HDTV through PC monitor?

Question

I have a Dell PC with a built in TVtuner and an HD compatible monitor. Everything works great. I've got 5.1 sound and the 22" monitor I can watch TV and DVDs on my PC just fine.

I wanted to get full HD to the monitor (since it supports 1080i), so I tried using a Comcast Digital HD cable box. The picture looks great but I can't figure out the audio. I have the video going direct from the Comcast box to the monitor using an HDMI cable, but I get no audio signal.

I assume I need to go from the cable box to the sound card in the PC to get the audio out to the speakers hooked up to the PC. All I've got on the cable box is a digital audio slot and analog (RCA JACKS) audio out. On the PC I've got line in on the sound card and that's it. When I tried that I got nothing.

How do I get the audio signal from the cable box into the PC.

Answer 1

There is no way to access the audio from the HDMI (even assuming it's provided by the cable box --- it sometimes isn't added to the HDMI). You need to use the digital coax and bypass the sound card (if your speakers console has a suitable input (My Z680 Logitechs have a control console that accepts 3x3.5 mini stereo plugs from my sound card, or a digital coax input), you can plug in there and use the console to select inputs) to get surround.

If you can't use the digital output recognize that without a surround sound capable connection you won't get more than stereo from the cable box.

That said, if you have a mini stereo plug input on the sound card, you can simply use an adapter cable -- dual RCA (stereo, male) to 3.5" mini stereo male plug and connect the cable box analog stereo out to the sound card in. Then use the mixer control to ensure the signal gets to the speakers. You can probably select a pseudo surround effect (matrix if you have a prologic decoder) or 4 channel surround if not.

Happy listening.

Answer 2

I think your going to need something like this which is what I use but for a slightly different setup.

http://electronics.pricegrabber.com/audi...

This will allow you to plug in your cable box audio out to your computer converting the RCA to a 1/8" mini plug (headphone).  Your cable box should output audio throught the red and white audio out while the HDMI is connected, mine does allowing me to have great picture while using my HDMI absent surround sound system for great sound.

Hope this help as I see you posted this more then once