Re: Desktop computer speakers

[Casey]

Hi sorry I didn't state this before I live in the united states.
So where can I get one of thees cards and how much would I have to shell 
out for on in the states?

Sorry I didn't say that before.

a
--
Casey

Re: Desktop computer speakers

[Dane Trethowan]

As I'm a full-time Mac user I might be able to answer some of these 
questions.


Regarding a drive? The Mac OS will read Windows NTFS formatted and FAT 
formatted drives however - by default - the Mac cannot write to these 
drives so - if you need to write to a drive - you'll need something like 
NTFS For Mac from Paragon software.


The utility is invisible to the user pretty much, it sists in the Mac 
System preferences.


That's one of the reasons actually why I decided to store all my music 
on Dropbox, sync is pretty much automatic and I don't have to worry 
about what format is compatible and what isn't, can play music on just 
about any media player and so on.


If you're using iTunes on your Windows PC then make sure you use the 
same iTuens ID with your Mac and be sure that both computers are 
registered, I think you might need iTunes Match as well to allow syncing 
of music across your registered devices..


Copy protection of DVD'S and the like is a problem but there are 
packages out there that handle it, DVD Remaster Pro for the Mac is one 
example and I have one for the Windows PC though can't remember the name 
of it off hand.




On 24/08/2016 6:06 AM, John Gurd wrote:

Hi Andy,
I don't use a Mac as yet, but I'm sure you won't have a problem getting your 
music, MP3's and the like, onto your Mac. I was talking about media like DVDs 
that's got copyright protection built in. I think the only issue transferring 
data is that Apple Macs use a different file system on hard drives, so an 
external drive might need to be converted from NTFS to something an Apple or 
both machines can use. One thought might be to use a NAS to store stuff you 
want to access from both machines as they can be set up to be seen by both. 
Someone more qualified than I might point you in the right direction, and of 
course, as Dane would say, Google is your friend. :)

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 23 August 2016 20:49
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi John.

Don't frighten me with words such as copywright protection!

I've spent a load of cash on my Imac and Macbook pro, and audio, either through 
movies, books or music is my life.  So I'd just hate to face restrictions from 
Apple that would make life even more difficult for me.  A friend told me the 
other day that my Imac may not accept data from my external hard drives, which 
contain all of my stuff.

If what you say turns out to be the case, then i'd probably keep and upgrade my 
Microsoft stuff, now that I've got JAWS 17.

It is sad isn't it.  I'd just love to do the stuff I do now with Microsoft on 
my new Apple equipment, but I've got this funny feeling!


Very best wishes.
Andy.


- Original Message -
From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 4:32 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy
You're right. It still annoys me that I can't connect all the equipment I
want without a lot of rigmarole. Sonos will let me play music from the
built-in iPhone app but not other apps such as NatureSpace which has really
nice nature/relaxation tracks. A lot of Apple and Microsoft products don't
integrate well - deliberately so in order to force you to stay with one
company. And what a carry-on it can be getting music onto an iPhone from a
PC these days! As for HDMI, it's great when it works, but it has a little
thing built in called High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection (HDCP)
which you will find will stop you doing some of the things you mentioned:
like you can listen, but you certainly can't record and definitely not copy.
And because of that, it refuses to play certain media such as Blu-ray if it
detects you are using equipment not certified for HDCP. So frankly, life
could be a lot simpler if it wasn't for the jealousy and rivalry of some big
corporations.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 21 August 2016 21:15
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going
to happen is it?

Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units
or amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only
people like us who may know a little about these things that gain the
benefits.

One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be
able to play audio from any device through your home system, without even
thinking about it.

I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.

Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you
could simply download audio 

RE: Desktop computer speakers

[John Gurd]

Hi Andy,
I don't use a Mac as yet, but I'm sure you won't have a problem getting your 
music, MP3's and the like, onto your Mac. I was talking about media like DVDs 
that's got copyright protection built in. I think the only issue transferring 
data is that Apple Macs use a different file system on hard drives, so an 
external drive might need to be converted from NTFS to something an Apple or 
both machines can use. One thought might be to use a NAS to store stuff you 
want to access from both machines as they can be set up to be seen by both. 
Someone more qualified than I might point you in the right direction, and of 
course, as Dane would say, Google is your friend. :)

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 23 August 2016 20:49
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi John.

Don't frighten me with words such as copywright protection!

