From: nyyki@gypsyheir.com   
      
   I have a Yamaha receiver that regularly annoys me. It doesn't do any input   
   conversion, so if I want to run either component, S-video, or digital sound   
   (like AC3) I'll have to run everything that way, and of course my gear   
   doesn't support all that. I also can't replace all my gear, as some of it,   
   especially the Laserdisc player, aren't made anymore.   
   Volume is a problem with some of the components. My Boston Acoustics   
   speakers require a higher input power rating than I consider a comfortable   
   listening level. I discovered the problem wasn't a blown driver when I   
   hooked up my laptop to the receiver and dropped its volume and cranked up   
   the power amp. I need more wattage and the ability to  lower independent   
   volumes for each component.   
      
   And I'd like to go Blue Ray so I can start taking advantage of the Blue Ray   
   discs with descriptive video on them. I already have a computer in there,   
   (to play my ripped CD's and downloaded files, as it was easier to just rip   
   everything and then access it through the computers instead of trying to   
   find something on a shelf) and with Jaws it'll be fully accessible, assuming   
   I find the right applications. Plus I could take advantage of Amazon Prime   
   and Netflix content, which will have to have descriptive video fairly soon   
   as an option.   
   So here's what I'm thinking. I want to get rid of the receiver, pick up a   
   few power amps to feed the Boston Acoustics speakers, Grab three more   
   speakers for a 7.1 setup, and then set up the Stereo Computer (A dual core   
   Dell) as the nexus of my home stereo system.   
   The Dell has PCI Express slots. I'll swap out the internal DVD-R drive for a   
   Blue Ray drive. I'll need inputs for a VCR, (until I get all my VHS tapes   
   converted -- I have some rare things there that will need custom conversion,   
   and I have a friend who's good at this) and the AC3 and video inputs from   
   the Laserdisc player. A turntable and cassette deck are always nice but not   
   mandatory. I'll also want to put a tuner card in the computer in case I   
   decide to get cable again.   
   So this is 2-4 inputs, One of which (the VCR, just in case) also needs an   
   output, and a 7.1 PCI Express card out. I'll need at least two video inputs   
   in for the Laserdisc player and the VCR, and AC3 in there somewhere, again   
   for the Laserdisc player. Four inputs could mean an 8 port audio interface,   
   and I'd also need an output card that will support 7.1.   
   Then I'll need to source some way to get HDMI video into a regular composite   
   TV signal for now until I get one of my two projection units troubleshot and   
   hung.   
   After that it's a matter of locating seven channels of power amplification,   
   some way to use a remote with the computer, and some applications that I can   
   control all of this. I'll probably use IBlink or Winamp for radio stations,   
   too.   
      
   So:   
   Anyone know of any good PCI Express 7.1 cards for a reasonable price? 24/96   
   or better would be a plus.   
   Anyone know of anything that will let you control a computer with a remote?   
   Anyone got any good suggestions on multi-channel power amps at a reasonable   
   price? I don't need pro-audio stuff for this, and the room is about fourteen   
   feet wide and eighteen feet long for the living room portion of it.   
   What PCI Express interfaces are good enough to do home audio at a reasonable   
   price with at least 8 inputs?   
   How can I get at least two composite video inputs into the computer? What   
   about an AC3 input?   
   How about something that will output video? I probably need only one   
   additional video output for the VCR.   
   Anyone have any suggestions for control software for home audio systems? I   
   want this to be user friendly enough that a roommate or visitor doesn't need   
   a thirty minute teaching session to be able to do something to watch a movie   
   or listen to music. And being able to control the additional outputs would   
   also be nice, as my plans are to eventually wire the whole house for sound,   
   so I can do a stereo feed to the rest of the house for music in the   
   bedrooms, kitchen, game room Zen room, and back patio. But the software also   
   has to use standard navigation commands so I can navigate without a mouse.   
   General suggestions on this procedure and all will also be appreciated. I'm   
   not in a hurry right now -- I'm in the initial stages of all of this, so   
   there's a lot of thinking that will happen long before any real serious   
   purchasing happens. And suggestions of who I might contact for more   
   information would also be nice.   
      
   Thanks for any assistance y'all can provide.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)