HTPC sound

[Michael Chiu]

I am building a HTPC, and I am starting to think that I should have
planned ahead better. It's a microATX mobo, so it's only got 2 PCI slots,
and now I'm wondering if I'll need more.

So far, my Winfast TV IN card is using one of the PCI slots. I'll be
getting an AGP video card for the TV OUT, so that saves my last PCI slot.
I was originally going to have a PCI wifi card there so that I could pull
tv schedules off the internet for my PVR. However, that takes the last PCI
slot.

Now, I am wondering what my solution will be for sound. I didn't think
much about the built in sound of my Soyo K7VME mobo, and it doesn't have
digital sound. If I am trying to make my current standalone dvd player
obselete, then I need an audio solution that is comparable.

I am now thinking that I'll either need an external wifi or sound
solution. Are there any low cost USB sound things?

OR, would it be cheaper or at least smarter to find a beefier mobo
(mini/micro ATX) that has digital sound? I've seen a Biostar and Abit mobo
with 3 PCI slots and S/PDIF for low $50's. The Biostar even has Firewire
which may come in handy at some later point since I do have a miniDV video
camera.

I'd prefer the budget solution, but any suggestions are appreciated. I may
just deal with the puny line-out of my box until I move.


Thanks,
Mike

 

[Gary Tait]

I am building a HTPC, and I am starting to think that I should have
planned ahead better. It's a microATX mobo, so it's only got 2 PCI slots,
and now I'm wondering if I'll need more.

So far, my Winfast TV IN card is using one of the PCI slots. I'll be
getting an AGP video card for the TV OUT, so that saves my last PCI slot.
I was originally going to have a PCI wifi card there so that I could pull
tv schedules off the internet for my PVR. However, that takes the last PCI
slot.

Now, I am wondering what my solution will be for sound. I didn't think
much about the built in sound of my Soyo K7VME mobo, and it doesn't have
digital sound. If I am trying to make my current standalone dvd player
obselete, then I need an audio solution that is comparable.

I am now thinking that I'll either need an external wifi or sound
solution. Are there any low cost USB sound things?

OR, would it be cheaper or at least smarter to find a beefier mobo
(mini/micro ATX) that has digital sound? I've seen a Biostar and Abit mobo
with 3 PCI slots and S/PDIF for low $50's. The Biostar even has Firewire
which may come in handy at some later point since I do have a miniDV video
camera.

I'd prefer the budget solution, but any suggestions are appreciated. I may
just deal with the puny line-out of my box until I move.


Thanks,
Mike

You could get a USB W-fi adaptor, and leave the audio PCI.