I've spent a load of cash on my Imac and Macbook pro, and audio, either through 
movies, books or music is my life.  So I'd just hate to face restrictions from 
Apple that would make life even more difficult for me.  A friend told me the 
other day that my Imac may not accept data from my external hard drives, which 
contain all of my stuff.

If what you say turns out to be the case, then i'd probably keep and upgrade my 
Microsoft stuff, now that I've got JAWS 17.

It is sad isn't it.  I'd just love to do the stuff I do now with Microsoft on 
my new Apple equipment, but I've got this funny feeling!


Very best wishes.
Andy.


- Original Message - 
From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 4:32 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy
You're right. It still annoys me that I can't connect all the equipment I 
want without a lot of rigmarole. Sonos will let me play music from the 
built-in iPhone app but not other apps such as NatureSpace which has really 
nice nature/relaxation tracks. A lot of Apple and Microsoft products don't 
integrate well - deliberately so in order to force you to stay with one 
company. And what a carry-on it can be getting music onto an iPhone from a 
PC these days! As for HDMI, it's great when it works, but it has a little 
thing built in called High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection (HDCP) 
which you will find will stop you doing some of the things you mentioned: 
like you can listen, but you certainly can't record and definitely not copy. 
And because of that, it refuses to play certain media such as Blu-ray if it 
detects you are using equipment not certified for HDCP. So frankly, life 
could be a lot simpler if it wasn't for the jealousy and rivalry of some big 
corporations.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 21 August 2016 21:15
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going 
to happen is it?

Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units 
or amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only 
people like us who may know a little about these things that gain the 
benefits.

One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be 
able to play audio from any device through your home system, without even 
thinking about it.

I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.

Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you 
could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it and edit 
it and post it again without any effort whatsoever!




- Original Message -
From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are an
exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.

My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so instead
I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours minus the PC.

Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound cards
each going through a sound mixer and then output through an amplifier and
stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to broadcast on internet
radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went wrong with my main
machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've simplified things since then
getting rid of redundant equipment. I now have one of the few self-amplified
5.1 systems that can plug into a sound card 

Re: Desktop computer speakers

[Andy]

Hi John.

Don't frighten me with words such as copywright protection!

I've spent a load of cash on my Imac and Macbook pro, and audio, either 
through movies, books or music is my life.  So I'd just hate to face 
restrictions from Apple that would make life even more difficult for me.  A 
friend told me the other day that my Imac may not accept data from my 
external hard drives, which contain all of my stuff.


If what you say turns out to be the case, then i'd probably keep and upgrade 
my Microsoft stuff, now that I've got JAWS 17.


It is sad isn't it.  I'd just love to do the stuff I do now with Microsoft 
on my new Apple equipment, but I've got this funny feeling!



Very best wishes.
Andy.


- Original Message - 
From: "John Gurd" 

To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 4:32 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy
You're right. It still annoys me that I can't connect all the equipment I 
want without a lot of rigmarole. Sonos will let me play music from the 
built-in iPhone app but not other apps such as NatureSpace which has really 
nice nature/relaxation tracks. A lot of Apple and Microsoft products don't 
integrate well - deliberately so in order to force you to stay with one 
company. And what a carry-on it can be getting music onto an iPhone from a 
PC these days! As for HDMI, it's great when it works, but it has a little 
thing built in called High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection (HDCP) 
which you will find will stop you doing some of the things you mentioned: 
like you can listen, but you certainly can't record and definitely not copy. 
And because of that, it refuses to play certain media such as Blu-ray if it 
detects you are using equipment not certified for HDCP. So frankly, life 
could be a lot simpler if it wasn't for the jealousy and rivalry of some big 
corporations.


John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 21 August 2016 21:15
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going 
to happen is it?


Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units 
or amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only 
people like us who may know a little about these things that gain the 
benefits.


One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be 
able to play audio from any device through your home system, without even 
thinking about it.


I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.


Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you 
could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it and edit 
it and post it again without any effort whatsoever!





- Original Message -
From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are an
exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.

My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so instead
I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours minus the PC.

Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound cards
each going through a sound mixer and then output through an amplifier and
stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to broadcast on internet
radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went wrong with my main
machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've simplified things since then
getting rid of redundant equipment. I now have one of the few self-amplified
5.1 systems that can plug into a sound card without an amplifier. I also use
a splitter to a little transmitter that lets me use the old-style wireless
headphones and portable speakers so I can have audio from my PC in other
rooms. The Logitec Z5500 5.1 speakers sound reasonable for their price and
age but as they're quite elderly I want something better.

I was hoping to keep it simple but if I wanted to keep a 5.1 set up in my PC
den you are probably right and I would have to think about an amp or
receiver. It would also allow me to get the best out of my small collection
of PC-based HD recordings. To be honest though although it's nice having the
ability of outputting music in a 5.1 virtual mix like Dolby PL2 I spend less
time than I used to doing that and I usually go to the living room for
movies in surround sound, so maybe a good stereo speaker set up would do.

I've used the external Sound Blaster 

Re: online audio

[Dane Trethowan]

Ah now that's a good question and that's something I've not tackled before.

The advantage for me of having music in my Dropbox is that its also on 
the computer as well as in the cloud so I have it no matter where I want 
it and no special music folders are required on my computers, just Dropbox.


I do recall seeing in the Dropbox preferences somewhere where one could 
control what was synced and what wasn't so perhaps you might like to 
look there.




On 24/08/2016 4:32 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:

Hello

how do you upload your music to dropbox with out having it download to 
your computer


I also agree I haven't used itunes in about 2 months.
not only that but it is really klunky on windows.
thanks
Hank

On 8/23/2016 8:51 AM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
Your’e hit on the main reason why I’m happy not to use an iPhone for 
mainstream music listening these days.

I’m doing some reflection on the Windows PC side of things as I write.
About a month or so ago I did a clean installation of Windows 10 onto 
the Desktop machine and what do you know, I’ve not felt compelled to 
install iTunes onto that machine since, I have all my music in 
different places, on NAS storage and in my Dropbox for example and 
all my favourite players - whether they be Portable music players, 
Hi-Fi gadgets, Radios or computers - have access to it so no need for 
iTunes unless I want to put the music onto an iPhone which I don’t 
because its already in the Cloud and will be streamed to the iPhone 
should I choose to play music with it using the built-in Apple Music 
App which I don’t given the App has become so complex lately.
I’m also different in that I’m one of those who don’t like sitting in 
front of their computer listening to music or whatever unless I 
really have no option but to do so, I think I live by the old slogan 
my old Squeezebox Boom used to display when it was booting up, “Set 
your music free!”.



On 24 Aug 2016, at 1:32 AM, John Gurd  wrote:

Hi Andy
You're right. It still annoys me that I can't connect all the 
equipment I want without a lot of rigmarole. Sonos will let me play 
music from the built-in iPhone app but not other apps such as 
NatureSpace which has really nice nature/relaxation tracks. A lot of 
Apple and Microsoft products don't integrate well - deliberately so 
in order to force you to stay with one company. And what a carry-on 
it can be getting music onto an iPhone from a PC these days! As for 
HDMI, it's great when it works, but it has a little thing built in 
called High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection (HDCP) which you 
will find will stop you doing some of the things you mentioned: like 
you can listen, but you certainly can't record and definitely not 
copy. And because of that, it refuses to play certain media such as 
Blu-ray if it detects you are using equipment not certified for 
HDCP. So frankly, life could be a lot simpler if it wasn't for the 
jealousy and rivalry of some big corporations.


John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 21 August 2016 21:15
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't 
going to happen is it?


Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV 
units or amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and 
it's only people like us who may know a little about these things 
that gain the benefits.


One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology 
, be able to play audio from any device through your home system, 
without even thinking about it.


I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all 
these threads together and with every year, it's getting even more 
complicated.


Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound 
and you could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen 
to it and edit it and post it again without any effort whatsoever!





- Original Message -
From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked 
to are an

exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.

My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so 
instead
I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours minus 
the PC.


Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 
sound cards
each going through a sound mixer and then output through an 
amplifier and
stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to broadcast on 
internet

radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when 

Re: online audio

[Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona]

Hello

how do you upload your music to dropbox with out having it download to 
your computer


I also agree I haven't used itunes in about 2 months.
not only that but it is really klunky on windows.
thanks
Hank

On 8/23/2016 8:51 AM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

Your’e hit on the main reason why I’m happy not to use an iPhone for mainstream 
music listening these days.
I’m doing some reflection on the Windows PC side of things as I write.
About a month or so ago I did a clean installation of Windows 10 onto the 
Desktop machine and what do you know, I’ve not felt compelled to install iTunes 
onto that machine since, I have all my music in different places, on NAS 
storage and in my Dropbox for example and all my favourite players - whether 
they be Portable music players, Hi-Fi gadgets, Radios or computers - have 
access to it so no need for iTunes unless I want to put the music onto an 
iPhone which I don’t because its already in the Cloud and will be streamed to 
the iPhone should I choose to play music with it using the built-in Apple Music 
App which I don’t given the App has become so complex lately.
I’m also different in that I’m one of those who don’t like sitting in front of 
their computer listening to music or whatever unless I really have no option 
but to do so, I think I live by the old slogan my old Squeezebox Boom used to 
display when it was booting up, “Set your music free!”.


