quality.

Methods: how to connect a laptop or computer to a home theater

Nowadays, more and more people use TV as “furniture”. With the development of Internet technology, it became possible to listen to music and watch movies on a computer. And to enjoy high quality picture and sound, you can connect your computer to your home theater.

Connection methods:

• Using cables;
• Via an external sound card.

To ensure the transfer of surround sound from a laptop to a home theater, you need an HDMI cable. It makes it possible to transmit both picture and sound. To do this, you need to connect the cable connector to the GDMI output on the laptop, and the second directly to the cinema (receiver). After this, the sound and picture should be reproduced through the cinema.

If this does not happen, you should configure the playback device on the computer itself. To do this, go to the control panel and select the Sound tab. Next, the playback tab opens. Select a device that supports HDMI, right-click on it and select “use default device.” Then click on “settings” and select the appropriate system for playback (5.1 or 7.1). The setup is complete and the sound should disappear from the laptop speakers.

If the connection is made through a computer video card with a DVI to HDMI adapter, then the sound will need to be supplied to the receiver manually. To do this, use an SPDIF cable to connect the motherboard or sound adapter to the video card.

Important to know! The integrity of the cable directly depends on the correct connection. The cords must be connected according to the markings.

If your laptop does not have an HDMI connector, you can use a simple solution in the form of an external sound card. To connect it, no special skills or knowledge are required, as well as some types of special installation programs. These devices allow you to connect not only receivers, but also microphones and headphones.

You can also use your phone to control the system.

Optical cable intended for TV or home theater

Modern technologies make it possible to use optical cables not only for industry; they are often used for high-speed and high-quality transmission of various types of signals. They have also found application for connecting televisions and home theaters.

The optical cable is intended:

• Internet connection;
• Transmission of sound and image.

Using optical cables, you can connect 5.1 sound systems to the TV, as well as the Internet. An important condition when connecting various systems is the correct selection of cable, which will allow for a reliable connection and long-term operation.

A TOSLINK cable is a common cable for connecting audio systems, as it supports many formats. But to transmit video to TV screens, cables with markings (EIAJ / JEITA RC-5720) are used. TOSLINK cables are used by such well-known manufacturing companies as LG (LG), Samsung (Samsung) and Genius.

But they have some disadvantages. These cables may transmit noise, cause picture jitter, or interrupt communication. These models have high resistance.

Important to know! To transmit the highest quality image and sound, it is recommended to use cables no longer than 4 meters long.

But the main difference from other types is that fiber optic cables have a very high throughput. And their correct use will allow you to achieve good results.

How to connect sound and TV (video)

As you can see, connecting various audio systems and home theaters, as well as their individual parts, does not require specialized knowledge and skills. You can easily handle this yourself. And don’t forget that when purchasing a home theater, detailed instructions are always included.

Today I will teach you how to connect 5.1 audio systems to devices without multi-channel audio support. Anyone.

So, let's imagine a situation: you already have a good multi-channel audio system. We emphasize - analog, classic connectors are used as inputs RCA (tulip). At the same time, as a result of upgrading device gadgets with suitable interfaces, the system cannot be used.

How to connect such 5.1-channel speakers to devices with HDMI/Toslink digital outputs, the popular USB, or use a stereo output? Or, how to convert multi-channel digital audio signal to multi-channel analog?

Real and “virtual” multi-channel audio

A true multi-channel audio track puts voice into the center channel and effects and music into the rear and front speakers. Or - in accordance with the distribution during recording (in some multi-channel audio standards).

“Virtual” multi-channel audio is distributed according to the spectral characteristics of the reproduced sound. Software and hardware parse the signal into components according to predetermined algorithms, and distribute sounds around the listening point, creating surround sound.

Method 1. We spare no expense on high-quality sound

The easiest way is to buy a multi-channel receiver to suit your preferences and needs. The simplest, most effective. And the most omnivorous.

The purchase will give you a variety of input/output interfaces for video and audio signals, be able to independently decode files, and become the center of your home entertainment system. You can always choose a model with the required number of suitable inputs - and RCA in receivers is the most alive.


Modern receivers support improved sound distribution algorithms, including Dolby Atmos, which can distribute any number of tracks to any number of speakers, taking into account the acoustic properties of the room.

The disadvantage of the solution is the cost. It starts from 10 thousand rubles for a used one and from 30 thousand for a receiver with Dolby Atmos support.

In addition, the receivers have impressive dimensions. It's good if the place and interior allow it. What if not?

Method 2. (Digital) Optical -> Multichannel Analog

This is why this article was started. I often get asked questions like: “How do I connect my home theater to my new TV? It doesn't have analog audio outputs!

Mine only has a two-channel mini-jack and optical Toslink. For the time being before purchasing new acoustics, I connected the old 5.1 set using this Chinese converter.


