Is it possible to connect my PC speakers directly to my HDTV?

Question

I have a powered sub woofer that used to run 2 3.5mm (i think thats the size) to my PC's audio card, one was front and the other rear.

I would like to connect this to my HD Television, which currently has two digital audio outputs, Coaxial, and Optical.

I want to get a cord/cable that will send out either Coaxial or Optical audio, and then split it into two 3.5mm male audio jacks.

I truly don't care about amazing clarity, or awesome quality, I just want it to work.

I've looked for splitters, adapters, and have thus far come up short. Things have come close (as far as I can tell), but nothing has made me feel like it's a perfect match.

I don't want to order something, wait several days for it to show up, and then become disappointed.

Please, help me.

Answer 1

Digital coax and optical won't work since they are ... uh ...digital. Your speakers accept an analog signal, so you must connect to an analog output on the TV.

If there is an optical or digital coax output there will also be a pair of RCA analog outputs for stereo. You can get a Dual RCA male to 3.5 mm mini-stereo (female) jack adapter and it will allow the speakers to work (but only in stereo) -- Link 1. If you also get a 3.5 mm mini-stereo plug to dual 3.5 mm mini-stereo jack "Y adapter" (Link 2) you can split the signal into the 4 speakers and get dual stereo.

Answer 2

S/PDIF is used in HDTVs to send digital audio to an AV receiver. So, this whole concept of s/pdif to 3.5 mm is not going to work; since the signal is digital and you need a decoder.

If your TV has analog audio out, then use an RCA to 3.5 mm cable to send analog audio to your powered subwoofer.

Best of all, invest in a cheap AV receiver.

Answer 3

There are many many different ways you could convert your wires so that you can hook it up. Call your local radio shack and ask for the necessary converters.