IS there such an adapter? (Not exactly a computer question per se)

**Kane Knight** · 08-10-2008, 10:51 PM

Okay, so here's the deal. My Mom bought an HDTV for herself for her birthday last month, and she was complaining about the sound being low. I offered her up some old stereo equipment (A pre-fab tower from when I couldn't afford a real stereo) to allow her to come up with more volume without spending more money.

Problem is, when we get around to it, it turns out that she doesn't have any regular audio outs, only digital coax.

She doesn't want to spend a lot of money, and she doesn't want a lot of equipment. My Aunt told her that there should be an adapter or converter, though I thought it was unlikely (Digital Coax doesn't send the right kind of signal, if I remember right). Still, my Aunt said so, so now my Mom is sure that it's true. My first attempt at a search for something that would convert digital coax to something usable by analog RCA inputs came up with nothing but a couple of itmes that looked like they might do it, but cost more than a cheap HTS.

tl;dr version: Is there such a converter (Digital Coax to a signal usable by standard RCA components) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

**Vietnamese Crippler** · 08-11-2008, 01:43 AM

Define an arm and a leg; I've done a quick search around Google and it seems you need a decoder (such as the Technics SH-AC500D).

On Amazon, it goes for $200, and probably less on eBay.

**Bad Company** · 08-11-2008, 09:11 PM

I don't think there's anything available that is cheap.

You're telling me the TV doesn't have RCA out? That's fucking odd.

**Kane Knight** · 08-12-2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Company

I don't think there's anything available that is cheap.

You're telling me the TV doesn't have RCA out? That's fucking odd.

That's what I said. It's got like 900 inputs. It's a Sharp number, I don't remember the model off hand, but it's a 26". My Mother insisted that there was an input. Turns out the 32" model shares the same manual, and she was looking at that diagram. The ONLY output on this is digital coax. Not even a headphone jack. Hell, the speakers are on the bottom, which is where the problem comes in with the sound. She's got it cranked to 50 (max), and the stand itself muffles the sound.

I was pretty sure I was going to need some asort of decoder, and for the price of one of those 200 dollar decders (I came across them too), she could buy a cheap HTS or so. It'd probably be less intrusive, too. My old mini tower is kinda blocky.

It's unfortunate, though. The reason she bought this TV was the built-in DVD player, which is silent as fuck.

**Tazz Dan** · 08-22-2008, 03:43 AM

Hey bud. I've worked in this industry for 5 years and have never come across a Digital-RCA cable. It's weird that you guys have Digital Coax on your TV's, all the Sharps (Actually all HDTV's) in Australia run Digital Optical out, but they also have RCA out as well.

The only solution I can think of is probably a cheap HTS like you said with a dedicated receiver. I've heard bad reports on the decoders losing sound intermitedly so I'd probably stay away from them.

Good luck anyhow!!

08-10-2008, 10:51 PM	#1
Kane Knight Ron Paul 4 EVA Posts: 152,467	IS there such an adapter? (Not exactly a computer question per se) Okay, so here's the deal. My Mom bought an HDTV for herself for her birthday last month, and she was complaining about the sound being low. I offered her up some old stereo equipment (A pre-fab tower from when I couldn't afford a real stereo) to allow her to come up with more volume without spending more money. Problem is, when we get around to it, it turns out that she doesn't have any regular audio outs, only digital coax. She doesn't want to spend a lot of money, and she doesn't want a lot of equipment. My Aunt told her that there should be an adapter or converter, though I thought it was unlikely (Digital Coax doesn't send the right kind of signal, if I remember right). Still, my Aunt said so, so now my Mom is sure that it's true. My first attempt at a search for something that would convert digital coax to something usable by analog RCA inputs came up with nothing but a couple of itmes that looked like they might do it, but cost more than a cheap HTS. tl;dr version: Is there such a converter (Digital Coax to a signal usable by standard RCA components) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? �There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old�s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.� --John Rogers

08-11-2008, 01:43 AM	#2
Vietnamese Crippler Unnecessarily awesome Posts: 8,323	Define an arm and a leg; I've done a quick search around Google and it seems you need a decoder (such as the Technics SH-AC500D). On Amazon, it goes for $200, and probably less on eBay.

08-11-2008, 09:11 PM	#3
Bad Company Mad Posts: 26,228	I don't think there's anything available that is cheap. You're telling me the TV doesn't have RCA out? That's fucking odd.

08-22-2008, 03:43 AM	#5
Tazz Dan Y2KoTF Posts: 16,241	Hey bud. I've worked in this industry for 5 years and have never come across a Digital-RCA cable. It's weird that you guys have Digital Coax on your TV's, all the Sharps (Actually all HDTV's) in Australia run Digital Optical out, but they also have RCA out as well. The only solution I can think of is probably a cheap HTS like you said with a dedicated receiver. I've heard bad reports on the decoders losing sound intermitedly so I'd probably stay away from them. Good luck anyhow!!