Hidden inside the device is a rather primitive digital-to-analog converter and DSP processor- a chip responsible for mixing, equalizing and effects.

The application is very simple - we connect an acoustic system to the analog RCA outputs, on the other hand we supply an audio signal through a coaxial or optical connector and external power from the included power supply.


If the signal corresponds to the number of connected acoustic channels, it passes without mixing and processing. As it is.

That is, if the film 5.1 channel audio track, and we use the appropriate audio system - the sound quality will be the same as the original.

If a two-channel track is fed to it, then the signal is converted using “virtual” mixing in the processor and distributed to all speakers.

Of course, this is very different from real 5.1-channel sound, but still, it sounds nicer than regular stereo. Unless, of course, we are talking about films.

This way you can connect speakers to other devices- for example, through the usual headphone output of a laptop, tablet or player.


But the output will only be virtual 5.1-channel sound, even if the original track is multi-channel. You won't be able to get anything else out of the stereo jack.

If necessary, the converter allows you to reproduce any incoming audio signal into two channels. Convenient for standard music systems systems 2.1, as well as in cases where the DSP converter plays the track incorrectly.

Method 3. HDMI -> Multichannel Analog

The option using HDMI is more promising, since this interface is used much more often in modern gadgets.

To transmit a multi-channel audio track, the connector in the audio source must support the HDMI Arc protocol. Otherwise, the usual stereo signal will be broadcast, which will be converted into “virtual” 5.1 by software.

If HDMI supports this function, you can purchase such a converter. This box also supports pass-through transmission of a composite signal: by connecting a source via HDMI, you can separately output sound to an audio system via coaxial, optical or analog connectors, while running the video on a projector or TV.

Method 4. USB -> Multichannel Analog

Most of the Chinese “multi-channel USB audio cards” offered on the Internet are rather primitive dupes that produce processed stereo. You won't be able to save money.

Another thing is external audio cards. Some of them are capable of producing multi-channel audio and are suitable for connecting to tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.


Unfortunately, even Smart TV, not to mention most devices with proprietary firmware (receivers, media players) will not be able to recognize it as an audio device. Therefore, Creative Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1, Creative X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro or ST Lab M-330 USB are suitable only as computer accessories, or in the case of separate broadcasting of audio and video from a computer. And this is a completely different story.

“Chinese box” or full-fledged receiver?

In fact, the choice is ambiguous. If you need to connect several devices into a single system, the choice is obvious.

Modern home television equipment has advanced functionality, HD technologies, but is often equipped with primitive speakers, preventing you from enjoying all the sound effects. For ordinary viewing, this set is quite enough, but to feel the beauty of surround sound, you need to additionally connect speakers to a TV, preferably of the highest class. How to properly connect the acoustics will be discussed below.

First you need to find out what inputs are on the TV in order to make a high-quality audio connection. Modern models use the following types of audio and TV connectors to connect various speakers:

• special connectors (Scart, RCA);
• line output;
• jack for headset or headphones;
• digital HDMI port.

In the first option, computer speakers that do not have a built-in amplifier are connected - you just need to select acoustics of such power that would not exceed the permissible limit. The second and third options are used when the product no longer has any special connectors: this is how speakers with a built-in amplifier are connected to the TV. Last option (HDMI) is used to connect more “advanced” devices - for example, those that produce very high-quality sound. All newer models have this output.

Types of acoustics

In this section, we will look at existing speaker options, as well as how to connect a speaker system to a TV.

Simple columns

Such products can provide the user with decent sound only if presence of an amplifier and a volume control system. They must be connected to a separate outlet, and to the TV directly using a 3.5 mm TRS connector.

Multimedia center

This type of acoustics provides you with better quality sound. carried out through adapters type of bells or TRS. They are sold in any industrial store specializing in spare parts for household appliances. Use the AUT output on the TV, and the IN input on the music center and enjoy high-quality sound.

Composite stereo system

This option is distinguished by the best quality of transmission of all the nuances of the sound range, which is why experts call it the most advanced of all modern stereo systems. It contains a professional receiver and a fairly powerful amplifier, so the sound coming out of the speakers is of particular purity and colossal volume. If you are wondering how to connect home theater speakers to a Samsung, LG or other TV - give preference to HDMI, because in this case we have the highest quality sound at the output.

Types of cables used

Different types of speaker systems can be connected to a TV with the obligatory ability to regulate the quality of the sound, which directly depends on the correct combination of the output on the TV and the input on the amplifier. If they do not match, then you need to use special receiver, and this is an additional cash investment. Different speakers are connected using different inputs, so it is necessary to determine which type of cable to connect in each specific case.

How to output sound from a TV receiver to acoustics?

If you used the cable that was recommended, but the sound level does not satisfy you, you will need to buy a separate receiver - all problems will be solved.