On 24 Aug 2016, at 1:32 AM, John Gurd  wrote:

Hi Andy
You're right. It still annoys me that I can't connect all the equipment I want 
without a lot of rigmarole. Sonos will let me play music from the built-in 
iPhone app but not other apps such as NatureSpace which has really nice 
nature/relaxation tracks. A lot of Apple and Microsoft products don't integrate 
well - deliberately so in order to force you to stay with one company. And what 
a carry-on it can be getting music onto an iPhone from a PC these days! As for 
HDMI, it's great when it works, but it has a little thing built in called 
High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection (HDCP) which you will find will 
stop you doing some of the things you mentioned: like you can listen, but you 
certainly can't record and definitely not copy. And because of that, it refuses 
to play certain media such as Blu-ray if it detects you are using equipment not 
certified for HDCP. So frankly, life could be a lot simpler if it wasn't for 
the jealousy and rivalry of some big corporations.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 21 August 2016 21:15
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going to 
happen is it?

Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units or 
amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only people 
like us who may know a little about these things that gain the benefits.

One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be able 
to play audio from any device through your home system, without even thinking 
about it.

I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.

Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you 
could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it and edit it 
and post it again without any effort whatsoever!




- Original Message -
From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are an
exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.

My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so instead
I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours minus the PC.

Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound cards
each going through a sound mixer and then output through an amplifier and
stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to broadcast on internet
radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went wrong with my main
machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've simplified things since then
getting rid of redundant equipment. I now have one of the few self-amplified
5.1 systems that can plug into a sound card without an amplifier. I also use
a splitter to a little transmitter that lets me use the old-style wireless
headphones and portable speakers so I can have audio from my PC in other
rooms. The Logitec Z5500 5.1 speakers sound reasonable for their price and
age but as they're quite elderly I want something better.

I was 

online audio

[Dane Trethowan]

Your’e hit on the main reason why I’m happy not to use an iPhone for mainstream 
music listening these days.
I’m doing some reflection on the Windows PC side of things as I write.
About a month or so ago I did a clean installation of Windows 10 onto the 
Desktop machine and what do you know, I’ve not felt compelled to install iTunes 
onto that machine since, I have all my music in different places, on NAS 
storage and in my Dropbox for example and all my favourite players - whether 
they be Portable music players, Hi-Fi gadgets, Radios or computers - have 
access to it so no need for iTunes unless I want to put the music onto an 
iPhone which I don’t because its already in the Cloud and will be streamed to 
the iPhone should I choose to play music with it using the built-in Apple Music 
App which I don’t given the App has become so complex lately.
I’m also different in that I’m one of those who don’t like sitting in front of 
their computer listening to music or whatever unless I really have no option 
but to do so, I think I live by the old slogan my old Squeezebox Boom used to 
display when it was booting up, “Set your music free!”.

> On 24 Aug 2016, at 1:32 AM, John Gurd  wrote:
> 
> Hi Andy 
> You're right. It still annoys me that I can't connect all the equipment I 
> want without a lot of rigmarole. Sonos will let me play music from the 
> built-in iPhone app but not other apps such as NatureSpace which has really 
> nice nature/relaxation tracks. A lot of Apple and Microsoft products don't 
> integrate well - deliberately so in order to force you to stay with one 
> company. And what a carry-on it can be getting music onto an iPhone from a PC 
> these days! As for HDMI, it's great when it works, but it has a little thing 
> built in called High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection (HDCP) which you 
> will find will stop you doing some of the things you mentioned: like you can 
> listen, but you certainly can't record and definitely not copy. And because 
> of that, it refuses to play certain media such as Blu-ray if it detects you 
> are using equipment not certified for HDCP. So frankly, life could be a lot 
> simpler if it wasn't for the jealousy and rivalry of some big corporations.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
> Sent: 21 August 2016 21:15
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers
> 
> Hi again John.
> 
> God, it's getting even more complicated eh?
> 
> I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going to 
> happen is it?
> 
> Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units or 
> amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only people 
> like us who may know a little about these things that gain the benefits.
> 
> One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be able 
> to play audio from any device through your home system, without even thinking 
> about it.
> 
> I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
> threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.
> 
> Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you 
> could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it and edit 
> it and post it again without any effort whatsoever!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> - Original Message -
> From: "John Gurd" 
> To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
> Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
> Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers
> 
> 
> Hi Andy,
> That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop 
> speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are an 
> exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.
> 
> My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so instead 
> I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours minus the PC.
> 
> Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound cards 
> each going through a sound mixer and then output through an amplifier and 
> stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to broadcast on internet 
> radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went wrong with my main 
> machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've simplified things since then 
> getting rid of redundant equipment. I now have one of the few self-amplified 
> 5.1 systems that can plug into a sound card without an amplifier. I also use 
> a splitter to a little transmitter that lets me use the old-style wireless 
> headphones and portable speakers so I can have audio from my PC in other 
> rooms. The Logitec Z5500 5.1 speakers sound reasonable for their price and 
> age but as they're quite elderly I want something better.
> 
> I was hoping to keep it simple but if I wanted to keep a 5.1 set up in my PC 
> den you are 

RE: Desktop computer speakers

[John Gurd]

Hi Andy 
You're right. It still annoys me that I can't connect all the equipment I want 
without a lot of rigmarole. Sonos will let me play music from the built-in 
iPhone app but not other apps such as NatureSpace which has really nice 
nature/relaxation tracks. A lot of Apple and Microsoft products don't integrate 
well - deliberately so in order to force you to stay with one company. And what 
a carry-on it can be getting music onto an iPhone from a PC these days! As for 
HDMI, it's great when it works, but it has a little thing built in called 
High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection (HDCP) which you will find will 
stop you doing some of the things you mentioned: like you can listen, but you 
certainly can't record and definitely not copy. And because of that, it refuses 
to play certain media such as Blu-ray if it detects you are using equipment not 
certified for HDCP. So frankly, life could be a lot simpler if it wasn't for 
the jealousy and rivalry of some big corporations.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 21 August 2016 21:15
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going to 
happen is it?

Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units or 
amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only people 
like us who may know a little about these things that gain the benefits.

One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be able 
to play audio from any device through your home system, without even thinking 
about it.

I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.

Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you 
could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it and edit it 
and post it again without any effort whatsoever!




- Original Message -
From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop 
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are an 
exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.

My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so instead 
I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours minus the PC.

Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound cards 
each going through a sound mixer and then output through an amplifier and 
stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to broadcast on internet 
radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went wrong with my main 
machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've simplified things since then 
getting rid of redundant equipment. I now have one of the few self-amplified 
5.1 systems that can plug into a sound card without an amplifier. I also use 
a splitter to a little transmitter that lets me use the old-style wireless 
headphones and portable speakers so I can have audio from my PC in other 
rooms. The Logitec Z5500 5.1 speakers sound reasonable for their price and 
age but as they're quite elderly I want something better.

I was hoping to keep it simple but if I wanted to keep a 5.1 set up in my PC 
den you are probably right and I would have to think about an amp or 
receiver. It would also allow me to get the best out of my small collection 
of PC-based HD recordings. To be honest though although it's nice having the 
ability of outputting music in a 5.1 virtual mix like Dolby PL2 I spend less 
time than I used to doing that and I usually go to the living room for 
movies in surround sound, so maybe a good stereo speaker set up would do.

I've used the external Sound Blaster USB X-Fi in the past. I've always liked 
the Creative Sound Blaster range and their latest top card is an internal 
one called the ZX. I use it and it's great! The reason I gave up the 
external card was it could only handle 5.1 if it was compressed to a lower 
bitrate. I think when USB3 becomes standard with HDMI out this will no 
longer be an issue for external cards. Optical toslink connections 
inherently can't handle 5.1 channels without reducing the sound quality. 
They are fine for stereo though.

Anyway, I'll definitely consider the configuration you suggest. I'm even 
thinking of testing a Sonos Connect (which lives in the Livingroom system) 
as an experiment and connecting it to my PC. It has a line in as well as out 
and therefore could carry audio from my PC simultaneously to my room 
speakers and to the Sonos speakers in my bedroom. If it was successful I 
could add Sonos speakers 

RE: Desktop computer speakers

[Hamit Campos]

Eo Laprte hates that. I've seen it happen.

