Features of connecting a home theater to a computer

The computer has entered our daily life so tightly that it has replaced many other devices. However, highly specialized devices have great advantages, and still remain in demand. For example, home theater perfect for watching movies. At the same time, the capabilities of both types of technology can be expanded by switching. To do this, you just need to know how to connect a home theater to a computer, and do it correctly.

Connection options

To begin with, let us consider how this symbiosis of technology can work in general, what use cases can be, and how to physically implement each of the schemes. It all depends on the model of the video system and the capabilities of the computer.And if the second can be updated, install new components and significantly improve its functionality, then everything is a bit more complicated with the video system.

The main options for the joint operation of these two devices:

• The DVD works as a sound amplifier, and acoustic kit creates surround sound;
• the player connects to a computer monitor;
• connecting to a local home network.

Each of the options is good in its own way. The third method will be the most interesting: the first two are suitable mainly for older models that, in principle, do not support another technology.

Home theater as a sound amplifier

The computer is the main one, on it you watch movies, and the speaker set is just an amplifier for better sound. This scheme is most relevant for older models of home theaters that are less functional. To connect you need to use a cable with two tulips at one end and plug mini jack on another.

As a rule, these wires are bundled with a home theater.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. We connect tulips to the “Input” jack (IN) to the DVD player.
2. On the computer, insert the mini-jack into the free slot of the sound card.
3. We carry out some manipulations with the setting: it is necessary to determine the cable that has appeared as an output for 6 speakers.

The sound will be automatically distributed to the desired speaker, creating surround sound in the room.

Despite its simplicity, the first type of connection has its advantages. Actually, the ease of connection - this is the main one. In addition, no additional items are required. This way you can watch movies online or play computer games and enjoy good sound. There are no minuses as such, but it can be noted that with such a connection, nothing functionally changes: the home theater only allows you to improve the sound quality.

Specially buying a new system for such a PC connection is meaningless only if you already have a long-standing idle player. Otherwise, it is more profitable to invest money in upgrading the computer: to connect good acoustics, you should purchase a powerful one. sound card.

Connection via local network

Modern home theater models very often have the ability to connect to a home LAN.In this case, there is a great option for their collaboration: the media center will work for its intended purpose - to watch movies. On the computer, you can open general access to the folder with movies, TV shows and music and play them through your home theater.

The connection can be either wired or wireless, the functionality does not change.

It is more convenient, of course, to use the network. Wi-Fi. Connection settings will depend on the settings of your router. It is enough to set the correct parameters, enter the password if necessary and enjoy your favorite movies. If you wish, you can make a home mini-server where all multimedia content will be shared. You can watch and listen to it from home cinema, from all home computers, mobile devices.

This connection option has many advantages:

1. Home cinema is used for its intended purpose.
2. You can watch movies downloaded from the Internet to a computer and stored in a home movie library.
3. You can use the unique functions of the cinema, for example, karaoke, connecting a microphone.

Of the minuses except that you can select the inability to watch videos directly on your computer, using the capabilities of a home theater.

Home Cinema Monitor

The following connection method will help those who like to watch movies with the help of a cinema, while being at the computer. Or, for example, if the TV broke. For such a connection, there are 2 options:

• use a cable with tulips on one end and a VGA connector on the other;
• connect to HDMI connector.

The first method is needed for old monitors, and the second refers to newer models. You can easily switch between modes by choosing an image source from either a PC or a home theater.

With such a connection, there are no special advantages and extended functionality, it is more suitable for extreme cases.

In some cases, this method of connection will be justified. Computer monitors tend to have significantly less response time, that is, the time during which the picture on the screen changes. This is necessary to work with games that have increased requirements for both the computer and the monitor.When watching movies using the monitor, immediately higher quality of dynamic scenes is noticeable than when viewed on a TV. However, the latest TV models are almost as good as computer monitors with this parameter (for more information, see the article about choosing a tv for playstation).

We combine all the options

Many home theaters allow you to connect the computer is not one, and sometimes all at once. This allows you not to think about choosing a connection option: feel free to use all possible. Nuance: the sense of connection will be only if the PC and the TV are in the same room and preferably nearby, then the location of the speakers will be correct. However, if your video system allows you to connect to a local network, then there will simply be no need to connect it as an amplifier.