HTPC do TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio

Since TotalMedia Theatre 3 Platinum can decode TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio, does this mean that I can connect HTPC to receiver that CANNOT decode TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio, but still can hear TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio?

What cable should I use?

Thanks for your comment.

HDMI cable

1) So, do you mean I can buy a normal receiver WITHOUT TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio decoder?

2) My HTPC is using Nvidia 9600GT (DVI output) + sound card build into motherboard with 3.5mm jack. What is the cheapest hardware should I buy to enable video and sound via HDMI? I need to hear TrueHD and DTS HD MA sound.

Thanks

you will need a new soundcard

any spec for the sound card?

Just prepare RM600 for "that" soundcard.

pls kindly let me know the cheapest sound card spec. I know Asus Sonar is expensive, can do bitstream, but my case is to decode using TotalMedia Theatre 3 Platinum software. I assume i do not need Asus Sonar. what sound card spec do i need?

Tankteam, I think u got it all wrong.
TotalMedia Theater 3 Platinum requires an Asus Sonar card to bitstream HD audio to an AVR that is capable of decoding HD audio codes (DTS-HD MA, Dolby TruHD).

So to answer your question "does this mean that I can connect HTPC to receiver that CANNOT decode TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio, but still can hear TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio?" the answer is NO.

You will need an AVR that is capable of decoding the HD codecs. I think the cheapest one u can find might be the Yamaha RX-V465.

Having said the above, the days of buying an Asus Sonar card to bitstream HD audio may be over. The new Radeon cards 5600, 5700, and 5800 series can now bitstream audio over HDMI. More information here :
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1179134

Happy reading.

This post has been edited by welwitchia: Oct 22 2009, 07:17 PM

make sure you got the right software.... 5XXX with HD passthro probably works with the latest cyberlink only...

1) With ATI Radeon HD 5xxx graphic card how do i plug the sound into this card? My PC do not have any SPIF, just a normal 3.5mm jack build into the motherboard.

2) With this graphic card, does it mean I can buy and receiver without upscaling feature such as ONKYO TX-SR507? I assuame the graphic card can do a lot of things such as upscaling and upconversion to have better video quality from DVD.

3) I heard that I cannot run a single HDMI cable into the ONKYO TX-SR507. I need to use HDMI + Composite + Component cables together. Is that true? What alternative receiver do I have to get 1 HDMI into receiver and 1 HDMI out to projector? I would prefer Onkyo or Denon. Sony STR-DH800 is awarded Best Home Cinema Amplifier 2009 from What-Hifi, can this receiver do what I want?

Thx.

1) The ATI Radeon has a HDMI output which carries both audio and video to your onkyo.
2) Most DVD playback software (e.g PowerDVD, WinDVD) will have upscaling features.
3) Yes u can. The onkyo 507 has 4 HDMI inputs.. so whoever that's telling u that u need "HDMI+Composite+Component" doesn't know what he's talking about.

Thx,
Do I need to connect any audio cable from motherboard to the ATI Radeon 5xxx graphic card in order to get audio output via the card's HDMI?

nope, the Video card has a audio builtin!

Thank you for all of your comments and suggestion. I know what I need now.

Hardware
HTPC with ATI Radeon 5xxx graphic card (This card has audio built-in)
BlueRay drive inside HTPC
Receiver with TrueHD and DTS HD MA decoding feature
5.1 speakers
Projector - Optoma HD65 (720p), cannot afford Optoma HD20 (1080p)

Connection
HDMI from HTPC to receiver, then another HDMI from receiver to projector

Questions
With low budget in mind. 80% movies, 20% music. Living room size 24' x 22'.
1) Please suggest receiver that meet my requirements. Prefer Onkyo and Denon
2) I need room shaking effect for movies, but with limited budget. If I buy more expensive subwoofer, but small satellite speakers, is the performance good?
3) What is the minimum subwoofer spec should I get for room shaking effect? Example: 30Hz, 100Watt etc.

Thx.

---

Added on November 16, 2009, 11:04 amfinally bought Harman Kardon 355 receiver and Klipsch Synergy F1 5.1 speakers with Sub 12 subwoofer.

Now i want to wait for cheaper ATI Radeon 5670 which will be released Q1 2010. in the mean time, i plan to connect my PC audio to receiver using 3.5mm jack. How do i do this? Do I need 3 units of 3.5mm jack and connect them to receiver directly?



This post has been edited by tankteam: Nov 16 2009, 11:04 AM