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of John Gurd
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 11:32 AM
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List' 
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers

Hi Andy
You're right. It still annoys me that I can't connect all the equipment I want 
without a lot of rigmarole. Sonos will let me play music from the built-in 
iPhone app but not other apps such as NatureSpace which has really nice 
nature/relaxation tracks. A lot of Apple and Microsoft products don't integrate 
well - deliberately so in order to force you to stay with one company. And what 
a carry-on it can be getting music onto an iPhone from a PC these days! As for 
HDMI, it's great when it works, but it has a little thing built in called 
High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection (HDCP) which you will find will 
stop you doing some of the things you mentioned: like you can listen, but you 
certainly can't record and definitely not copy. And because of that, it refuses 
to play certain media such as Blu-ray if it detects you are using equipment not 
certified for HDCP. So frankly, life could be a lot simpler if it wasn't for 
the jealousy and rivalry of some big corporations.

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 21 August 2016 21:15
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going to 
happen is it?

Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units or 
amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only people 
like us who may know a little about these things that gain the benefits.

One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be able 
to play audio from any device through your home system, without even thinking 
about it.

I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.

Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you 
could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it and edit it 
and post it again without any effort whatsoever!




- Original Message -
From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop speakers 
for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are an exception. 
But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.

My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so instead 
I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours minus the PC.

Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound cards 
each going through a sound mixer and then output through an amplifier and 
stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to broadcast on internet 
radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went wrong with my main machine 
which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've simplified things since then getting rid 
of redundant equipment. I now have one of the few self-amplified
5.1 systems that can plug into a sound card without an amplifier. I also use a 
splitter to a little transmitter that lets me use the old-style wireless 
headphones and portable speakers so I can have audio from my PC in other rooms. 
The Logitec Z5500 5.1 speakers sound reasonable for their price and age but as 
they're quite elderly I want something better.

I was hoping to keep it simple but if I wanted to keep a 5.1 set up in my PC 
den you are probably right and I would have to think about an amp or receiver. 
It would also allow me to get the best out of my small collection of PC-based 
HD recordings. To be honest though although it's nice having the ability of 
outputting music in a 5.1 virtual mix like Dolby PL2 I spend less time than I 
used to doing that and I usually go to the living room for movies in surround 
sound, so maybe a good stereo speaker set up would do.

I've used the external Sound Blaster USB X-Fi in the past. I've always liked 
the Creative Sound Blaster range and their latest top card is an internal one 
called the ZX. I use it and it's great! The reason I gave up the external card 
was it could only handle 5.1 if it was compressed to a lower bitrate. I think 
when USB3 becomes standard with HDMI out this will no longer be an issue for 
external cards. Optical toslink connections inherently can't handle 5.1 
channels without reducing the sound quality. 
They are fine for stereo though.

Anyway, I'll definitely consider the configuration you suggest. I'm even 
thinking of testing a Sonos Connect (which 

RE: Desktop computer speakers

[John Gurd]

Hi Casey
Yes, you can get the ZX today for £99 but I just realised that mine is the ZXR 
which unfortunately Creative are selling for £199, but I think you can get it 
elsewhere much cheaper. 

The difference is that the ZX is really for gaming and uses a pretty good 
Cirrus Logic DAC for all channels. However, the ZXR uses the same DAC rear and 
centre but for front stereo it uses a high end Burr-Brown DAC. Also as it is 
aimed at audiophiles and those interested in studio level recording it has a 
daughter board (which sports another set of audio inputs/outputs) that takes up 
an additional slot in the PC. It also has a small module with audio cable that 
allows it to be placed round the front of the PC with a volume control, 
built-in mike, a couple of headphone jacks and microphone jacks. So you get a 
lot of hardware for your bucks and it's debatable if you would use it all if 
you simply want to listen to music which to be honest is what I mostly do with 
it. There is no question that for outputting surround sound from a PC using 
analogue connections it is very good indeed. It can also drive headphones of up 
to 600 ohm. You could probably get away with something much cheaper if all you 
want to do is digital pass through.

As for the other part of your query, the software control panel is mostly 
accessible - at least for the parts I use with Jaws. There are a couple of 
unlabelled controls and buttons but all of the audio processing effects and DSP 
effects can be adjusted. A separate app for setting up speaker configuration is 
tricky but not impossible. I tend to use the Windows set up wizard when I want 
to, say, change from 5.1 to 2.0 speaker configuration.

Regards

John


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Casey
Sent: 20 August 2016 17:27
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi you talk3d about the sound blaster ZX internal card.
Now can you use the control panel that is with this card to adjust any of its 
settings with your screen reader?
Also can you still get one of thees sound blaster ZX cards today and for what 
price roughly?


--
Casey