Amplified sound to outdoors from computer
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Amplified sound to outdoors from computer
Michele has requested being able to listen to the Music Library of my computer outdoors on the deck.(I would like to as well though) 
Is there a special sound amplifier that is needed to be installed on the computer to drive the NON-amplified type speakers or is a Realtek HD sound card capable of amplified sound ?
I can't find any of this info in the Help or specs department.
Is there a special sound amplifier that is needed to be installed on the computer to drive the NON-amplified type speakers or is a Realtek HD sound card capable of amplified sound ?
I can't find any of this info in the Help or specs department.
Fleet Owner
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
If you have a small stereo jack on your computer, you can get a set of either Cambridge (PRIMO!) or Altec Lansing speaker to plug in, and they will be TOO loud for most peoples preferrences and with excellent bass production for $199.oo or less.
These are self powered.
Alternate to that - I would check the local pawn shops for a stereo or surround amp that will plug in to the jack.
Of the two - new is better.
These are self powered.
Alternate to that - I would check the local pawn shops for a stereo or surround amp that will plug in to the jack.
Of the two - new is better.
Cargo Master
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From: Earth
I use my computer and listen to it through my home stereo. I have RCA inputs on the back of my stereo, and most (if not all) computers have the standard speaker and/or headphone jack. I went to Radio Shack and bought a headphone/speaker plug that has RCA ends on the other end, and bought an extra long set of RCA wires for my home stereo. I plugged it into one of the many RCA jacks on the back of my stereo, ie the phono or CD RCA jacks, and I can listen to my computer's music or games through the stereo. I tell you what, listening to my music that way is great. BUT, playing my Battlefield PC games will make the house shake...I don't know of too many people that play PC games that way especially with 2-15 inch woofers... The headphone/RCA plug jack and long set of RCA wires cost me around $15. I guess this is assuming you have a home theater system with RCA capabilities.
Last edited by 53fatfndr; Jun 24, 2007 at 06:28 PM.
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Branden, I have all that and more.
What I Don't have and need is to run my Computer Music thru speakers located outside.
Just the sound signal isn't enough. I need it amplified to actually hear it.
I don't want to run it off a regular stereo so that idea is no good.
I want to plug NON amplified speakers into an amplified speaker jack.
I only want to run 2 or 4 speaker wires thru a hole in the window casing and attach the speakers on the exterior wall under wether protection
I want to take advantage of the 2000+ songs played randomly directly from my computer.
What I Don't have and need is to run my Computer Music thru speakers located outside.
Just the sound signal isn't enough. I need it amplified to actually hear it.
I don't want to run it off a regular stereo so that idea is no good.
I want to plug NON amplified speakers into an amplified speaker jack.
I only want to run 2 or 4 speaker wires thru a hole in the window casing and attach the speakers on the exterior wall under wether protection
I want to take advantage of the 2000+ songs played randomly directly from my computer.
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From: Calgary, Canada
Check if your home reciever has A/B speaker outputs or even better multi-room/zone outputs, if so, do like Braden said and run the output from the sound card to a L/R RCA cable into the reciever (any input will do except for the Phono input), and run your speaker wires out to the deck and run your non-amplified speakers off the reciever from the B output or one of the room zones.
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From: MA
Have you thought about Wireless speakers?
I have a set that I plug into the back of the stereo using RCA connectors. The base unit plugs into the stereo and the speakers can go anywhere..
They work reasonably well, but I didn't spend a lot on them.. Probably more reliable if you buy a more expensive set..
You should be able to get a cable from the headphone jack to the rca to get it to work on the pc..
I have a set that I plug into the back of the stereo using RCA connectors. The base unit plugs into the stereo and the speakers can go anywhere..
They work reasonably well, but I didn't spend a lot on them.. Probably more reliable if you buy a more expensive set..
You should be able to get a cable from the headphone jack to the rca to get it to work on the pc..
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The computer's audio output is usually line-level ... not enough to drive speakers on it's own.
You need either a stereo/amp near the computer with the right cable (stereo-miniplug to 2xRCA male) to plug into the computer's audio card, or you need powered speakers.
