HDMI with a throughput for sound on graphics card

procupine14 · Nov 26, 2008, 08:12 PM

Greetings all! I have a quick question. I am looking for a graphics card to replace the 7600GT in my HTPC and really want one with an HDMI input since the response time on my TV on the PC input is awful.

So the delema

I want a graphics card that will route the sound through the HDMI as well seeing as the HDMI inputs on the TV do not have ports for separate sound.

Does this exist? I assume so

Liqourice · Nov 26, 2008, 09:43 PM

Basically all 3- and 4-series PCI-E cards from ATI have this. They have built-in HD audio sound just for this purpose. If it's AGP then I'm sad to say there's no option like this avaliable, at least not that I'm aware of.

Judas · Nov 26, 2008, 10:01 PM

the only issue with this however, depending on the cards.... while digital, everything is a 2 channel PCM audio unless it's presented in one of the digital formats that the TV or an AMP can decode.

AKA your playing back a 5.1 Dolby Digital DVD, so long as the TV/amp support 5.1 DD and can decode it your great, otherwise you'll only ever get stereo.

Now i wouldn't expect this to be a problem as tv's are usually just stereo anyways (or mono)... just pointing out the fact of the matter.

TheAscension · Nov 26, 2008, 10:55 PM

Assuming you have PCIe, there are a few Radeon 3000 series cards that have an HDMI port built into the card that route sound and video through them. There are also others, like my MSI 3450, that will do the same (audio/video) through DVI with an HDMI adapter. These cards are very inexpensive too.

Liqourice · Nov 26, 2008, 11:08 PM

If you want something a bit cheaper that already has HDMI I just saw this review.

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews.php?reviewid=671

4550 has a passive cooler so it's absolutely quiet as well, something I gather is important for a HTPC.

But as I said before, it's a no go if you have a motherboard with only AGP.

Tipstaff · Nov 27, 2008, 06:19 AM

A lot of Nvidia cards have an SPDIF 2 pin pass-through header on the board itself (digital out + ground). There might even be one that 7600GT you have right now. All you need to do is route the SPDIF from the sound card itself, or if you have a onboard sound there will be a header on your motherboard to the header on the video card, and it will pass that through the connector. However, 1 problem: if the board has an HDMI connector pre-built into it your fine, and it's just a matter of doing the pass-through, but if it has DVI only then you need to use a DVI to HDMI converter. The one tied to the SPDIF header is usually DVI port number 2 (closest to the screw/top). The thing is that in order to properly use the converter you need one compatible with Nvidia cards. If you use a DVI to HDMI converter that works for ATI cards on an Nvidia card it either won't work, or you will get major feedback on the TV end. I sell a lot of Asus cards that have dual DVI headers, and they run the SPDIF audio through the 2nd one in this very manner, but they also tend to give you the DVI to HDMI converter too that works for their card.

If you do this, be careful not to accidentally hookup the +5 power. The SPDIF headers on the motherboard usually have 3 pins (in order from the first pin: +5, missing/no pin, SPDIF out, ground), and if you hook the power one up to the video card... well.. let's just say that your case will stink to high hell of burnt plastic. So, be warned, and be extra careful in getting it right.

procupine14 · Nov 28, 2008, 09:27 PM

Thanks guys for all your help I understand it all now I think. I just had never done this before and never taken the time to look at it.

procupine14 · Jan 8, 2009, 07:15 PM

just an update I snagged a 4550 to drop in there and its running great! Good reccommendation

Nov 26, 2008, 08:12 PM	#1
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	HDMI with a throughput for sound on graphics card Greetings all! I have a quick question. I am looking for a graphics card to replace the 7600GT in my HTPC and really want one with an HDMI input since the response time on my TV on the PC input is awful. So the delema I want a graphics card that will route the sound through the HDMI as well seeing as the HDMI inputs on the TV do not have ports for separate sound. Does this exist? I assume so __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU

Nov 26, 2008, 09:43 PM	#2
Liqourice HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stockholm Posts: 1,702 Rep Power: 98 System Specs	Re: HDMI with a throughput for sound on graphics card Basically all 3- and 4-series PCI-E cards from ATI have this. They have built-in HD audio sound just for this purpose. If it's AGP then I'm sad to say there's no option like this avaliable, at least not that I'm aware of.

Nov 26, 2008, 10:55 PM	#4
TheAscension DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Milwaukie, OR Posts: 94 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: HDMI with a throughput for sound on graphics card Assuming you have PCIe, there are a few Radeon 3000 series cards that have an HDMI port built into the card that route sound and video through them. There are also others, like my MSI 3450, that will do the same (audio/video) through DVI with an HDMI adapter. These cards are very inexpensive too.

Nov 26, 2008, 11:08 PM	#5
Liqourice HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stockholm Posts: 1,702 Rep Power: 98 System Specs	Re: HDMI with a throughput for sound on graphics card If you want something a bit cheaper that already has HDMI I just saw this review. http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews.php?reviewid=671 4550 has a passive cooler so it's absolutely quiet as well, something I gather is important for a HTPC. But as I said before, it's a no go if you have a motherboard with only AGP.

Nov 27, 2008, 06:19 AM	#6
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Re: HDMI with a throughput for sound on graphics card A lot of Nvidia cards have an SPDIF 2 pin pass-through header on the board itself (digital out + ground). There might even be one that 7600GT you have right now. All you need to do is route the SPDIF from the sound card itself, or if you have a onboard sound there will be a header on your motherboard to the header on the video card, and it will pass that through the connector. However, 1 problem: if the board has an HDMI connector pre-built into it your fine, and it's just a matter of doing the pass-through, but if it has DVI only then you need to use a DVI to HDMI converter. The one tied to the SPDIF header is usually DVI port number 2 (closest to the screw/top). The thing is that in order to properly use the converter you need one compatible with Nvidia cards. If you use a DVI to HDMI converter that works for ATI cards on an Nvidia card it either won't work, or you will get major feedback on the TV end. I sell a lot of Asus cards that have dual DVI headers, and they run the SPDIF audio through the 2nd one in this very manner, but they also tend to give you the DVI to HDMI converter too that works for their card. If you do this, be careful not to accidentally hookup the +5 power. The SPDIF headers on the motherboard usually have 3 pins (in order from the first pin: +5, missing/no pin, SPDIF out, ground), and if you hook the power one up to the video card... well.. let's just say that your case will stink to high hell of burnt plastic. So, be warned, and be extra careful in getting it right. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick. Last edited by Tipstaff; Nov 27, 2008 at 06:26 AM.

Nov 28, 2008, 09:27 PM	Thread Starter #7
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	Re: HDMI with a throughput for sound on graphics card Thanks guys for all your help I understand it all now I think. I just had never done this before and never taken the time to look at it. __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU

Jan 8, 2009, 07:15 PM	Thread Starter #8
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	Re: HDMI with a throughput for sound on graphics card just an update I snagged a 4550 to drop in there and its running great! Good reccommendation __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU