Can I run xxHighEnd for a 7.1 Home Theater system?

[NYCMachine]

  Hi,
   I'm a novice, so forgive me for asking this question, if the answer is obvious.
I'm building a computer based surround system, for Home Theater.
It will be digital from start to finish and kinda on the low budget side.
My laptop is the HP dv6t 2150-us, with no added sound card.
I'm looking at the Onkyo HT-S9100THX, home theater in a box.
This will get me up and running.
Can I use the xxHighEnd software?
Any design ideas or guidance are welcome.
Advice/Suggestions too!

[PeterSt]

Oh yes, you will. But not for producing the sound at playing a movie, might that be what you wanted to know ...

Btw, I did not judge the merits of your sound card, but I assume you did that yourself (24/192 would be the best).

Be very careful though that your laptop is powerful enough. This also depends on the sound card and how much processing power it will bring to its GPU, but notice that this also depends on the type of movie (h.264 etc.) and the software you use to play the movie.
This is not all *that* simple, but personally I wouldn't start off with a laptop just to avoid the risk. If you have it, you can try it of course ...

If this is not exactly what you wanted to know, pleasy say so !
Peter

[NYCMachine]

Thanks for the reply!
Yes, I agree. If I were to build an Audiophile quality, 7.1 Theater system,
it is best to start with a PC, for many reasons.  (Power/Video Cards etc.)
I will keep that a separate project.
But now I have the Laptop, and I'm looking to "Max Out" of it what I can.
If I install the xxHighEnd program and run it through the 7.1 system
will it play 7.1, even though, neither my Laptop nor the xxHighEnd, are 7.1?
Would you advise a 24/92 sound card for the laptop?...a plug-in?
Any suggestions!
Or is pretty much what I have, "all the milk I'm getting from this cow"?
   Thanks for the help,

        NYC

[PeterSt]

Hi again,

If I install the xxHighEnd program and run it through the 7.1 system

I am afraid I don't quite get what you mean by this. A 7.1 receiver perhaps ? If that is what you mean, no problem, because you will be using two channels only at playing albums from the PC. Everything will be ableto deal with that.

Your "souncard" will be another story ...
If your laptop does not have SPDIF out, you won't be able to connect to your external D/A converter (DAC). But ... I'm afraid you don't have a D/A converter. And, while the laptop will have analogue sound-out, that will be cr*p for sure. And thus you are in lack of one important piece of equipment : the DAC.

If I'm correct on this, best would be to get yourself an USB DAC, because that will connect to the laptop.
Notice though that it depends on what you are used to for audio listening. I mean, if your equipment currently is worth, say, $20K+ than I wouldn't leave it to this simple post of mine, and start with a dedicated audio PC first. Everything else (including that DAC) will shelling out money only.

I hope this helps a bit !
Peter

[GerardA]

Peter,

Will there be a plugin to use with video/radio/streaming anytime in the near future, built by you??

[NYCMachine]

....Thank you Peterst,
 for your paid attention to my questions.
To answer your MAIN question, the answer is..YES..you have answered.. MY MAIN.. question.
Will xxHighEnd improve my overall sound? ..YES..
I listed my equipment, as you asked. I would have sent you.. SPECS..on each, if there was room.
My system will be ...fully digital...so no need for a DAC. Yes, I am using a 7.1 Receiver, into Digital Speakers.
The only remaining question, I think, concerns the Sound Card.
Would a plug-in Card be useful for HD Movies and Music?
My Stuff: HP dv6t-2150us 3i Dual Core processor,4GB,320
              ONYKO HTS-9100THX

    Many Thanks,

          NYC

[PeterSt]

Aha ... now I understand (and I must honestly say that I didn't look up the Onkyo before ... now I did ).

Okay, solution : buy an M2Tech HiFace ! This will convert USB to SPDIF (and will do that even in a good way), so you now can feed the Onkyo with SPDIF.

Please keep in mind : I am assuming your laptop does not have SPDIF-out, not coaxial nor optical (the Onkyo accepts both). If it does, better use that at first (but keep in mind the HiFace connection will be better).

Now go for it !
Peter