Sound card for sagetv client recommend please?

[silkshadow]

Well, I was working on putting together my HTPC over the weekend, when I discovered that theres a SageTV client program. Man, thats cool. Anyway, I have another box that I've been using for a code testing box and I think I'll set that up as a a SgeTV client to see if its worth purchasing. However, its only got the onboard sound which is pretty lousy.

So I am wondering if anyone can recommend a cheap-as-dirt type sound card that has spdif out and is compatible with Sagetv client? I notice that my audigy platinum (which is in the HTPC) has a spdif out jack on the actual card (its got normal spdif outputs on the live drive) but its one of those tiny headphone jacks. Can this jack be converted into something I can plug into a reciever's spdif jack? If so, than even a card with that kind of spdif out could work fine. Thanks for any guidance!

[mls]

If the on-board sound has SP/DIF out, why not just use that since it's digital even though the analog out might sound poor?

As for the Audigy SP/DIF output jack, check the setup instructions or manual for the types of cables needed to connect it's SP/DIF digital out to the digital inputs of other devices.

Personally, I think if you only want digital out, the Audigy is over kill if you want something cheap. Don't get my wrong, I love my Audigy 2Z with analog out to my surround speakers here, but if you only want digital out... since it is digital I doubt if there's much difference there between anything on-board or a seperate sound card. I could be wrong, but digital should be digital and not have any alteration in audio quality no matter which device you use to output it. What's on the other end, of course, will make a difference as to how well the digital is converted back to analog audio.

[silkshadow]

Thanks MLS! Unfortunately, the on board sound has no digital out. Sometimes mobo makers offer a digital header one can buy to add that fuctionality but no, ECS does not. :cry: No, the audigy is for the actual HTPC. For that one I have spdif coaxial in and out and optical out and in and RCA out and so on . I am just looking for a cheap sound card with spdif out for the client box. You are definately right, I have no need of the audigy for this box.

So, you're saying I can use the headphone jack-type spdif and somehow convert that into coaxial spdif? Will a normal stereo 1/8" minidin to RCA converter work? Beause I saw a generic sound card a week ago that had a headphone-connector spdif out. I might just get that if I can connect it to my reciever.

[mls]

I don't know how those SD/DIF cables are actually wired (since I've never used on). I do remember seeing in the Audigy docs they list one from Creative though to got that way. Dont' know if the cables for one card are the same for another. You'd probably have to check with someone at a computer shop (or maybe even Radio Shack).

I would think it shouldn't be to hard to find the correct type of cable though. Let us know what you find out (in case I ever do decide to use SP/DIF out here I'd need to know myself).

[g808]

Try this card. It's unbelievable for $25. Even comes with an optical cable.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...120-103&depa=0

[silkshadow]

WOW! Thanks, thats perfect! Thanks g808!

[mls]

That card looks somewhat similar to an SB Live!, who's price has dropped considerably also after the Audigy series came out.