Question: 1 speaker system, 2 sources. how do i make it work?

[dowlmane]

Hi,

How do I let my xbox 360 and my computer share a single 2.1 system without having to plugging and replugging the cables according to my needs?

As far as i know my options are to either i) route it through an external receiver, which seems unreasonable, or ii) purchase an audio cable switcher, but I can't find one, assuming they exist. Another problem is that computer and the 360 use different audio plugs, so....

I'm not sure if that made sense.

In case it matters, I'm new here...

[Drew_W]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Use two jacks of that for L/R. You don't need a switch, you can run parallel inputs to the speakers, just when you want to hear one thing only shut off or mute the other.

[warpdrive]

There is definitely a way but you need to specify exactly what connections you are using. Are the connections analogue or digital? I have a cheap switcher that sounds like it does exactly what you need.

[dowlmane]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Use two jacks of that for L/R. You don't need a switch, you can run parallel inputs to the speakers, just when you want to hear one thing only shut off or mute the other.

I think i get it, but correct me if i'm wrong: wouldn't that leave me with mono (ie, non-stereo) sound?

[Drew_W]

I think i get it, but correct me if i'm wrong: wouldn't that leave me with mono (ie, non-stereo) sound?

Mono is one, stereo is two. That's a component splitter that has 1 more RCA than what you need for stereo.

You can also get a pair of http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 if you need to flip the male jacks to female for connection to your speakers.

[dowlmane]

There is definitely a way but you need to specify exactly what connections you are using. Are the connections analogue or digital? I have a cheap switcher that sounds like it does exactly what you need.

analog.

but here's the thing, the cables that connect to the computer is the small green plug but the one for the xbox is regular red/white ones, but i think theres an adapter you can get for that.

does that help?

sorry for the noobness of my terms. haha.

[Gee]

What you really need is a Pre-Amp. But I think that would probably cost too much

[Jon Lai]

Hi,

How do I let my xbox 360 and my computer share a single 2.1 system without having to plugging and replugging the cables according to my needs?

As far as i know my options are to either i) route it through an external receiver, which seems unreasonable, or ii) purchase an audio cable switcher, but I can't find one, assuming they exist. Another problem is that computer and the 360 use different audio plugs, so....

I'm not sure if that made sense.

In case it matters, I'm new here...

Why is an external receiver "unreasonable"?

[jasperException]

dowlmane, I think it would help if you tell us how you connect the pc and xbox360 to the 2.1 speakers. Because it can be either optical, rca, coaxial or mini-stereo.

Like right now, I assume that computer connect to the 2.1 speakers via a M-M 3.5mm stereo plug. Xbox360 connect to the 2.1 speakers via a RCA (L+R) cables. If this is true, then a quick and dirty solution:

CABLE A - 3.5mm Stereo Y:


Note: this cable is a stereo splitter. White and red ends are stereo. You can confirmed with the number of rings on the end.

CABLE B - (2) RCA M to 3.5mm F Y:


- 3.5mm stereo green cable of speaker connects to the black end of CABLE A
- either white or red 3.5mm stereo cable of CABLE A connect to the SPK OUT of sound card.
- either red or white 3.5mm stereo cable of CABLE A connect to the blank end of CABLE B.
- Right and Left channel RCA cables connect to the xbox360 (F-F dongle x 2 might be needed)

You might need to find a CABLE B that is long enough to go from sound card to the xbox360.

EDIT

Or CABLE B can be something like this:

Logitech 10" 3.5mm Stereo to 2 RCA Y-Splitter Cable (F/F)


Keep in mind if the PC and xbox360 are playing at the same time, bought audio sources will be mixed together. So it would be better to get a switch.

[Aske001]

A switch is definitely better. You should never connect two analog outputs together in parallel to one input without the proper electrical isolation between them. The reason is that the output voltage of one can drive the output-stage transistors of the other backwards. Transistor junctions don't like being driven backwards - they burn out.

[cjpark]

I used have two computers hooked up to one set of speakers. Used a y-adapter and it worked okay. With both plugged in, the sound was much softer than with only one plugged in at the same volume but overall it did what I wanted. Ended up just switching to headphones on one though.

[Aske001]

I used have two computers hooked up to one set of speakers. Used a y-adapter and it worked okay.

Definitely NOT recommended (see above).

[dowlmane]

so what do you recommend? I figured using a switch would be ideal, but i don't know how to set it up.

jasperException got it when guessing the setup.

[jasperException]

Now let uses all of our ideas and solution together to give dowlmane a final solution. As agreed among us that a switch would be the best solution since as Aske001 pointed out that "output voltage of one can drive the output-stage transistors of the other backwards". Finding a switch that has stereo 3.5mm plug-in and RCA plug-in can be hard. As isajoo pointed out, a switch like RCR is readily available at Zellers, Walmart, TSCC etc. So this is what I proposed based on our collective ideas:

- Buy a switch like RCR. I remembered Zellers has one of those for $19.99 at the Gaming/Electronic department (Manual). FS also got one that is either RCR or Dynex. Even Walmart has one. You can choose with a remote or manual. Make sure it has RCA plug-ins like in pic above.
- Buy 2 of CABLE B - (2) RCA M to 3.5mm F Y
- Buy a 3.5mm Stereo extension cable with Male - Male ends

Red and White connector of each CABLE B connect to their corresponding color on the input and one of the output. Green cable of speaker connect to the black end of the CABLE B that connect to the input. A M-M Stereo 3.5mm cable connect to sound card and to black end of 2nd CABLE B that connect to the output port. Xbox360 connect to another output port.