I just bought this cheap 5.1 system off of Woot.com, specifically http://sellout.woot.com

Here is the manual ftp://ftp.jaton.com.tw/doc/AV318/318_Manual3.jpg

It has 6 RCA connectors, and it says I can hook it up to a computer. My question(s) is how do I do this? What may I need? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I also have a sound card, and on-board sound on my motherboard. Both of which have 5.1 sound available.

Thanks in advance,
Erik

You run three mini-jack-(1/8")-to-rca cables like these

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into the analog outs on your soundcard or motherboard (but I doubt your motherboard has 5.1 analog). One jack will be front L/R, another will be rear L/R, and the third should split between center and sub. You then plug the corresponding RCA jacks into the sub in the speaker system, as shown in the manual.

Click to view attachment

Will this sound ok? My ears are really sensitive, so it doesn't matter too much because I hear noise everywhere. I just don't want distortion, and will the sub work fine like this? I know a little about audio, but not much as you can see :-)

Thanks for your help.

Hmmm... that's a pretty loaded question. It's all relative. No HTIB (home theater in a box) sub/satellite speaker setup can cover the entire frequency range with any degree of accuracy, particularly the low frequency tracks on most of today's action movies, but if you've never had a surround system before it may fit the bill just fine. If you want to avoid distortion, you will probably want to keep the volume at a fairly moderate level. HTIB speakers tend to show their flaws pretty quickly when you push them too hard.

Ok, so these will work fine in a nut shell, just don't push them too hard, I can manage that since I'm not one to listen to my music at full blast anyway.

Thanks for your help again.

I just bought some rca's to 3.5mm at my work, I work at a music store, and got a nice discount on some nice ones, so hopefully that will help the audio out a bit too.

Another question if anyone is looking at this topic. Are there any control pod style devices I can buy such as ones that come with Logitech speakers so I can control my volume on my desk instead of in the back of the sub or thru my computer?

I don't really know what you are referring to with the Logitech stuff, but, depending on what OS you are running, there are a number of ways to setup your computer with remote control. The Remote Wonder is probably the easiest and cheapest (can be had on ebay for under $10).

http://www.logitech.com/repository/335/jpg/2408.1.0.jpg

That is a control pod for the z5500 Logitech speakers. It has volume control, and some other input/outputs on it. I was wondering if there was something along those lines of hooking up to this system.

Thanks again.

i have the same jaton system. I need to hook it up to my macbook pro, via a griffin firewave. it has 3 3.5mm audio outs. So do I just get 3 seperate RCA to 3.5mm cables? Or is there one cable that has 6 RCA to 3 3.5?? Thanks

hey, to answer your question, just do what Sensibull told me to do, get the 2 rca split to 3.5mm driver. Get 3 of them, and hook them up like in the diagram manual.

Also, if you dont wanna do that, I did find a cord which is same thing in one fancy package from Creative, just an overpriced rca to 3.5 in one cord (3 sets in 1). here's the link
http://us.creative.com/products/product.as...p;product=14309