What Kind of Converter and computer cords do I need?

Question

I am trying to convert my computer speakers to household speakers so I can play all my music on my media player and have nonstop music allday

Answer 1

You will need a balanced 3.5mm (1/8") to 2 phono (RCA) cable.  Depending on the distance between your computer and your stereo, you may need an extension cable (phono is the easiest to find).  You can hook your computer up to the stereo on any input except for phono (phono inputs have a pre-amp and will distort the sound).  Disconnect your computer speakers and plug this cable in where those were plugged in.  If you want to keep both hooked up, you can use a 3.5mm "Y" adapter, which provides 2 outputs from 1.

Start out with your computer on a medium volume level, and then adjust it so that the volume level from your computer is the same as the radio or cd player.  That way you won't get drastic volume changes when you switch between sources.

Answer 2

If you have a normal home theater or stereo system, you can easily connect your computer to that, and then just use your computer's media player (ITunes, Windows Media Player, etc.) to just play normally.  To do this, you'll need to get an RCA plug to mini-jack plug adapter for your stereo. These are available at any electronics store for just a few bucks.  Next you'll need a long headphone extension cable - the type with computer mini-jack connectors on it.  This too can be found at any electronics store for just a few bucks.

Now simply plug the RCA converter cable to your stereo system.  Make a note of which input you used.  On my stereo, I used the "CD" input, so I can find it easily with my remote.  Now connect the extension cable to your computer's headphone/speaker jack and connect it to the other side of the converter cable.  Now just turn on your stereo, and set it to the input you used above (e.g. "CD" on my system) and now all sounds from my computer now come out of my stereo speakers.  

Fire up your media player, set it on "random" and point it at the library of music on your computer, and that's all there is to it.

You may need to adjust the volume control on the PC a bit, but for the most part, you've just turned your PC into a "home theater audio streamer" for under $10.

Works with laptops too, which allows you to network with your PC where all your music may live - but that's for another question....