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Posted by: sted Nov 8 2009, 03:40 PM

Im thinking of changing a few things around with my computer set up to make it a bit more integrated into my home. Basically I have a 42" plasma that im loking to connect up to my PC for use in the living room, no real problems there but I also want to use my fostex monitors as the sound for the TV, PV and Xbox. the list below are some of my concerns, if anyone can give me some input I would be very greatful!

1. Are TV's suitable for PC use and will i get good quality?
2. The monitors are connected to my PC via an external sound card (UX2), can the TV sound be directed to the monitors too?
3. What are some good wireless human interface devices?

Any other bits of info or suggestions welcomed!

Posted by: skennington Nov 8 2009, 04:14 PM

Hey Sted, have you ever considered installing a tv tuner in your computer? Mine has one which gives you a coax jack right in the back of the board. You could hook your cable/satellite right up and use your TV as the monitor. UX2 can be used as sound card with monitors supplying the sound.

Xbox could be connected to TV through HDMI/component imput.

Posted by: Marc_Maiden Nov 9 2009, 10:10 PM

hey sted! you are in luck....i just finished a "all in one" home theater system like the one you are trying to make.


Right now here is what I have:

Sony surround sound 5.1 hi-def audio (hi def audio is audio connected through an optical audio cable)
Xbox 360
Computer
everything connected to each other, everything going to my Vizio 42 inch HDLCDTV.



to get both HD picture and HD sound on the xbox, you will have to do a little modding to the cable that has the colored vga inputs. what i did was i used a flat head to pop off the plastic cover of the cable that connects to the xbox (dont worry nothing will get ruined) i did this so that i didnt have to buy microsofts hdmi cable which is $50 (its made to fit with both but others will not fit ) i used a regular hdmi cable to go from the xbox to the TV, and the optical output from the vga cable input to go to my surround sounds input.

link for doing the mod i just mentioned:http://www.haxnetwork.net/showthread.php?p=85709 (ignore the other mod they are showing, scroll down)


I bought a new computer just for my TV. these computers are very cheap, and low powered (enough power to run toneport and record simple stuff like collabs) and come with the nvidia ION chip set. the ION allows for these little computers to run full 1080P HD and are capable of playing blue ray quality movies. We are awaiting a flash update to allow smoother youtube and hulu play, but until then, you must be patient like me. The computer somes with 2 gigs of ram, dual core atom processor, and the ion chipset. will cost from $200 - $300 depending on the fetures you choose.

if you want to use your existing computer, there are 3 options: if your computer has HMDI out, use that. you will get the best picture quality. if your computer has a DVI out, you can get a cable that converts DVI out to HDMI - 2nd best quality. last option would be to use a VGA cable and connect to the TV (3rd best quality)


as for surround sound, most computers have an optical out, you can use that, or use the aux out from your computer (which may have more than 1 for surround sound )

i just read you are looking to connect everything to your toneport....well thats a toughie because xbox/TVs dont have the right out puts to go into the toneport...you might be able to find converters of some sort..but im not sure exactly what you would need
hope that helps

Posted by: jafomatic Nov 9 2009, 10:22 PM

Your TV should attempt to send all of its audio through the TV's audio out. Your UX2 has nice stereo "monitor in" which will pass the TV's output right through it; the tv in turn will pass the audio that anything else sends to it via component, rca, hdmi, etc.

So the good/easy news:

1. use UX2 as the pc's soundcard. Do NOT send pc's audio to TV at all, it'll come from UX2
2. use UX2 monitor in (adapt if needed) as destination for TV's left/right audio OUT
3. Fostex monitors in the monitor out jack (phones) or the output jacks (not phones) of the UX2

That's it. Three steps. Maybe four steps if you need an adapter or maybe a short bit of rca cable from "Ye Olde Radio Shacke."

EDIT: Just in case this seems too simple to be true, I have to point out that it works with my UX2 and standard "recent but not super new" TV out in the living room. I tested it.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Nov 10 2009, 02:25 AM

42" plasma, are you kiddin mate?? JK, it will work no problem, if it has the right connectors. Make sure you use HDMI to connect these two and adjust the output resolution of your PC GPU to match the one on the TV and you shouldn't have any issues. The better GPU, the better will the picture be.


I think so. Connect TV outs into UX2 monitoring inputs and adjust the volume level.


You mean like a remote? Logitech Harmony series are cool:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/&cl=us,en&filter=398&sort=s1

Posted by: sted Nov 10 2009, 11:27 AM

blimey! thats a lot of info! Thanks a lot guys, i really appreciate it!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Nov 10 2009, 11:28 PM

Hope it helped!