Either way, you need to run wire to the remote location. A long run at line-level will give you lots of noise. Better to have an amp near the computer.
I have one of those old tape-cassette adapters that allow you to plug a Walkman into a cassette deck in the car. I use it with a boombox and a laptop on wireless connecting to my Sun Solaris E450 where I store my important stuff
You need either a stereo/amp near the computer with the right cable (stereo-miniplug to 2xRCA male) to plug into the computer's audio card, or you need powered speakers.
Either way, you need to run wire to the remote location. A long run at line-level will give you lots of noise. Better to have an amp near the computer.
I have one of those old tape-cassette adapters that allow you to plug a Walkman into a cassette deck in the car. I use it with a boombox and a laptop on wireless connecting to my Sun Solaris E450 where I store my important stuff
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wireless ...Me too...do they require an amplifier in the computer to work ?
Or are the battery powered ?
I know about the line level..that's why I'm trying to find out of there is such a things as a computer amplifier for CD or MIDI sound to run line level speakers.
I am trying to avoid using a stand alone stereo amp.
Or are the battery powered ?
I know about the line level..that's why I'm trying to find out of there is such a things as a computer amplifier for CD or MIDI sound to run line level speakers.
I am trying to avoid using a stand alone stereo amp.
Last edited by Mil1ion; Jun 24, 2007 at 09:23 PM.
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
wireless ...Me too...do they require an amplifier in the computer to work ?
Only line level out of the laptop.
Sound cards do have small amplifiers built in, but not to do more than drive a pair of unpowered speakers next to the monitor
Not enough to drive anything "real"...
Not to mention, you WILL want to eventually add a remote control - at least to change the volume
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From: MA
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
wireless ...Me too...do they require an amplifier in the computer to work ?
Or are the battery powered ?
I know about the line level..that's why I'm trying to find out of there is such a things as a computer amplifier for CD or MIDI sound to run line level speakers.
I am trying to avoid using a stand alone stereo amp.
Or are the battery powered ?
I know about the line level..that's why I'm trying to find out of there is such a things as a computer amplifier for CD or MIDI sound to run line level speakers.
I am trying to avoid using a stand alone stereo amp.
Dennis I just did a test for you..
I plugged my wireless speakers directly into the headphone jack and they work great.. The sound is applified enough to blast you out...
The unit I got is an Acoustics Research AW 871... I got it off of Ebay quite a while ago.. Not sure how much I paid, but here is a link to one of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ACOUSTIC-RESEARC...QQcmdZViewItem
The speakers plug into any outlet in the house and the base unit is also self powered..
Hope this helps.
Post Fiend
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From: Lafayette, IN
Dennis, the bottom line is that something other than the computer has to be powered--whether that is the speakers or an amp. Actually, powered speakers have a small amp built in. Like Art said, long runs of line-level are bad, so to have wired speakers, you would need an amp near the computer, then a long run of speaker wire. For wireless, you would just need the transmitter on the computer, then the receiver in each speaker would have to be powered, either by battery or by AC voltage. I'd try checking your local classifieds, maybe you could come up with an amp/receiver on the cheap, or try a Best Buy (do they have those in Canada?) for an open-box item. You can get a lot of receiver for less than $200 or so.
Jason
Jason
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
Denny - what's your total budget on this?
If we have that to work with it makes a lot possible, it also rules out useless ideas based on logistical necessities.
One hopes it is greater than twenty bucks ~
Although, they do have yard sales in Canada, haven't they?
If we have that to work with it makes a lot possible, it also rules out useless ideas based on logistical necessities.
One hopes it is greater than twenty bucks ~
Although, they do have yard sales in Canada, haven't they?
Last edited by Greywolf; Jun 25, 2007 at 07:48 PM.
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I have tons of sets of NON-Amplified speakers around here.
I am trying to ELIMINATE the need for a stereo amplifier in this room because ..there isn't any space to put one.
I want to run amplified sound directly out of the computer to the speakers.
Budget : $100.00 cdn
I am trying to ELIMINATE the need for a stereo amplifier in this room because ..there isn't any space to put one.
I want to run amplified sound directly out of the computer to the speakers.
Budget : $100.00 cdn